In the video below, we explain (in dutch) why a newborn baby is put under a lamp. Prolonged jaundice or elevated bilirubin can present at birth. The baby will lay under a special lamp for a while. This is a treatment that is common, it does not hurt and is not something you need to worry about. 

A tennis elbow (also known as epicondylitis lateralis)is caused by an overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm that attach to the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). The inflammation occurs at the muscles and tendons that provide stretching of the wrist and fingers. The inflammation results from chronic overuse and often as a result of repetitive movements, both at work and recreationally.  In a later stage, very small tears (microtears) may develop in the tendon and in a final stage, the tears may expand further.

Symptoms

People with tennis elbow also experience discomfort during daily activities. Wringing movements, in particular, but also lifting objects becomes more difficult and painful.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made partly clinically at the consultation on the basis of specific symptoms (pain at the outer tubercle of the elbow and pain when stretching the wrist against resistance). If necessary, additional imaging (RX, ultrasound, MRI) will be taken to confirm the diagnosis.

G‍eneral treatment

Treatment is initially non-surgical with local ice application, rest, anti-inflammatories and kinesitherapy. Optionally, a brace can help improve pain symptoms.

Since it is an overexertion, adjustment of work or sports environment is important to achieve healing and avoid a relapse.

If improvement is insufficient, a cortisone injection around the tendon can be used to suppress local inflammation. However, the number of cortisone injections are limited to 2 to 3 per year.

More and more, cortisone injections are being replaced by PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injection.  

This involves taking a blood sample from the patient, centrifuging it at high speed which separates the plasma from the rest of the blood. That plasma contains many platelets and growth factors that can provide healing for the diseased tendon. The obtained plasma is then injected into and around the inflamed tendon. Usually 2 PRP injections are given, about 2 weeks apart. The success rate is around 50-70%.

ESWT (extra corporeal shock wave) is also a possible treatment for tennis elbow. This involves stimulating blood flow to the tendon through shock waves to promote healing. This treatment is done at the Department of Physical Medicine.

If the previous treatments do not bring sufficient improvement, an operation is an option. During surgery, the diseased part of the tendon will be removed and the tendon will be anchored back to the bone.

The surgery is possible via day hospitalization. After surgery, the elbow is sometimes immobilized for a short period of time. The healing process may take 3 to 4 months.‍

Golfers' elbow (medial epicondylitis) is an inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm that attach to the inside of the elbow (medial epicondyle). 

Most often inflammation is caused by localized overuse due to repetitive movements at work or recreationally. The symptoms can also develop after a trauma.                     

The affected muscles and tendons provide flexion of the wrist and fingers. As the inflammation progresses, (micro)tears in the tendon can occur.

Symptoms

People with golfers' elbow have pain at the bony tubercle on the inside of the elbow. They also experience loss of strength and pain during day-to-day activities, such as wringing or cleaning windows.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made partly clinically at the consultation based on specific symptoms (pain at the inner tubercle of the elbow and pain when bending the wrist against resistance). If necessary, additional imaging (RX,ultrasound, MRI) will be taken to confirm the diagnosis.

‍General treatment

Treatment is initially non-surgical with local ice application, rest, anti-inflammatories and physical therapy. Optionally, a brace can help improve pain symptoms.

Since it is an overexertion, adjustment of work or sport is important to achieve healing and avoid relapse.

If there is insufficient improvement, a cortisone injection may be used around the tendon to suppress local inflammation. However, the number of cortisone injections are limited to 2 to 3 per year.

More and more, cortisone injections are being replaced by PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injection. This involves taking a blood sample from the patient, centrifuging it at high speed, separating the plasma from the rest of the blood.

In that plasma there are many platelets and growth factors that can provide healing for the diseased tendon. The obtained plasma is then injected into and around the inflamed tendon. Usually 2 PRP injections are given, about 2 weeks apart. The success rate is around 50-70%.

ESWT (extra corporeal shock wave) is also a possible treatment for golfers' elbow. This involves stimulating blood flow to the tendon through shock waves to promote healing. This treatment is done at the Department of Physical Medicine.

If the previous treatments do not bring sufficient improvement, operation may be an option. During  surgery, the diseased part of the tendon will be removed and the tendon will be anchored back to the bone.

The surgery is done via day hospitalization. After surgery, the elbow is sometimes immobilized for a short period of time. The healing process may take 3 to 4 months.

