CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

Harlan's main occupation as a waterfowl guide means he's outdoors on a daily basis, and he's constantly using his hands as a self-proclaimed "gator getter" for the state of Texas. In 2011, Harlan was fed up with constant pain and numbness in his wrists and hands — the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. "I did carpentry work for years before catching alliga - tors," Harlan says. "But the pain, numbness and dropping things were all terrible. Sometimes the pain was so bad I couldn't sleep." After years of dealing with the pain, Harlan sought help from Oscar Jovan Currie, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at CHRISTUS Orthopedic Specialty Center – St. Elizabeth and Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute. "The treatment approach for injuries to the upper extremities typically depends on patients' condition and symptoms," Dr. Currie explains. "Some acute upper extremity injuries, such as distal bicep tendon tears, require urgent surgical intervention. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, lifestyle modifications and other conserva - tive options, such as medications or occupational therapy, may help in milder cases. When surgery is needed, I work with the patient to determine the best surgical option — be it traditional or endoscopic." BACK TO THE SWAMP After an initial consult, Harlan and Dr. Currie decided on open carpal tunnel surgery for Harlan's left wrist. "I had carpal tunnel in both wrists, but Dr. Currie told me sometimes it clears up following an operation on one wrist," Harlan says. "As soon as I had the left wrist done, the right one quit hurting. It didn't take me long to recover, and I haven't had any problems with my hands since." Harlan remains thankful for the convenient, compassionate care he received at CHRISTUS Orthopedic Specialty Center – St. Elizabeth. "If someone is having pain like I was, this procedure will make a world of difference," he says. "I suffered for years putting it off. Don't wait — get it done. You'll feel better and will hopefully recover as quickly as I did." Don't shake off the pain — learn more about our orthopedic services at www.beaumontbone.com or www.christushospital.org. To see Harlan in action, watch "Swamp People," now in its fifth season, on History. CHRISTUS Orthopedic Specialty Center – St. Elizabeth allows you to receive expert care for an orthopedic injury in a tranquil environment. Physical and occupational therapy services are conveniently located on-site so our therapists can get you up and moving and home quickly. "We want people in Southeast Texas to understand we are invested in the community," says Oscar Jovan Currie, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon at CHRISTUS Orthopedic Specialty Center – St. Elizabeth and Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute. "The specialists here are highly qualified and compassionate, and the care setting reflects that. Patients no longer have to consider driving to Houston for excellent care." Worse than a Gator Bite Oscar Jovan Currie, MD Harlan "Bigfoot" Hatcher, a Fannett resident and one of the stars of History's "Swamp People," once lived with pain that made wrestling alligators pale in comparison. INVESTED IN YOUR CARE 6 LiveWell | June/July 2014

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