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Hershey, PA
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Hershey, PA
About
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Hand Surgery
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Hand Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
102 Answers
59 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Elevation: The hand usually responds to trauma (and surgery is trauma) by swelling. The best thing to do is to keep the hand above the elbow since most of the sw... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
See your physician: Many patients get phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) in an IV site which usually responds to warm soaks and anti-inflammatory medication but it could... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
No: Casts are designed to immobilize fractures and thereby lessen the pain. You will continue to have some pain at the fracture site but pain elsewhere or... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Numbness of the hand: Carpal tunnel is caused by swelling in the wrist causing pressure on the median nerve. Many patients wake up with numbness at night. Swelling from som... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Likely: Depends on the magnitude of the injury and the state of the nerve prior to injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by swelling in the tunnel putting ... Read More
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Unlikely: Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness of the median nerve caused by compression of the nerve at the wrist. Most of the time we do not know what is causin... Read More
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Unlikely: Carpal tunnel syndrome comes from pressure on the medican nerve at the wrist. There is no evidence that typing or clicking causes either.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 55-year-old male asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Neglect/Activity dep: If only rarely symptomatic, i would not suggest any therapy. Surgical options include arthrodesis or proximal row carpectomy, both cause loss of motio... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Carpal tunnel release is the most common operation done by hand surgeons and the only proven disease modifying available therapy.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Depends: Superficial burns just turn the skin red and are painful like a sunburn. Just apply a local anesthetic like solarcaine. If it blisters, it is a deeper... Read More
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
No: Most patients report minimal or no pain after carpal tunnel release. Most are tender and sore with pressure at the wrist.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Patients with vascular disease may have blockages in the hands which can be bypassed just like in other areas.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Just keep moving: No special excerises are necessary. Just be sure you keep your fingers and wrists moving to prevent stiffness.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Maybe: Depends on how long after surgery and how bad your nerve was damaged before the surgery by the pressure on it. Many surgeons give local anesthetics s... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Pain vs numbness: Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Arthritis is pain and swelling of joints. Both can cause pain ... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Hand tremor: Essential means that there is no known cause.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Cannot: Your grandma probably had degenerative arthritis which is genetic. You may not get it because it is not passed on to everyone. But you may and there i... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Usually a month: I usually let it up to the patient to decide but most are ok doing most activities after a month and are happy to proceed at that time.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes we do: It depends on which joint is involved and the age and expectations of each patient. Some joints have implants placed within them while others may be t... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Trigger finger: Sounds like a trigger finger-swelling of the tendon getting caught in its sheath. Most require injections of steroid and resolve.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Keep clean: Second degree burns are where the skin blisters and peels. It will heal in less than 2 weeks if just kept clean by washing and covering with local ant... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Probably not: Most trigger fingers respond to cortisone injections (80-90%). Only those that do not get better are taken for surgical release. Cortisone is not as e... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Carpal tunnel syndrome is not caused by typing, however. It typically presents with numbness and tingling, particularly when sleeping, driving or read... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Unlikely: Carpal tunnel is numbness of the thumb, index, long and usually half of the ring finger. Joint pain is more likely arthritis.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Numbness/pain: Carpal tunnel syndrome is numbness of the fingers. Tennis elbow is pain at the elbow.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Kienbocks disease: This is a disease in which a bone in the middle of the wrist has no blood supply. It often will fracture and lead to wrist arthritis. The affected han... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Duct tape: Keeping them covered with duct tape all of the time for 3-4 weeks has been recommended by some. There are also some otc products like compound w.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Depends: Some surgeons apply a splint for several weeks while others just wrap with gauze for a few days. No evidence that one is better than the other.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Probably do not: Most people that develop carpal tunnel syndrome do not have a clear cause. There is no science to show that it comes form overuse or typing. It is mor... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
6-8 weeks: Depends on several factors including the location, patient's age, smoking, and others.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Trigger release surgery consists of simply opening the tendon sheath so the tendon no longer gets caught. It is almost always successful.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Jamming the tip: Mallet fingers may be associated with a fracture of the distal phalanx and are almost always caused by hitting the tip of the finger.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Swelling: Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by swelling which is common during pregnancy. If you keep your wrist's in extreme positions at work, that may aggrava... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Hand Society: The american society for surgery of the hand has a great patient education website. Go to www. Assh.Org and click on the info for public and patients ... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 57-year-old female asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Depends: Patients with intermittent symptoms before carpal tunnel surgery are usually better the same day. If the nerve has been significantly injured-usually ... Read More
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Days to months: Everyone is different. Most patients relate that they have no or minimal pain after carpal tunnel release but the hand is sore if gripping or pushing ... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
X-ray: Taking an x-ray is the only way to be sure that you have a fracture.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Possibly: Triggering can occur in every digit and I have had patients that developed triggers in every finger and both thumbs. That is rare-some just get it in ... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Depends: Early symptoms often resolve simply with splinting. Steroid injections are a good measure if you are trying to put off surgery which is often the defi... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Fingers together: It is condition found at birth in which the fingers share skin and sometimes bone and nail. I think the latin translation is actually together finger.... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
No: Fractures that commonly lead to arthritis and joint problems are those that extend into a joint. Thankfully, they are a minority of fractures.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Carpal tunnel syndrome is diagnosed by history and physical examination. Nerve conduction tests and emgs may be ordered to confirm.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Pain and swelling: Arthritis is inflammation of the joint lining that leads to cartilage destruction. It causes pain and swelling in the joints.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
See your surgeon: Pain in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by another problem. Carpal tunnel syndrome is primarily numbness. You probably have ano... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
No: Patients often have both triggers and carpal tunnel syndrome because they are caused by swelling.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Possible: It most likely is a nerve problem-if so the side of the ring finger would be numb also-i would recommend that you see a hand surgeon.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Keep clean: Second degree burns are where the skin blisters and peels. It will heal in less than 2 weeks if just kept clean by washing and covering with local ant... Read More
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Hospitals that have instituted hand washing protocols (mostly with sanitizers) can show lower rates of infection and also lower mortality rates.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old male asked:

Dr. Randy Hauckanswered
Hand Surgery 40 years experience
Yes: Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist usually caused by swelling. Women often have symptoms when pregnant or a... Read More
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
223
Thank you notes
Jul 9, 2013
great informative posts for patients and an asset to Healthtap
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Hauck is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Hauck is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
thanks! The symptoms went away quite some time ago. Thank goodness.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thanks
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Temple University School of Medicine
Graduated 1982MD
Medical/Graduate school
Temple University School of Medicine, PA
Graduated 1982MD
Residency
Milton S Hershey Medical Center
Residency
Polyclinic Medical Center, 1982-1987
Residency
Hershey Medical Center, 1990-1992
Awards
Top Hand Surgeon , First Place, Pennsylvania - Summer
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American College of Surgeons
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society for Surgery of the Hand
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