EXPERT
Dr. Richard Stephen Gilbert, MD
Hand Surgeon
Richard S. Gilbert, M.D. is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in surgery of the hand and upper extremity. He is the Chief of the Hand Service at Syosset Hospital, the Director of the Hand Service at the Peconic Bay Medical Center, Director at Northwell Health and an Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He received a bachelor's degree from The Johns Hopkins University, and a medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical Center and a Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Gilbert’s specialty interest is in the treatment and reconstruction of fractures, soft tissue injuries, and neuropathies involving the hand and upper extremity. He employs both traditional and the most advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive techniques, such as endoscopic carpal tunnel release, minimally invasive fracture repair, and small joint arthroscopy. Dr. Gilbert is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The New York Society for Surgery of the Hand. He presently serves as the Secretary of The New York Society for Surgery of the Hand. He has published medical articles and presented at regional and national orthopedic conferences on conditions related to the hand and upper extremity. He has performed funded research related to the hand and upper extremity. Dr. Gilbert has received numerous awards and honors, including Castle Connolly Top Doctors, New York Magazine’s Best Doctor, New York Times Super Doctors, Newsday Top Doctors on Long Island, Best Doctors in America, Patients’ Choice Award and Most Compassionate Doctor.
32 years
Experience
Dr. Richard Stephen Gilbert, MD
- Great Neck, NY
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Accepting new patients
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Do store-bought braces work for carpal tunnel?
If indeed you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or even wrist tendinitis, then a brace can help with your symptoms. In terms of the particular type of brace, as long as it is comfortable READ MORE
If indeed you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or even wrist tendinitis, then a brace can help with your symptoms. In terms of the particular type of brace, as long as it is comfortable and fits well, a store or internet brace should be fine.
What's the best way to treat trigger finger?
The initial treatment for a trigger finger is a cortisone injection. Approximately 50-75% of patients with a trigger finger can be cured with 1-3 cortisone injections. If the READ MORE
The initial treatment for a trigger finger is a cortisone injection. Approximately 50-75% of patients with a trigger finger can be cured with 1-3 cortisone injections. If the injection(s) does not work, then the next step would be a simple surgical procedure.
What can I do for claw hand?
If you are developing a contracture secondary to a burn, then you should be referred to a hand therapist to work to stretch the fingers and minimize the scar tissue. For significant READ MORE
If you are developing a contracture secondary to a burn, then you should be referred to a hand therapist to work to stretch the fingers and minimize the scar tissue. For significant contractors, surgery may be indicated.
How long does it take for carpal tunnel syndrome to go away?
One way or another your symptoms should go away. It really depends upon the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome. Milder cases can resolve with time, splinting and sometimes READ MORE
One way or another your symptoms should go away. It really depends upon the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome. Milder cases can resolve with time, splinting and sometimes cortisone injections. In certain cases, although not all, if symptoms persist, surgery is indicated.
How do cortisone injections work for carpal tunnel?
Cortisone would decrease the swelling of the tendons that surround the median nerve. This could decrease the pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. This can relieve READ MORE
Cortisone would decrease the swelling of the tendons that surround the median nerve. This could decrease the pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. This can relieve symptoms; however, depending upon the severity of your carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms oftentimes recur after a cortisone injection. In addition, as you have had symptoms for 5 years, it is somewhat unlikely that a cortisone injection(s) will "cure" your carpal tunnel syndrome.
How effective is a splint for trigger finger syndrome?
There are some studies that demonstrate some effectiveness with splinting, but others do not. I have personally not found splinting to be too effective. It is more effective READ MORE
There are some studies that demonstrate some effectiveness with splinting, but others do not. I have personally not found splinting to be too effective. It is more effective if the trigger is mild and not chronic. I think that it is most helpful at night, especially if the trigger locks into flexion at night. All studies show that cortisone injections are the most effective non-operative treatment for trigger fingers. Cortisone injections have been shown to be curative in anywhere from 50-75% of the time.
Can iPads cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
The answer is no, an iPad should not result in carpal tunnel syndrome. However, if you do have underlying carpal tunnel syndrome, the excessive keyboarding or use of an iPad may READ MORE
The answer is no, an iPad should not result in carpal tunnel syndrome. However, if you do have underlying carpal tunnel syndrome, the excessive keyboarding or use of an iPad may exacerbate your symptoms, particularly if you keyboard with your wrists in a flexed position.
What exercises can I do to avoid carpal tunnel?
Exercises do not always help with carpal tunnel syndrome. That being said, if you have symptoms when you are typing at work, you should try taking breaks and doing stretching READ MORE
Exercises do not always help with carpal tunnel syndrome. That being said, if you have symptoms when you are typing at work, you should try taking breaks and doing stretching exercises and tendon and nerve glides. You can look up these exercises online. You may also consider wearing a carpal tunnel splint or soft wrist support while typing. If this does not help, then you should see a hand specialist.
Can I drink alcohol after local anesthesia?
I would not drink excessively after any kind of surgery. If it is only under local anesthesia, as long as you are not taking any pain medications, you could have a drink or 2. READ MORE
I would not drink excessively after any kind of surgery. If it is only under local anesthesia, as long as you are not taking any pain medications, you could have a drink or 2. If you have any intravenous sedation, general anesthesia, or you are taking pain medications, then you should not drink at all.
When is surgery for rheumatoid arthritis recommended?
