Online Health Information

This list of resources was compiled by Fletcher Allen's health professionals and the Frymoyer Community Health Resource Center - your resource for trusted health care content. For more information, call (802) 847-8821, or see the Frymoyer Community Health Resource Center's website.

From Our Health Library: Helpful Articles, Tools and Resources

Fletcher Allen's health library offers a range of articles, interactive tools and decision points that can help keep you informed about the care of your hand.

Dupuytren's Disease: Should I have hand surgery?

Your provider may recommend hand surgery to treat Dupuytren's Disease. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Use our interactive tool to learn about hand surgery as a treatment option for Dupuytren's Disease. Take the quiz.

Finger, Hand and Wrist Injuries

Finger, hand, or wrist injuries most commonly occur during: sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, work or projects around the home - especially if using machinery such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, or hand tools, accidental falls and fistfights. Learn more about finger, hand and wrist injuries including checking your symptoms, prevention and injury treatments.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, tingling, and other problems in your hand because of pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. The median nerve and several tendons run from your forearm to your hand through a small space in your wrist called the carpal tunnel. The median nerve controls movement and feeling in your thumb and first three fingers (not your little finger). Learn more about carpal tunnel syndrome, what increases your risk, and how carpal tunnel is diagnosed and treated,

Surgery: What to expect

This is a more general topic on surgery, including helpful information on what to expect before (pre-op), during and after (post-op) surgery.

Open Carpal Tunnel Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

During open carpal tunnel release surgery, an incision is made at the base of the palm of the hand. This allows the doctor to see the transverse carpal ligament. After the ligament is cut, itreleases pressure on the median nerve and relieves the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Learn about Open Carpal Tunnel Surgery as a treatment option for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including why it is done, what the procedure involves, and what to expect after surgery.

Endosocpic Carpal Tunnel Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Endoscopic surgery uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached (endoscope). The endoscope is guided through a small incision in the wrist (single-portal technique) or at the wrist and palm (two-portal technique). The endoscope lets the doctor see structures in the wrist, such as the transverse carpal ligament, without opening the entire area with a large incision.

Learn about Endoscopic Tunnel Surgery as a treatment option for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including why it is done, what the procedure involves, and what to expect after surgery.