EXPERT
Dr. Michael Pensak
Hand Surgeon
Dr. Michael Pensak is a hand surgeon practicing in Toms River, NJ. Dr. Pensak specializes in caring for hand, wrist and forearm problems without the option of surgery unless necessary. Many hand surgeons are also experts in diagnosing and caring for shoulder and elbow problems and tend to suggest non-surgical treatments such as hand therapy or physical therapy.
15 years
Experience
Dr. Michael Pensak
- Toms River, NJ
- SUNY Downstate
- Accepting new patients
No results found
Does Dupuytren's contracture need surgery?
Not all Dupuytrens contracture requires surgery. But if it is impairing your occupation, it likely will need surgery to correct it. Recurrence is multi factorial, but surgery has READ MORE
Not all Dupuytrens contracture requires surgery. But if it is impairing your occupation, it likely will need surgery to correct it. Recurrence is multi factorial, but surgery has the lowest recurrence rate of all treatments available. The disease is caused in part by your genetics. Surgery is unable to correct your genetic makeup.
I have been diagnosed with trigger finger syndrome. What is the course of treatment for this?
Treatment course typically includes corticosteroid injection to the pulley sheath of the affected digit or thumb. Upwards of two injections spaced out over a month apart. If two READ MORE
Treatment course typically includes corticosteroid injection to the pulley sheath of the affected digit or thumb. Upwards of two injections spaced out over a month apart. If two injections do not get rid of the symptoms, a surgical release is usually warranted.
Are my symptoms a sign of nerve compression?
This sounds very consistent with compression neuropathy. Most likely carpal tunnel syndrome. You should be evaluated by a hand surgeon. Likely first line of treatment would be READ MORE
This sounds very consistent with compression neuropathy. Most likely carpal tunnel syndrome. You should be evaluated by a hand surgeon. Likely first line of treatment would be a night time wrist splint depending on your physical exam findings.
I have a ganglion cyst in my left wrist
Depending on where the cyst is it may or may not be amenable to drainage. Drainage has a very high, almost guaranteed rate of recurrence associates with it. Surgery is usually READ MORE
Depending on where the cyst is it may or may not be amenable to drainage. Drainage has a very high, almost guaranteed rate of recurrence associates with it. Surgery is usually definitive but even that can have a 15-20% recurrence rate.
I am experiencing stiffness in my finger after an injury. What could be the reason?
This could be the result of a fracture or a severe sprain. It would be wise to get high-quality x-rays and be evaluated by a hand surgeon as soon as possible.
How do cortisone injections work for carpal tunnel?
Cortisone can reduce edema and inflammation around the nerve and can temporary improve symptoms for carpal tunnel. In my experience, the injections are rarely curative. They can READ MORE
Cortisone can reduce edema and inflammation around the nerve and can temporary improve symptoms for carpal tunnel. In my experience, the injections are rarely curative. They can help predict response to surgery and so in that regard can be useful for prognostication prior to surgery.
How long does it take for an incision to heal after hand surgery?
By 2 weeks most hand wounds have accrued enough strength to perform basic activities of daily living to the point where there would be little fear of the wound breaking down.
Is a partially torn UCL of thumb serious?
Many partial tears can go on to heal without surgical intervention. These are not life threatening injuries. However, the morbidity associated with the condition depends on what READ MORE
Many partial tears can go on to heal without surgical intervention. These are not life threatening injuries. However, the morbidity associated with the condition depends on what you need your hands for in life and recreation. Some patients can cope fine without surgical intervention while others may not fare so well.
Do store-bought braces work for carpal tunnel?
These are appropriate braces and can mitigate symptoms, particularly the night time symptoms. However, it always best to be evaluated by a hand surgeon for this common and easily READ MORE
These are appropriate braces and can mitigate symptoms, particularly the night time symptoms. However, it always best to be evaluated by a hand surgeon for this common and easily treatable hand ailment.
Can anxiety cause pain in the shoulders and arms?
Anxiety can manifest with aches and pains but this is best dealt with by consulting a mental health professional as this is outside the scope of orthopedics.
After Carpal Tunnel Surgery?
It is not uncommon to have pain after carpal tunnel release. Assuming no medical contraindications Tylenol and ibuprofen are appropriate analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents READ MORE
It is not uncommon to have pain after carpal tunnel release. Assuming no medical contraindications Tylenol and ibuprofen are appropriate analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents respectively. Peak inflammation should be about 3-4 days after surgery. If your symptoms have not started to subside or improve by then contact your surgeon.
Hand pain?
Could represent a fracture or soft tissue contusion. Either way you should get high quality hand xrays and wrist xrays and followup with an orthopedic hand surgeon ASAP
I am experiencing numbness in my hands after a cancer treatment. Should I visit a doctor?
It’s possible that this could be a side effect of your chemotherapy. There are a few chemotherapeutic agents that can cause damage to nervous system elements which can manifest READ MORE
It’s possible that this could be a side effect of your chemotherapy. There are a few chemotherapeutic agents that can cause damage to nervous system elements which can manifest as numbness and tingling. Alternatively, it could be carpal tunnel, the most common reason for numbness and tingling in the hands. It would be wise to see an orthopedic hand specialist soon.
Michael J. Pensak, MD
Michael J. Pensak, MD
If I sprain my hand, should I put a hot compress or a cold compress?
Cold will help reduce acute inflammation during the first 48-72 hours after an injury. However, if they window of time has elapsed it will likely not provide much of a benefit. READ MORE
Cold will help reduce acute inflammation during the first 48-72 hours after an injury. However, if they window of time has elapsed it will likely not provide much of a benefit. Heat may afford you some temporary relief particularly before you warm your hand up for therapy and range of motion exercises
Do I need to go to hospital for a dislocated hand?
Yes. Whether a finger or wrist joint dislocation, these must be identified promptly and reduced back to their native anatomical location.
When should I go to the doctor for hand pain?
When your pain is significant enough that it impacts your quality of life.
Pin in my finger
Pins can come loose if bone stock is poor or they are left in too long. Most pins in fingers are left in for 4-6 weeks, rarely ever longer than that.
What could be the reason for my frozen shoulder?
Often this is idiopathic which means it came out of nowhere. It is a common condition. Often self limiting. Occasionally happens after trauma. It can be associated with endocrine READ MORE
Often this is idiopathic which means it came out of nowhere. It is a common condition. Often self limiting. Occasionally happens after trauma. It can be associated with endocrine disorders and most commonly diabetes. First line treatment are NSAIDs, oral and or intra articular steroid shots and a stretching program under the supervision of a therapist. Occasionally surgery is warranted.
Can you rebuild muscle after nerve damage?
Sometimes atrophy in a muscle can reverse but this depends on how severe the nerve compression or injury is, patients age, underlying comorbidities and how long there has been READ MORE
Sometimes atrophy in a muscle can reverse but this depends on how severe the nerve compression or injury is, patients age, underlying comorbidities and how long there has been a nerve lesion present. Most muscle will not regenerate after nerve damage has been present for 1-2 years.
Do you need hand surgery for a broken finger?
This depends on multiple factors including the mechanism of injury, any degree of displacement or malrotation, associated injuries, occupation, etc. Many finger fractures can be READ MORE
This depends on multiple factors including the mechanism of injury, any degree of displacement or malrotation, associated injuries, occupation, etc. Many finger fractures can be treated without surgery with buddy taping and early range of motion.
