The weeks surrounding the Fourth of July bring backyard gatherings, community fireworks shows, and unfortunately a sharp rise in hand and finger injuries. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that hands and fingers are the single most frequently injured body part in fireworks incidents, accounting for more than a third of all fireworks-related emergency room visits.
Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, typically from overuse or repetitive activity. Mild to moderate cases usually resolve within four to six weeks with relative rest, ice, and physical therapy. Chronic cases or partial tendon tears may take three to six months or longer to fully recover.
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. Without enough vitamin D, bones become soft, weak, and more prone to fracture. Adults generally need 600 to 2,000 IU daily, and many people in Southern California are deficient despite living in a sunny climate.
Trigger finger is a condition where inflammation narrows the tendon sheath in a finger, causing it to catch or lock when bent. Treatment ranges from rest and splinting to corticosteroid injections or minor surgery, depending on severity and how long symptoms have been present.
Total knee replacement is a surgical procedure that removes damaged cartilage and bone from the knee joint and replaces them with metal and plastic implants. Most patients return to walking within days and resume normal activities within three to six months.