The Ulnar nerve is a nerve that runs in a tunnel (cubital tunnel) on the inside of the elbow, just behind the bony protusion. When the tunnel is narrowed, the nerve becomes pinched and symptoms arise.

Several factors can cause narrowing of the canal and entrapment of the nerve: certain prolonged posture, local pressure on the nerve, trauma, osteoarthritis or inflammation of the elbow joint, instability of the nerve, scarring, ...

Symptoms

Injury of the Ulnaris nerve causes lividity and tingling in the little and ring fingers. Sometimes it is also accompanied by loss of strength.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made after clinical examination at the consultation with the doctor. In addition, a nerve examination (EMG) is usually requested to confirm the diagnosis. If necessary and to rule out other causes, imaging (RX, Ultrasound, MRI) is sometimes indicated.

‍General treatment

The non-operative treatment consists of anti-inflammatories or analgesics. Local pressure on the nerve on the inside of the elbow should be avoided as much as possible. If necessary, a brace can be worn at night to avoid prolonged flexion of the elbow.

If this does not improve enough, surgery can be performed. During surgery the nerve is released so that there is no longer entrapment at the level of the tunnel on the inside of the elbow. If the nerve does not stay in place nicely after release, the nerve is moved more forward (anterior transposition). The procedure is performed via day hospitalization. It is the intention to move the elbow quickly after the operation. Only if the nerve is moved forward during the operation will a plaster cast be applied for a short period after the operation. It can take up to a year for the symptoms to completely disappear. 

A carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by increased pressure on a nerve (median nerve) in your wrist canal, also known as carpal tunnel.

A carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition in both men and women. It is seen more in people with diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatism. It can also occur frequently in pregnant women. However, often no underlying problems or conditions are seen.

Symptoms

The complaints are usually numbness and tingling in the hand and sometimes accompanied by pain. The complaints are usually located on the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger or part of them. Over time, fine motor skills and strength may also be affected. Most complaints are often present at night and can lead to a bad night's sleep. Also certain daytime activities such as cycling, reading,... can lead to these complaints.

Diagnosis

Most often the diagnosis can be made as early as the consultation based on the patient's symptoms and the clinical examination by the doctor. If necessary, a nerve examination (EMG) may be requested to confirm the diagnosis.

G‍eneral treatment

Pain medication (anti-inflammatories), modification of activities or posture, night splint can sometimes lead to improvement of the symptoms. Especially in the early stages of the condition, symptoms may be relieved with an injection of cortisone.

In the end, an operation (Carpal Tunnel surgery) will often be necessary to be relieved of the complaints.

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A wrist cyst is a swelling at the wrist. It can occur on either the upper (dorsal) or lower (volar) side. They consist of a thin wall that is filled with fluid coming from the wrist joint.

Symptoms

A wrist cyst occurs very frequently and usually without an underlying cause. Often they cause no pain symptoms and thus do not require treatment. However, if the cyst grows larger, pain symptoms may develop.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually made at consultation based on the clinical examination and the typical appearance of the wrist cyst. If necessary, additional ultrasound may be requested for confirmation.

‍General treatment

A wrist cyst should be treated only if it has become too large and is causing pain or movement restrictions. Draining the cyst is usually only a temporary solution.

Most often surgical removal of a wrist cyst is done anyway.

Dupuytren's disease is a benign condition in which nodules/lumps form in the palm of the hand, just under the skin. The nodules can connect with each other, forming strands in the palm and warping the fingers. Often this is a hereditary condition in which several people in a family suffer from the condition. The condition is much more common in men and is of northern European origin. It particularly affects the little and ring fingers. The first symptoms usually start at the age of 40 years

Symptoms

The first symptoms of the disease are, usually painless, small lumps or hardening in the palm of the hand. As the disease progresses, strands progressively form in the palm and over the fingers. Those strands will cause the fingers to become progressively more curved and, as a result, can no longer be fully extended. This, of course, will cause poorer function of the hand in day-to-day activities.

‍Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the disease is made at the consultation based on the clinical examination.

G‍eneral treatment

The disease itself cannot be cured to date. That is, preventive treatment for the disease makes no sense. Only if the fingers are crooked and this causes trouble with activities is treatment appropriate. The disease cannot be improved by medication or physiotherapy. 

Surgical treatment of Dupuytren's disease involves (partially) removing affected tissue in the palm and/or fingers.