Locations
Central Jersey Hand Surgery
Freehold, NJ
My office hours
Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
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Central Jersey Hand Surgery
Eatontown, NJ
Office
Eatontown, NJ
Central Jersey Hand Surgery
Toms RIver, NJ
About
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
Orthopedic Surgery
Licenses
United States: New Jersey, New York, South Carolina
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
404 Answers
50 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Wrist splint: Inexpensive wrist splints can be found in any drug store or big stores like walmart. It's important to make sure your wrist is straight in the splint... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Depends: It depends on the healing time, method of fixation and is best answered by your orthopedic surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Lots when done open: Most common complications include nerve injury, tendon injury, arterial injury, recurrence, stiffness, infection & hematoma.
Consider minimally inv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
GS for OA: Glucosamine sulfate is the one used to treat osteoarthritis. Usually taken with chondroitin.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
YES!: Blood work is only one tool in the diagnosis and is not 100% accurate.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Yes: If there was an infection in a joint, you can develop septic arthritis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Weight loss program: I would recommend a weight loss program like weigh watchers which can be very successful and works for anyone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Rare: Yes, but that is very rare. I have seen a case of an abnormal tendon wrapped around the nerve. Masses can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
No: Cold should not affect cts.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
COuld b: Could be tendinitis, ganglion, wrist ligament tear. Check it out with a hand surgeon.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Varies: Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness and tingling in the hand. If it is persisting that is a sign of more sever damage and should be evaluated by a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Patience: Bone healing on x-ray can lag behind actual clinical healing. Most phalanx fractures heal within 8 weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Buddy tape: Buddy tape to ring, gentle motion of finger.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old male asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Cubital tunnel: It could be cubital tunnel syndrome - a pinched nerve at the elbow. A hand surgeon can make the definitive diagnosis and treat.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Sarcoid mass: Sounds like a sarcoid mass. Make you sure you follow up with your doctor as there are other possibilities, like lymphoma.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Impingement: You could have shoulder impingement. An evaluation with an orthopedic surgeon is recommended.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Hand Surgeon: No! see a hand surgeon trained in the technique.
The bevel of a small needle is used to cut through the cord which is causing the contracture. It w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
CTS: You may have carpal tunnel syndrome, but need an exam to distinguish from other causes of numbness and tingling.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Depends on Diagnosis: A cortisone shot or block might help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Need workup: You could have a glomus tumor (benign) under your nail. An evaluation with a hand surgeon is recommended.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
CTS: It could be a early sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. An evaluation is needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Release with Needle: The bevel of a small needle is used to cut through the cord which is causing the contracture. It was developed by a group of paris rheumatologists wh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Fibromatosis: A hereditary disease of abnormal increase collagen formation. This primarily affects the hands causing finger contracture. It can also occur on the bo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Over 4,000: Please see my web page for lots of info on needle aponeurotomy, pros and cons of the treatment and a complete copy of my april 2012 paper on the resul... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Very: This is the most common nerve compression syndrome. Anyone can get this regardless of the work you perform.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Splint: Rest, night splint, vitamin b6 100mg / day, over the counter anti-inflammatory meds and ergonomic changes to work space.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Pain numbness and tingling: Pain numbness and tingling, night pain, weakness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Locking finger: A trigger finger is a finger which has stiffness, locking and clicking secondary to swelling of the flexor tendons.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Triiger finger: Trigger finger is a common cause of locking and clicking. It often responds to a cortisone injection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
No: That will not help. Aspiration , excisional biopsy (by a hand surgeon) or leave it alone.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Neuropathy: Some chemo agents can cause a peripheral neuropathy. Ash her doctor. A hand surgeon can be useful to consult.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Yes: It can cause localized numbness.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Maybe: If the nerve was stetched it will recover. If cut, it will not. Try massage techniques.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Carpal Tunnel : Pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and night pain are the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can increase with progressive pregnancies... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Hand Surgery eval: Have a Hand or Orthopedic surgeon examine you and xray your wrist
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Yes: But carpal tunnel syndrome is more likely. That causes numbness, tingling and night pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Yes: Yes it does. Some earlier than others.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Pinched nerve: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a pinched median nerve which causes numbness, tingling, pain (especially at night) and weakness.
The median nerve travels... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Heat and Ball: Use a moist heating pad you place in Microwave. Then use a soft ball or putty and work on squeezing exercise.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Ice and Xray: Ice, elevate and get an Xray to see if anything was broken. A Hand Surgeon can help.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
6-8 weeks: It will take 6-8 weeks for healing. Sometimes requires ORIF surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
662 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Sutures: The would should be sutured and the hand checked for tendon and nerve injury.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Need treatment: You either had a bad fracture or injury which did not heal. You need treatment with a Hand Surgeon who can try to get the bone to heal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
See Hand Doc: A Hand Surgeon can evaluate and treat the lump. IN the meantime, moist heat may soften it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
B6: Vitamin b6 and coenzyme q10 100mg per day are the best. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome you should see a hand surgeon for a definitive diagnosis an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Massage: Massage with vit e oil, mederma or cocoa butter.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Splint: Rest, night splint, vitamin b6 100mg / day, over the counter anti-inflammatory meds and ergonomic changes to work space. If there is no improvement s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Yes: After the initial frostbite is treated, there is slow improvement of sensation and motion.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Fix fracture: It is a procedure where a broken bone in the wrist area is fixed. Common methods include pins, screws, plates and staples.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Gary Pessanswered
Hand Surgery 42 years experience
Tight: It may have been too tight.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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.
7
Recommendations
286
Thank you notes
Nov 7, 2014
I know of Dr Pess cause I work at Jersey Shore Medical center. Dr Pess is an excellent hand surgeon with a expertise in Collagenase injection, Xiaflex, Carpal tunnel release, Dupuytren's contracture, ...Read More
Oct 3, 2013
Helpful expert. I recommend him.
HealthTap member
Dec 16, 2012
I went to Dr. Pess because he is one of the foremost experts on Dupuytren's contracture, a hand ailment that results in bent fingers and lumpy palms, and because he's one of the leading practitioners ...Read More
HealthTap member
I've been having physio on wrist for 6 weeks. was just querying on excercise for my body.ie running/cycling cardio is that bad or only good
HealthTap member
Thanks DR. I was gettin a bit worried because the numb feeling in my thumb has started to decrease and I still haven't done surgery yet.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I need a carpol tunnel op I guess I need to have this looked at too.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, NY
Graduated 1981MD
Medical/Graduate school
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
Graduated 1981MD
Residency
Bellevue Hospital Center
Residency
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL CENTER
Residency
New York University Medical Center
Residency
Manahttan VA Hospital
Awards
Top Doctor Nj Monthly Magazine
Top Hand Surgeon , Second Place, National - Winter
2013
Top Hand Surgeon , Second Place, National - Summer
2013
Affiliations
Central jersey hand surgery
Bayshore community hospital
Centrastate medical center
Publications
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