Orthopedics
Our Services
Wrist and Hand
Basal Joint (Thumb) Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative arthritis, is a process that occurs with aging and describes the deterioration of the joint cartilage. Thumb arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis in the hand.
Thumb arthritis is also known as basal joint arthritis. It is more common in women, though certainly men can develop this type of problem.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Common condition that causes pain numbness and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerve to the hand, the median nerve, is squeezed or compressed as it travels to the wrist.
Treatments options include non-surgical and surgical options. Non-surgical treatment includes splinting, steroid injections or anti-inflammatory medications. If these treatment options fail, your surgeon may recommend surgery.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome/Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow
Exact cause of this condition is unknown, but the ulnar nerve can become entrapped due to the narrow space the nerve travels through.
For more information regarding cubital tunnel syndrome, please visit https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Tightening and thickening of the tissue in the palms and fingers, causing the fingers to be pulled towards the palm. This condition limits use of the hand and makes it impossible to fully open fingers.
For more information regarding Dupuytren’s contracture, please visit https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/dupuytrens-contracture
Ganglion Cyst
Fluid filled cysts, most common mass or lump in the hand, which frequently develops on the back of the wrist. This condition is common and may or may not be painful and can be treated surgically or non-surgically, depending on severity of symptoms and it’s effect on activities of daily living (ADL’s).
For more information regarding ganglion cysts, please visit https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/ganglion-cyst
Trigger Finger
A condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your finger. Most commonly affecting the ring finger and thumb. This condition can be treated with non-surgical or surgical treatment options. Non-surgical treatment options include injections, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or hand therapy. If non-surgical treatment options fail, your surgeon may recommend surgery.
For more information regarding trigger finger, please visit https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/trigger-finger
Joint Replacement
Shoulder, hip, knee replacement
Total joint replacement surgery involves removing parts of the arthritic or damaged joint and replacing it with a prosthesis made of ceramic, plastic or metal device. It is designed to reproduce the movement of a healthy joint. Your surgeon at East Hawaii Health Orthopedics may recommend joint replacement surgery if you have severe osteoarthritis and conservative management options such as physical therapy, medications and injections have failed to reduce pain and improve mobility of the affected joint. Please contact East Hawaii Health Orthopedics or ask your primary care provider to refer you for a consultation if you suffer from shoulder, hip or knee osteoarthritis.
For information on how to prepare for your joint replacement surgery, please visit Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery – OrthoInfo – AAOS
Shoulder replacement surgery
Your surgeon may recommend shoulder replacement surgery to relieve pain and repair damage to the shoulder joint. Conditions that may result in a shoulder replacement include osteoarthritis, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, inflammatory disorders, and osteonecrosis.
For more information regarding shoulder osteoarthritis, please visit Arthritis of the Shoulder – OrthoInfo – AAOS
There are two types of shoulder replacements performed by East Hawaii Health Orthopedics at Hilo Medical Center:
Total shoulder replacement:
Also known as the standard shoulder replacement, this technique replaces the diseased joint surface with a polished metal ball attached to a stem and a plastic socket. Please visit Shoulder Joint Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS for more information.
Reverse total shoulder replacement:
In a reverse total shoulder replacement, the socket and metal ball are switched: A metal ball is attached to the shoulder bone, and a plastic socket is attached to the upper arm bone. For more information regarding this specific technique, please watch Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement Surgical Video – OrthoInfo – AAOS or visit Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS
Knee Replacement
Knee arthroplasty, also known as a total knee replacement, is commonly performed when knee arthritis causes severe pain, chronic inflammation and stiffness that impairs mobility and quality of life. Failed conservative management efforts such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections is an indicator that a knee replacement may be recommended.
For more information regarding knee osteoarthritis, visit knee-osteoarthritis.pdf (aaos.org) .
Our surgeons at East Hawaii Health Orthopedics offer several types of knee replacements:
Primary total knee replacement
Involves first removing the damaged bone and cartilage surfaces. It is then replaced by a metal prosthetic and the patella is replaced with a plastic implant to create a prosthetic joint that can improve function and pain. Please visit the following link Total Knee Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS or watch an informational video at Total Knee Replacement Animation – OrthoInfo -AAOS for more information.
Partial knee replacement :
In unicompartmental knee replacement (also called partial knee replacement) only a portion of the knee is resurfaced. For more information about a partial knee replacement, please visit Unicompartmental (Partial) Knee Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS
Revision knee replacement:
Primary knee replacements are normally very successful in improving patients’ mobility and quality of life, but there are occasions when the implant may require revision to replace the original prosthesis. This can involve replacing one or all of the prosthesis components. For more information regarding knee replacement revisions, please visit Revision Total Knee Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS.
If you are scheduled for a knee replacement, we highly encourage you to view the appropriate links above and the East Hawaii Health Orthopedics post-op instructions.
Hip Replacement
A total hip replacement may be recommended when damage caused by osteoarthritis or a fracture has occurred. With a total hip arthroplasty, also known as total hip replacement, the damaged or diseased bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with a prosthesis, made of metal or ceramic. This procedure can improve function and decrease pain. For more information regarding hip osteoarthritis, please visit Osteoarthritis of the Hip Animation – OrthoInfo – AAOS
For more information regarding total hip replacements, please visit Total Hip Replacement – OrthoInfo – AAOS or view the link to this detailed animation Osteoarthritis of the Hip Animation – OrthoInfo – AAOS
If you are scheduled for a total hip replacement, please see East Hawaii Health’s post-op instructions: link to our instructions