Like many who work with their hands, Tisha was familiar with aches and pains on the job. But when the pain began to interfere with her daily life, she knew the problem ran deeper.
Everyday tasks like manipulating keys, punching in a code to shut off her home alarm, and even holding her cell phone became difficult due to cramping and numbness in her fingers. One day after returning home from the grocery store, she dropped an entire gallon of orange juice while trying to put it in the fridge. Her frustration – and the mess in her kitchen – convinced Tisha it was time to act.
“When I saw it was becoming a problem, I knew I needed to seek more help to find out what was happening,” she said.
That’s what led to Tisha’s appointment with Anthony DeLuise, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity care for the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder at Ortho Rhode Island.
Dr. DeLuise’s diagnosis – bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome – called for surgery in both hands to alleviate Tisha’s symptoms.
Tisha was understandably worried about the challenges surgery presented: scarring, missing time at work, and being able to perform her duties once she returned to her job.
But Tisha’s care team at Ortho Rhode Island recognized her needs, and from her first visit through her recovery, they treated her with compassion and prioritized her goals as a patient and as a person.
“Right from the beginning, when you walk in, someone is greeting you,” Tisha said. In fact, she was so surprised by their degree of professionalism, she joked to herself that all of Ortho Rhode Island must have taken hospitality pills that morning. “One moment after the next, everybody was just so cheerful and patient, and when I asked questions they were answered.”
Tisha’s pre-op visit with Dr. DeLuise was no different. Dr. DeLuise took the time to carefully explain the procedures he would perform to address Tisha’s carpal tunnel syndrome, showing her on a computer screen exactly what would be done, step by step.
“Communication with the patient and with our therapists is key to good outcomes,” Dr. DeLuise explained.
And when it came to the surgery itself, Dr. DeLuise was part of a whole team at the Ortho RI Surgery Center who helped Tisha feel comfortable.
“When I got to the date of my surgery, the pre-op was amazing – the nursing staff, the anesthesiologist, the receptionist. Everybody went above and beyond.
“I’ve had surgeries before – I’ve never had a doctor come into the pre-op room and say good morning and greet me before the surgery,” she said. “Even after the surgery, Dr. DeLuise called me at home. That was a first for me, as well.”
For Dr. DeLuise, working with Tisha throughout her care and recovery has been equally fulfilling. “I find it rewarding,” he said, “because the surgery and treatment made a big difference in her function on a daily basis.”
For her rehabilitation post-surgery, Tisha required hand therapy. She worked with Sophie Gormley, OTR/L, a certified hand therapist at Ortho Rhode Island. They built rapport based on positivity and trust, backed by Sophie’s expertise.
“The one-on-one with the therapist was excellent,” Tisha said. “Sophie was cheerful and knowledgeable about what happened with my surgery. I thought I was going to have to ask the doctor, but she knew the answers to my questions. And they were the right answers.”
Today, Tisha’s recovery is progressing, and her long-awaited return to work is within reach. Throughout the process, she has been grateful to her team at Ortho Rhode Island for their care. For too long, Tisha explained, she thought she could work through her pain. But Ortho Rhode Island helped her recognize the severity of her condition, and worked with her to provide the treatment she needed to return to her job and thrive.
“Now, I’m going to be better going back to work, because I’m not going to have those issues, and I know that I’ll be stronger,” Tisha said. “I’m more confident. I’m confident about going back to work.”
Learn more about Ortho Rhode Island’s care for carpal tunnel syndrome and other conditions of the hand and wrist or call 401.777.7000 to request an appointment today.
