What conditions cause hand and wrist pain?
There are several underlying conditions that can cause persistent hand and wrist pain. As you get older, your risk increases for degenerative conditions like arthritis. This disease breaks down the joint structures of your hand and wrist and causes chronic inflammation, loss of mobility, and pain. The team at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute can also treat neurological conditions of the hand and wrist, including:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when too much pressure is put on the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel passageway in your wrist. The compressed nerve can cause tingling, numbness, and weakness in your fingers, hand, and wrist, making it difficult or painful to grasp and hold objects. Compression on the median nerve can result from various underlying conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, or structural abnormalities in your wrist.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger is a condition where one of your fingers becomes bent because of persistent inflammation in the space surrounding a tendon. Over time, your bent finger can become stuck in the same position, and you can no longer straighten it. If you work at a job or participate in activities that require repetitive movements of your fingers, your risk for trigger finger increases.
How are hand and wrist conditions diagnosed?
The team at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute offers on-site X-rays and other advanced diagnostic imaging tests to quickly diagnose the cause of your pain. They also perform a comprehensive physical exam of your wrist, hand, and fingers to assess your range of motion and to identify areas of swelling, tenderness, and bruising. Once the team determines your diagnosis, they design a treatment plan that focuses on relieving your pain and restoring full function in your hand and wrist.
How are hand and wrist conditions treated?
Your treatment plan for hand and wrist conditions may initially involve anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications that are available over-the-counter, by prescription, or through injection. You may also benefit from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to reduce inflammation and pain. The team at Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute may also recommend physical therapy to strengthen the structures in your hand and wrist joints. If chronic pain from carpal tunnel syndrome limits your function, you may need surgery. Using minimally invasive surgical techniques, the orthopedic surgeons can release compression on the median nerve and widen the space in your carpal tunnel to relieve symptoms. For a severe trigger finger, your surgeon releases the stuck tendon, so it can glide easily when you straighten your finger. This outpatient procedure only requires a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. To find out more about the available treatment options for painful hand and wrist conditions, call the Tier 1 Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Institute office nearest you or request an appointment online today.
