Trigger finger is a painful condition wherein a bent finger or thumb gets locked and then intermittently snaps back to a straight alignment. The motion is akin to pulling and releasing a trigger, which gives it the name “trigger finger.” The condition may require hand or cosmetic surgery in exceptional cases, while mostly it can be treated non-surgically.

Dr. Asaf Yalif is triple board certified in orthopedic surgery, hand surgery, and plastic surgery. Dr. Yalif is a highly trained and experienced surgeon providing treatments for conditions such as trigger finger. Patients in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive treatments from Dr. Yalif.

Symptoms

People suffering from a trigger finger will commonly experience the following symptoms:

• Pain and discomfort
• Irritation
• A popping or clicking sensation when flexing or extending the digit
• A digit locked in a bent or straight position

The cosmetic surgeon and hand surgeon will advise the appropriate treatment for trigger finger according to the severity of symptoms. Advanced cases may need surgical release of the trigger finger to widen the constricted part of the pulley that is preventing the tendon from sliding smoothly. Leading plastic surgeon Dr. Yalif receives patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas for trigger finger.

Treatment Options

Medications

NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may provide relief from the pain and discomfort. However, these are temporary solutions and may not provide relief from the swelling constricting the tendon sheath or trapping the tendon.

Non-invasive Therapy

• The patient may be advised to take adequate rest and avoid activities that require repeated grasping or gripping or prolonged use of vibrating handheld machinery for about one month.
• Icing the palm several times a day may provide relief to some people, while some others may benefit more from warm water soaks.
• The surgeon may recommend wearing a splint at night to keep the affected finger in an extended position for up to six weeks. Splinting will help rest the tendon and prevent the curling of fingers into a fist while sleeping.
• Gentle stretching exercises may be performed to support mobility in the finger.

Steroid Injections

In more severe cases, injections of steroid medications may be placed in the tendon sheath to reduce inflammation and enable the tendon to glide freely. The treatment is effective in up to 90 percent of non-diabetic patients. Diabetics may benefit from it only in about half the cases. Repeat injection may be needed in some cases.

Percutaneous Release

The surgeon will numb the palm and then insert a sturdy needle into the tissue around the affected tendon. The needle will be moved along with the finger will help disrupt the constriction that is blocking the tendon’s smooth motion. The procedure may sometimes be performed under ultrasound control.

Surgery

In extreme cases, the surgeon will work through a small incision near the base of the affected finger. The constricted section of the tendon sheath will be corrected through the incision. The procedure is usually performed at a surgical room.

For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.

Arthritis is a common condition afflicting millions of people. Inflammation in one or more joints occurs in this condition, leading to cartilage deterioration. The condition may require orthopedic and plastic surgery in extreme cases. A degenerative disease such as arthritis should be treated only by an expert to receive safe and successful results.

Dr. Asaf Yalif holds the distinction of being triple board certified in hand surgery, orthopedic surgery and cosmetic surgery. Dr. Yalif’s insights and experience in soft tissue, joint and bone related problems such as arthritis enable him to offer customized treatment options. He provides various procedures to patients in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding locations.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis leads to irritation and inflammation in joints, causing cartilage damage. With this damage, the bones begin to rub directly against each other, and their movement becomes restricted and painful. Arthritis must be treated by a qualified hand surgeon or another orthopedic or cosmetic surgeon with expertise in treating this condition. If arthritis is left unchecked, it can result in severe discomfort, immobilization, and impairment.

Types of Arthritis

There are many types of arthritis, but two of the most common forms are:

Osteoarthritis

This is the most common type of arthritis. It is also known as wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis because the affected cartilage is worn down by repeated joint movement over a period of time.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s own defense system attacks the joints. It leads to the joints becoming irritated and inflamed, and eventually resulting in decay and degeneration.

Dr. Yalif is a leading plastic surgeon receiving patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas for arthritis and other conditions.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical

Non-surgical treatments are the first line of defense against the degeneration of bone and cartilage. It may include treating the symptoms with pain medication and altered lifestyle. Injectable drugs such as steroids or anti-inflammatories and immobilization, splinting, and physical therapy may also be used. Non-surgical options may not work when the degeneration has progressed to a point where the joints are severely damaged or unresponsive to non-surgical solutions.

Surgical

A number of surgical treatment options are available to treat severe forms of arthritis. During the pre-operative consultations, the surgeon will evaluate the patient’s condition and their personal goals. Based on these inputs, a customized surgical plan will be created to achieve maximum benefit in a minimally invasive manner.

Advanced, less invasive arthroscopic techniques are commonly used to treat arthritic joints. In more severe cases of joint damage and cartilage deterioration, traditional open surgery may be performed. Open surgery will be more invasive, involving a longer recovery period.

Surgery is usually required for one or more of the following four purposes: cartilage repair and regeneration, joint reconstruction, joint fusion and joint replacement. If arthritis was caused due to a specific disease, the treatment may have to be more specific. The surgeon will discuss various treatment options with the patient and provide most effective surgical and non-surgical solutions.

For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.

