Idaho Hand Institute is pleased to announce that Dr Esplin is now providing specialized orthopedic care in American Falls, Idaho at the Power County Family Clinic. Call 235-HAND to make your appointment; mention you would like to be seen in American Falls.

Winter is coming, with its blowing winds, cold temperatures, and snowy, icy conditions, which can lead to unexpected trips to your Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeons. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) reports falls on icy surfaces are a major cause of ankle and wrist sprains and fractures, exactly what you want to avoid in the winter! Learn some ways to avoid winter falls:

Shoulder joints are the most movable in your body, and are composed of just three bones: The humerus (upper arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collarbone) and four muscles.

Finger fractures, or phalanx fractures, happen quite frequently, because the digits are involved in nearly everything you do. A finger fracture can happen because of a fall, direct contact in sports, a slammed door or a power tool accident. If you have symptoms that include: deformity, swelling, tenderness, a shortened finger or inability to move your finger, you should come into the Idaho Hand Institute for a true diagnosis and treatment plan.

Fine motor skills are needed to successfully tie your shoes, eat with utensils, and pick up small objects. Though most people naturally develop their fine motor skills, some people we work with at the Idaho Hand Institute need to improve their skills because of an injury, surgery or progressive disease. Young children, stroke survivors and people affected by various disabilities can work to increase their fine motor skills. Here are some fun ways how:

When you were growing up, did you hear things like, “Don’t crack your knuckles, you’ll get arthritis.” Or “I swear the weather’s changing. I can feel it in my bones because of my arthritis.”  There is some truth to the latter sentence, but the first one is simply a wives tale. Arthritis is not caused by cracking your knuckles, but some people with the diagnosis can feel when the weather changes, because of the effects it has on the joints, like swelling or stiffness.

The school year has begun, bringing with it the excitement of another year of learning and the intensity and anticipation of athletic competition! Many young athletes have prepared for this year by honing their skills, training to defend their titles or seeking revenge for prior defeats.   Unfortunately, with such high level competition and preparation injuries often occur.  Even with protective gear and rule changes to protect the athletes, bones are broken, ligaments get torn and tendons and muscles become inflamed.

When to ice and when to heat…one of life’s little mysteries!  Not anymore!  We are going to set the record straight here and now.

Do you suffer from Cubital Tunnel?  Today’s article is to give you hope, that there is a light at the end of all this suffering!

First of all…what in the world is Trigger Finger? It isn’t just for the gun enthusiast! Trigger finger is when one of your fingers becomes stuck in a bent position. It isn’t something that just happens overnight.