The answer is possibly yes, possibly no. The only way to know is to see a hand surgeon. With the newer, more effective medications for rheumatoid arthritis, fewer patients require READ MORE
The answer is possibly yes, possibly no. The only way to know is to see a hand surgeon. With the newer, more effective medications for rheumatoid arthritis, fewer patients require surgery on their hands than they did in the past. However, if you have a significant joint deformity or inflammation, then it is possible that you may need surgery.
What type of anesthesia is used for hand surgery?
This varies widely, depending upon the surgeon, anesthesiologist and facility. Smaller cases can be performed under straight local anesthesia, with or without sedation. In more READ MORE
This varies widely, depending upon the surgeon, anesthesiologist and facility. Smaller cases can be performed under straight local anesthesia, with or without sedation. In more complicated cases, a regional anesthetic block can be given by the anesthesiologist. The advantage to regional blocks is that they provide for post-operative pain control. Under certain circumstances, general anesthesia may be necessary. It would be best for you to discuss your options with your hand surgeon.
How can I heal a sprained finger?
First off, you may want to see a physician or go to an urgent care clinic to be certain that there is not a fracture. Assuming there is no fracture, most sprain can be treated READ MORE
First off, you may want to see a physician or go to an urgent care clinic to be certain that there is not a fracture. Assuming there is no fracture, most sprain can be treated with early motion exercises, a compressive wrap to decrease the swelling, ice and/or heat and anti-inflammatory medications as necessary. The biggest problem with most finger sprains is that if they are immobilized for too long, then the joint can get stiff.
Should I see a hand surgeon to deal with my carpal tunnel?
Yes you should see a hand surgeon. You should confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. If it is the correct diagnosis and it is "bad," then you may need to have surgery READ MORE
Yes you should see a hand surgeon. You should confirm the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. If it is the correct diagnosis and it is "bad," then you may need to have surgery to prevent a permanent problem in the future.
Is there anything that I can do at home for carpal tunnel?
You should purchase a carpal tunnel splint which you can find at a local drugstore or online. Wear the splint at night and during the daytime when you are symptomatic. You can READ MORE
You should purchase a carpal tunnel splint which you can find at a local drugstore or online. Wear the splint at night and during the daytime when you are symptomatic. You can also try some gentle nerve glides - you can look this up online. If these do not help, then I would see a hand specialist to discuss other treatment options.
Does Dupuytren's contracture need surgery?
Dupuytren's Disease usually does not result in pain. In some patients it results in a contracture of the involved finger. If there is a contracture, depending upon the degree READ MORE
Dupuytren's Disease usually does not result in pain. In some patients it results in a contracture of the involved finger. If there is a contracture, depending upon the degree of contracture and disability, then treatment may be necessary. Treatment options include surgery, a Xiaflex injection, or percutaneous needle aponeurotomy. So the answer is that if treatment is necessary, then there are effective non-operative options. I would recommend that you consult a hand surgeon to discuss your particular case.
Wrist pain when trying to move hand. What should I do?
If it is bothering you, then I would suggest you see a hand/wrist specialist. You should at the least get it checked out and get an X-ray to make certain that this will not be READ MORE
If it is bothering you, then I would suggest you see a hand/wrist specialist. You should at the least get it checked out and get an X-ray to make certain that this will not be more of a problem in the future.
Trigger finger therapies?
Yes - cortisone injections are the recommended initial treatment for trigger fingers. Anywhere from 50-75% of patients with a trigger finger can be cured by cortisone injections. READ MORE
Yes - cortisone injections are the recommended initial treatment for trigger fingers. Anywhere from 50-75% of patients with a trigger finger can be cured by cortisone injections. The injections are more effective if you have not had long-standing symptoms. You may need anywhere from 1-3 injections. I would recommend you discuss this with your hand surgeon.
How long is the recovery after a carpal tunnel release?
Hi - it depends if you are having open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Recovery is somewhat quicker after endoscopic release. However, although recovery varies depending READ MORE
Hi - it depends if you are having open versus endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Recovery is somewhat quicker after endoscopic release. However, although recovery varies depending upon the patient, it is usually pretty quick after carpal tunnel release. Most often, you can use the hand and fingers right after the surgery and in most cases, you can start washing the hand within 3-4 days. Complete recovery can take 4-6 weeks, but usually after 1 week you can do most daily activities. I would suggest that you discuss this with your surgeon before your procedure.
Occupational therapy for carpal tunnel?
The answer is that, in general, occupational therapy has not been scientifically proven to provide long-term relief from carpal tunnel syndrome. Although it may provide short-term READ MORE
The answer is that, in general, occupational therapy has not been scientifically proven to provide long-term relief from carpal tunnel syndrome. Although it may provide short-term relief, occupational therapy is unlikely to make a long-term difference. That being said, you are not going to lose anything by trying. Other treatments that you should consider are carpal tunnel splints, particularly at night and possibly cortisone injections.
Can surgery be done for carpal tunnel?
If indeed you have carpal tunnel syndrome, yes, it is very treatable with surgery. The procedure is quite simple and takes about 10-15 minutes. That being said, you need to make READ MORE
If indeed you have carpal tunnel syndrome, yes, it is very treatable with surgery. The procedure is quite simple and takes about 10-15 minutes. That being said, you need to make certain that your diagnosis is carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and tingling in the hands, and not stiffness.
