Experienced surgeons in Missoula, Montana Surgery is a big decision no matter what the injury is. With some acute injuries the decision is easier because surgery is the only option for an optimal recovery, for example rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, or a complex bone fracture. Other joint pain may be chronic, which means that…
Hand and wrist
What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a specialty practice in orthopedics that focuses not only on the hand but can include the entire upper extremity. The overall goal of hand therapy is to restore as much return of hand/arm use as possible given the patient’s particular condition. The discipline is practiced by occupational and physical therapists. After treating hand and…
Caring for your cast
A bone can break if the external force is greater than the strength of the bone.The most common way to evaluate a fracture is with x-rays, which provide clear images of the bones. A fracture can heal successfully if the ends of the break at the fracture site are realigned and immobilized so that new…
Pain or injury at the base of the thumb
When you think about how much you use your thumbs in your day to day lives, it makes sense that an injury to this part of your body can be painful and debilitating. Years of stress to the base of the thumb (CMC) joint can lead to chronic painful osteoarthritis. While an acute injury to…
