Hand and Finger
The wrists, hands, and fingers are used in almost every task we perform. Whether combing our hair, pouring a cup of coffee, or even just holding the phone to talk to a loved one, your hands are an integral part of your functionality. Many individuals who deal with wrist pain or other upper extremity conditions experience discomfort and difficulty throughout their daily lives.
Injuries to the metacarpal bone can cause significant pain and complications, affecting hand function and requiring thorough examination and imaging techniques for proper diagnosis.
If you are affected by wrist, joint, or hand pain, inflammation, or other common symptoms, it’s never too early to seek a proper diagnosis. Academy Orthopedics can help evaluate and treat many hand and upper extremity conditions.
We Help All Kinds of Upper Extremity Joint Pain
Did you know many common hand and finger problems are left untreated? Individuals chalk their pain up to “getting older,” repetitive motions, playing sports, or other reasons. Some people may be embarrassed to see a hand doctor for something as “simple” as an injured finger or wrist swelling. Instead, patients opt to try home remedies that cause more issues down the road.
However, many don’t realize that the upper extremity is quite complex! No matter the symptoms, there is no shame in seeking additional treatment from a doctor for your wrists, hands, or fingers. Hand surgeons are skilled physicians who can help reduce pain and decrease swelling in your wrists, hands, or fingers.
Your doctor will perform a careful physical exam to determine the source of your symptoms, plus any relevant health history. Do you experience inflammation throughout the day, or do you have bouts of sudden pain in the affected area? These details matter in determining your diagnosis.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be dealing with hand and wrist tendonitis (inflamed tendons), trigger finger, wrist arthritis, ganglion cysts, tendon injury, or even rheumatoid arthritis. At Academy Orthopedics, our orthopedic surgeons work with you to diagnose your condition and help you recover as quickly as possible. The number of affected joints can significantly influence the treatment strategy for conditions like arthritis.
Commonly Treated Conditions:
- Trigger Finger
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Thumb Arthritis (also called CMC Arthritis or Basal Joint Arthritis)
- Hand and Wrist Arthritis
- DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis (A form of wrist tendonitis)
- Thumb Ligament Injury and Repair (Thumb UCL)
- Hand and Wrist Fractures
- Distal Radius Fractures
- Mallet Finger or other fingertip injuries
- Finger Dislocations or Sprains
- Ganglion Cysts or Mucous Cysts
- Tendon Laceration and Repair
- Hand tendonitis or wrist tendonitis
Joint fusion is a surgical option for severe joint damage, providing pain relief but resulting in permanent loss of joint motion. The joint lining plays a crucial role in joint health, and its degeneration can lead to pain and limited motion. Joint replacement and joint replacements are also surgical options for severe joint damage, aiming to relieve pain and maintain function.
Once a diagnosis is made, we can build a treatment plan and work to decrease pain. When possible, your healthcare provider will try non-surgical options first. Some conditions can be treated with occupational hand therapy and anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief. You may be instructed to rest the affected joint, apply ice, or avoid repetitive movements. However, conditions like severe tendonitis or bone fractures may require minimally invasive surgery or other surgical treatment.
The index finger is particularly important in hand exercises and is susceptible to dislocations, requiring prompt medical attention. An injured joint, especially after trauma, has a higher likelihood of developing arthritis over time, making immediate medical attention crucial.
Pain medication is often prescribed to manage discomfort during recovery from hand surgery, playing a vital role in the healing process.
Academy Orthopedics Can Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Hand and Finger Conditions
At Academy Orthopedics, we value our patient’s comfort, understanding, and experience. We are a dedicated private practice that prioritizes face-to-face time with each patient. Our ultimate goal is to help you return to the activities you love. We want to help get you as healthy as possible.
No matter what upper extremity problem you may be dealing with, we’d love to help. In many cases, we offer same-day appointments so you won’t have to delay treatment any longer. Give us a call today and let us get you back to a life you love!