While cosmetic surgery can be performed in almost any area of the body, the hand is one of the complex areas that should preferably be treated only by a specialist. Hand, arm, and fingers are common areas which can experience a traumatic injury. Congenital deformities or degenerative diseases may also occur in the hand and upper extremity.

Dr. Asaf Yalif is a leading hand surgeon as well as a plastic surgeon offering specialized expertise for both cosmetic and functional problems related to the hands. Dr. Yalif heads Y Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a state of the art surgical practice providing cutting edge procedures to patients in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding locations.

Credentials

Dr. Yalif holds the distinction of being the only surgeon in the Atlanta area who is triple board certified in hand surgery, plastic surgery and orthopedics. His advanced training and experience enable him to treat a wide range of complex problems of the hands related to the soft tissue, bone and joint. He employs leading edge invasive and non-invasive techniques to restore full functionality as well as aesthetics of the hands.

Expertise of a Hand Surgeon

A qualified hand specialist has acquired the necessary training and experience to diagnose and treat a variety of problems related to the different structures in the hand, wrist, fingers and forearm. The specialist can provide best outcomes if they have additional training as a cosmetic surgeon.

Hand is a unique part of the body that comprises bone, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, skin, nerves and blood vessels. All of these elements must be in harmony with each other and in good operating condition in order for the hand to function well. These structures have a complex and sensitive relationship with each other. If any of these structures is afflicted with a disease or injury, it can impair hand function.

In addition to their board certified specialty training in orthopedic surgery, general surgery or plastic surgery, a hand specialist will also have received additional specialized training in the treatment of complex hand problems. The specialist can qualify for membership of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand when they have received a full year of such additional training. They must also clear rigorous certifying examinations.

Problems Treated

A hand specialist will usually have the expertise to treat problems related not just to the hand and upper extremity, but also the elbow, arm and shoulder. Depending on their focus area, the hand specialist may treat only children, only adults, or both. Common problems addressed by a hand specialist include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Wrist Pain
• Tennis Elbow
• Fractures of the Hand, Wrist or Forearm
• Sports Injuries of the Hand and Wrist
• Trigger Finger

Other conditions treated by a hand surgeon may include nerve and tendon injuries, arthritis, and limb differences occurring by birth. In addition to surgical treatments, the hand surgeon may also provide non-surgical solutions such as medications, therapy, splints, and injections. Dr. Yalif receives patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas for hand surgery.

For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.

Your hand and its upper extremities have an intricate structure, and any orthopedic or cosmetic surgery related to this region should only be performed by a surgeon with specialized training in hand procedures. Dr. Asaf Yalif holds the unique distinction of being the only surgeon in the Atlanta area who is triple board certified in hand surgery, plastic surgery, and orthopedics.

Dr. Yalif has a successful track record of treating a wide range of soft tissue, joint and bone problems of the hand and upper extremity. He employs cutting-edge surgical and non-surgical techniques to eliminate discomfort and restore the full functionality as well as aesthetics of the hand. Dr. Yalif is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing hand procedures to patients in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding locations.

Arthroscopic Surgery

Hand surgery can be performed effectively using advanced arthroscopic techniques to make the procedure more precise and less invasive. A variety of hand and wrist related conditions can be addressed using arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Yalif is a leading hand orthopedic surgery expert as well as plastic surgeon providing advanced treatments for these conditions.

Chronic Wrist Pain

To determine a clear diagnosis of chronic wrist pain, the surgeon may use exploratory arthroscopic surgery, if other tests fail to provide clear answers. Following a wrist injury, there may be areas of cartilage damage, inflammation, or other abnormalities. These conditions may be treated arthroscopically or with traditional orthopedic surgery.

Wrist Fractures

If the bone of the wrist gets fractured, tiny bone fragments may stay inside the joint. The hand surgeon may use wrist arthroscopy to remove these fragments, align the broken pieces of the bone, and provide stability with screws, pins or wires. Dr. Yalif receives patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas for this procedure.

Ganglion Cysts

These cysts will usually grow from a stalk between two of the bones in the wrist. The surgeon can use arthroscopic surgery to remove the stalk. This will cut down the chances of recurrence of the cysts.

Ligament/TFCC Tears

Ligaments are fibrous bands of connective tissue that provide support to the joints. The TFCC is a cushioning structure in the wrist. Tearing of ligaments or the TFCC or both may occur when a person falls on an outstretched hand. This can lead to pain when the hand is moved. The surgeon can repair these tears with arthroscopic surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that is marked by tingling or numbness in the hand, and may sometimes cause pain in the arm. If the carpal tunnel syndrome fails to respond to non-surgical treatments, the surgeon may decide to repair the area surgically.

This will involve cutting the ligament roof and increasing the size of the tunnel. This will reduce pressure on the nerve and relieve symptoms. This procedure can be performed using traditional orthopedic surgery or with an arthroscope.

Recovery

The wrist should be kept elevated for the first two to three days, and the bandage should be kept dry. Initial swelling can be treated with an ice pack. The surgeon will advise specific exercises to help maintain wrist motion and rebuild strength.

For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.