- ArthritisClicking, catching, or locking of any one of the five fingers. Trigger finger is more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and other connective tissues disorders. Treatment of trigger finger includes anti-inflammatory drug, steroid injections into the tendon sheath and surgical release of the tendon.
- Primary Care
- Emergency Care
- ColonoscopyAt present, many medical organizations recommend a variety of screening procedures; mammograms, pap smear, colonoscopy, etc. We specialize in diagnosis and treatment of unusual findings such as growths, lumps and polyps. Our office can assist by performing your colonoscopy which is a painless non-surgical test. We can also cooperate with your family doctor in the interpretation and treatment of findings from other cancer screening tests.
- Pregnancy
- Colon CancerAbout one out of every five individuals has a predisposition to developing growths in their bowel. These growths can degenerate into cancer in a percentage of people. Removal of polyps can greatly reduce the risk of colon cancer which is the second most common cancer in nonsmokers over the age of forty. These polyps can generally be treated without surgery; where surgery is needed this can be done through small incisions.
- Carpal Tunnel SyndromeRepeated movements over years can lead to pain in the hand, injured nerves (carpal tunnel syndrome), locking of fingers (trigger finger), loss of movement or pain especially affecting the thumb. Many of these conditions can be improved with simple treatment. Treatments including injections, medications and/or surgery can reduce pain and improve function.
- Diabetes Care
- Thyroid
- Thyroid CancerNodules in the thyroid have about a 20% chance of being cancer. Thyroid cancer is very treatable and most thyroid cancer patients will live a normal life expectancy. Nodules can be evaluated by ultrasound and biopsied with a fine needle as previously discussed. Surgery is an outpatient procedure to remove an involved area. In some cases radioactive iodine is given as a pill after surgery to destroy remaining cancer. Most nodules occur in women and younger women tend to have excellent results with treatment. If you have any questions about today's topic, please contact your family physician or call our office for further information.
- UltrasoundInjuries to veins or arteries can lead to swelling and/or pain. We are happy to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems which can involve the use of special stockings and or medication. We can perform ultrasound and plethysmography (the measuring of venus pressures) in our office to diagnosis of these conditions.
- X-Rays
- ChemotherapyIn the past, women were frightened to lose a breast due to surgery for cancer. Now, smaller operations, guided by X-Rays, can remove only the abnormal tissue in most cases. Radioactive tracers and dyes are used to detect the spread of a growth and to remove the growth with limited side effects. Genetic markers of tumors can be analyzed to aid chemotherapy. Chemotherapy, radiation, hormonal and genetic treatments currently make most breast cancers curable. There now exist more localized methods of radiation treatment which limit side effects. All methods of treatment to include surgery continue to improve the quality of life and survival of these patients.
- General Surgery
- Hand SurgeryThere are a variety of causes of hand pain if you have not had a severe injury. These can include pressure o nerves and/or tendons. These problems can lead to loss of function. Dr. Hawkins – Rivers our new associate can assist in the evaluation of hand pain; he has just completed a fellowship in hand surgery at Baylor University in Houston, TX.
- GangreneGangrene of the fingertip occurs most commonly in patients with Diabetes. However it is not limited to this patient population. These infections are quite devastating. Treatment involves surgical debridement with strong antibiotics. Amputation is usually required to eliminate the infection because the remaining dead tissue does not allow for a functional digit. Symptoms include a painful usually discolored fingertip, with a foul odor. Immediate medical treatment is warranted.
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- GynecomastiaBreast cancer is about a hundred times less common in men than in women. However, any painless enlarging lump, especially in an older man, should be reported to a doctor. Painful lumps occur in different age groups. Boys and younger men can have swelling (gynecomastia) around the time of puberty. Sometimes this resolves without treatment. Older men can have painless or painful swelling, sometimes associated with liver problems. Mammograms and ultrasound can be used in men much as they are used in women: to determine if a lump is cancer or to guide a biopsy. Since the breasts are smaller, biopsy in men is relatively easy and painless.
- Skin Cancer“Mass” is a medical term for a skin lump or bump. The term “nevus” is used for a pigmented (colored) skin lesion or “mole”. Many older people develop waxy growths (keratosis) without ulcers or pigment. If such areas are sun-exposed, reddish, gritty, ulcerated or non-healing they may become a precursor to skin cancer. Areas that develop knobs (horns) should also be biopsied. A biopsy can be done relatively painlessly in the doctor’s office with a tiny punch. If you have any questions about this topic contact your family physician, dermatologist or our office.
- Cyst
- UlcerDoes eating make your pain better or worse? Pain that improves with food can indicate a stomach ulcer. This condition can be treated with medicine. Pain that worsens with food is associated with multiple causes including gallstones, bowel inflammation, or other
- LesionsA felon is a subcutaneous abscess (pus) of the distal fingertip. These lesions typically occur after injury to the finger, such as a puncture wound or in response to a retained foreign body in the finger. Patients with Diabetes or autoimmune disorders are more susceptible to this type of infection. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and possibly discharge (pus) from the wound. Treatment options for a felon, or any abscess, include surgical drainage of the abscess, antibiotics and elevation of the extremity.
- Burns