Hand & Wrist Care and Treatments

Understanding Hand & Wrist Conditions and Available Treatments

Hand & Wrist Doctors in Birmingham and Hoover, Serving Central Alabama

The hands and wrists are some of the most frequently used parts of the body. They play a crucial role in our interaction with the environment through touch. Due to their high usage, the hands and wrists are prone to injuries that may require care from dedicated hand and wrist doctors.

Southlake Orthopaedics provides complete orthopedic and sports medicine care to patients throughout central Alabama. With locations in Hoover and Birmingham, AL, our hand and wrist specialists assist patients in experiencing less pain and more living through several effective treatments.

Hand & Wrist Conditions Requiring Orthopedic Care

The hands and wrists include a complicated network of bones, muscles, nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels. Hands and wrists allow individuals to move, flex, and rotate the wrist joint and control objects with the hand. Damage to the hand or wrist’s inner workings can severely hinder a person’s sense of touch. Common symptoms of hand and wrist conditions include:

Pain and swelling
Bruising
Joint stiffness
Weakness in the hand
Loss of motion
Deformity
Trouble moving the wrist
Inability to move fingers

Common Hand & Wrist Conditions

The hand and wrist are susceptible to a variety of conditions, including:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One of the most common conditions impacting the hand is carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments on the palm side of the hand. The condition occurs when the median nerve is compressed. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and fingers. Without proper care, the condition will worsen. Treatment can include a combination of nonsurgical and surgical approaches to relieve symptoms and restore hand function.

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

The ulnar nerve travels from the neck to the hand and is one of three main nerves in the arm. If the nerve becomes compressed, the result is cubital tunnel syndrome. This condition can cause numbness or pain in the hand, wrist, or fingers. Cubital tunnel syndrome can improve with changes in lifestyle, physical therapy, or, in some cases, surgery.

De Quervain’s Tendinitis

De Quervain’s tendinitis (also known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis) is a painful inflammation of the tendons surrounding the thumb. Repetitive motions of the thumb and wrist are common causes of this condition. Symptoms are pain, tenderness, swelling over the thumb side of the wrist, and difficulty gripping. Non-invasive treatments, such as wearing a splint or resting, often provide relief. Surgery may be recommended if symptoms are severe or do not improve with nonsurgical methods.

Flexor Tendon Injuries

Flexor tendons are found beneath the skin and help control hand movement. Rather than connecting bone to bone, they connect bone to muscle. Flexor tendons torn or cut won’t reattach themselves because of tension, making it impossible for them to heal on their own. Flexor tendon injuries can result in an inability to bend the fingers or thumbs. Wrestlers and football players are prone to this type of injury, as well as those with rheumatoid arthritis. Since injured tendons cannot heal unless the ends are touching, torn tendons must be surgically repaired in most cases.

Fractures

Fractures of the hand, fingers, or thumbs can occur during the sudden impact from falls or other events causing a direct blow to the area. Hand and wrist fractures usually cause pain and swelling. Because every break is different, orthopedic specialists must consider several factors to determine proper treatment.

Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that often forms near a joint in the wrist. These cysts may be attached to a joint capsule, a ligament, or a tendon sheath. Treatment typically is an outpatient surgery to remove the cyst.

Physical Therapy

One of the greatest challenges of a hand or wrist injury or condition is limited functionality. Patients notice quickly how much their symptoms restrict their ability to enjoy daily activities. Physical therapy can help rebuild strength and mobility. Although physical therapy might be administered as an alternative to medication or surgery, it might also be part of a wider treatment plan.

Mallet Finger

Mallet finger is an injury to the end of a finger that occurs when the tip of the finger is bent too far or too quickly, causing damage to the extensor ligament. This type of injury commonly happens during sports activities when trying to catch a ball. Treatment typically involves wearing a splint to keep the finger straight while it heals. If the tendon injury is accompanied by a fracture, surgery may be necessary to align the joint.

Sprains of the Thumb

The ulnar collateral ligament connects the thumb to the hand. When this ligament stretches beyond its normal range of motion, it’s a thumb sprain. Thumb strains require immobilization of the joint with a bandage, cast, or splint until it heals. A complete tear of the ligament may require surgery.

Sprains of the Wrist

Ligament damage in the wrist is called a sprain. This injury is often brought about by falling and landing on the hands with the palms outstretched. An orthopedic surgeon will recommend treatment depending on the severity of the strain on the ligament, whether it is over-extended, partially torn, or completely torn.

Hand & Wrist Arthritis

The hand and wrist are common sites for arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis are the most common types of arthritis impacting the hand and wrist. Treatment options include nonsurgical and surgical means.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Hand & Wrist Conditions

At Southlake Orthopaedics, we aim to provide compassionate, comprehensive care throughout the patient journey. We work with patients at every step of the treatment and recovery process, including testing, surgery, and rehabilitation. Our board-certified hand and wrist surgeons offer the following procedures to treat a wide range of conditions:

Carpal Tunnel Release (Open Technique)

To relieve symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgeons can use an open technique, which involves cutting an incision in the wrist to gain access to the compressed nerve. During this outpatient procedure, the surgeon will use surgical tools to cut the ligament and make the carpal tunnel larger.

Carpal Tunnel Release (Endoscopic Technique)

Another technique of carpal tunnel surgery is endoscopic. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision to fit a thin, flexible device that contains a camera. The surgery is performed with specialty tools to achieve the desired results.

Distal Radius Fracture Repair with Volar Plate

Distal radius fractures are too complex to treat with a cast or splint. Therefore, this injury requires surgical fixation to restore function to the wrist. The bone is set into proper alignment and fashioned with a metal plate to keep it in place. Surgical screws ensure the plate remains secure and stabilize the fracture.

Ganglion Cyst Removal

If nonsurgical approaches fail to alleviate symptoms of a ganglion cyst on the hand or wrist, surgery may be recommended. This procedure involves removing the cyst by cutting the stalk to decrease the likelihood of it growing back.

Why Choose Southlake Orthopaedics for Hand & Wrist Care?

Southlake Orthopaedics is a versatile orthopedic care center. With a wide range of expertise, we treat a variety of hand and wrist conditions. Our team of board-certified hand and wrist specialists ensures all patients receive the level of care Southlake Orthopaedics is known for.

Our hand and wrist orthopedic doctors include:

Receive Care from Hand & Wrist Doctors in Alabama

Patients experiencing hand and wrist pain can find relief at Southlake Orthopaedics. With an on-site osteoporosis clinic, orthotics lab, and in-house physical therapy, our board-certified hand and wrist specialists provide complete orthopedic care to countless patients throughout central Alabama. For more information, contact us at one of our locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL.