Precision Care for Hand and Wrist Wellness

Hand or wrist pain will significantly impact your life, causing difficulties when performing simple or complex tasks. Our dedicated team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of hand and wrist issues, employing advanced techniques and personalized care. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury or a chronic condition or require reconstructive surgery, our experts are committed to restoring function, alleviating pain, and improving quality of life. We combine cutting-edge medical technology with compassionate care to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

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Causes of hand and wrist pain

Hand or wrist pain can come from a variety of sources, including:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: Caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
  • Arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis leading to joint pain and stiffness.
  • Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often due to overuse or repetitive motion.
  • Sprains and strains: Injuries to ligaments and muscles from overextension or trauma.
  • Fractures: Broken bones in the hand or wrist, often due to falls or direct impacts.
  • Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled lumps that can develop along the tendons or joints.
  • Repetitive stress injuries: Injuries from repetitive motions leading to pain and swelling.
  • De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: Inflammation of tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.
  • Trigger finger: Inflammation causing a finger to lock or click when bent.
  • Nerve damage: Such as from an injury, which can cause pain, numbness, or tingling.

Hand and wrist conditions and injuries

Arthritis – base of the thumb

Arthritis at the base of the thumb is a genetic predisposition: like graying and thinning of the hair, it comes with age, and it shows up earlier in some families. Patients with arthritis of the base of the thumb report pain and weakness with pinching and grasping. The most common arthritis is at the base of the thumb. Patients generally have difficulty with opening jars, turning door knobs, or pinching objects. An X-ray will usually confirm the arthritis. Treatment typically consists of rest, bracing, and corticosteroid injections. Surgery is also an option for severe cases that cause significant pain and disability.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is essentially a pinched nerve in the wrist. There is a space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel where the median nerve and nine tendons pass from the forearm into the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when swelling in this tunnel puts pressure on the nerve.

Extensor tendon injuries

Extensor tendons are just under the skin. They lie next to the bone on the back of the hands and fingers and straighten the wrist, fingers, and thumb. They can be injured by a minor cut or jamming a finger, which may cause the thin tendons to rip from their attachment to bone.

Ganglion cysts

Ganglion cysts are very common lumps within the hand and wrist that occur adjacent to joints or tendons. The most common locations are the top of the wrist, the palm side of the wrist, the base of the finger on the palm side, and the top of the end joint of the finger.

Hand fractures

The hand is made up of many bones that form its supporting framework. This frame acts as a point of attachment for the muscles that make the wrist and fingers move. A fracture occurs when enough force is applied to a bone to break it.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger/thumb occurs when the pulley at the base of the finger becomes too thick and constricts around the tendon, making it hard for the tendon to move freely through the pulley. Sometimes, the tendon develops a nodule (knot) or swelling of its lining.

Wrist fractures – distal radius fracture

The wrist is made up of eight small bones and the two forearm bones, the radius and ulna. Wrist fractures may occur in any of these bones when enough force is applied to the wrist, such as when falling down onto an outstretched hand.

Wrist sprains

The most common ligament to be injured in the wrist is the scapholunate ligament. It is the ligament between two of the small bones in the wrist, the scaphoid bone and the lunate bone. There are many other ligaments in the wrist, but they are less frequently injured.

Tendonitis

Wrist tendinitis is a common issue for many patients, athletes, manual laborers, and people injured in a fall. Patients can experience sharp pain, swelling, and weakness. Typical areas of pain include both sides of the wrist. Treatment generally consists of rest, bracing, and corticosteroid injections.

Treatments for hand and wrist at New York Sports & Joints

  • Carpal tunnel release: Surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Arthroscopy for wrist: A minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat joint problems in the wrist.
  • Joint fusion (arthrodesis): Surgical fusion of bones in the wrist or hand to alleviate arthritis pain.
  • Tendon repair: Surgery to fix damaged or torn tendons in the hand or wrist.
  • Fracture repair: Surgical alignment and stabilization of broken bones in the hand or wrist.
  • Ganglion cyst removal: Surgical removal of fluid-filled cysts on the hand or wrist.
  • Repetitive strain injury treatment: Can include bracing, physical therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
  • Treatment for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: Includes splinting, medication, and potentially surgery to reduce inflammation.
  • Trigger finger release: Surgery to treat the locking or clicking of a finger.
  • Nerve repair surgery: Reconstructive surgery for nerve damage in the hand or wrist.
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Why choose us for hand & wrist injuries and pain?

Choose us for your hand and wrist care because we provide expert, specialized attention to every patient. Our team comprises highly skilled professionals trained in the latest techniques for hand and wrist treatment. We understand the intricacies of these complex areas and offer a range of treatments, from minimally invasive arthroscopy to advanced reconstructive surgeries. Our commitment to using state-of-the-art technology combined with a patient-centered approach ensures personalized care and optimal outcomes. We’re dedicated not just to treating your condition but also to restoring your hand and wrist functionality to its fullest potential to make life’s journey more comfortable.

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