What happens when you injure yourself in a way that no surgeon in your area has ever seen, much less repaired? Well, if you are Monroe Township, NJ police officer, Craig Staffieri - or a patient from the other side of the globe - you turn to Dr. Mark Ayzenberg and the orthopedic team at Inspira Health’s Vineland campus.
Read MoreYour hands and wrists are constant doers––texters, carriers, throwers, communicators, holders, washers. They’re some of the most useful, complex and delicate parts of your body. When the bones, nerves, joints, muscles or tendons packed inside become painful, the most basic tasks can become unpleasant.
What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain?
Pain in your wrist and hands can be caused by a number of factors, such as overuse, trauma, or nerve impingement. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is essential to keeping the bones, nerves, joints, muscles, and tendons in your hands and wrists moving.
Our orthopedic specialists provide treatments for a wide range of hand and wrist conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fractures
- Overuse issues
- Sports injuries
- Sprains
- Tendinitis
- Lacerations
- Tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Trigger finger
- Cysts
What are the Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Conditions?
Symptoms of hand and wrist conditions vary depending on what your diagnosis is. Chronic problems, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, often result in lasting pain that develops over a long period, while acute hand and wrist injuries, like fractures or sprains, will result in sudden pain, weakness, and inability to move your joints.
Symptoms of hand and wrist conditions may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Deformity
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Difficulty moving your fingers or using your hands
How is Hand and Wrist Pain Diagnosed?
Orthopedic specialists diagnose hand and wrist pain with a physical exam assessing swelling, tenderness, range of motion, grip and forearm strength. Your doctor may also order diagnostic tests such as an X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or ultrasound. When traditional imaging is insufficient, you may need an arthroscopy—an exam using a small instrument with a camera inserted into your wrist through a small incision. If your doctor suspects carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need an electromyogram—a nerve test that measures electrical discharges through a thin electrode inserted into the muscle.
Hand and Wrist Pain Treatment Options
Hand and wrist pain can be treated with a number of different therapies, depending on your diagnosis and symptoms.
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Medication and injections
Over-the-counter pain /anti-inflammatory medication may be helpful in reducing short-term pain. Your provider may also recommend pain-relieving injections or prescription pain medications.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy/Occupational Therapy can also help you recover from chronic pain due to an injury or surgery, and can help to prevent further injury to your joints.
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Surgical intervention
In some cases, you may need hand or wrist surgery, which can include stabilization of fractures, carpal tunnel release, or tendon and ligament reconstruction.
Our Approach to Hand and Wrist Pain
At Inspira, we want to help you overcome your hand and wrist pain and get back to normal life. Whether you’re facing an acute injury or chronic pain, our orthopedic specialists can help diagnose and treat your condition. Our multidisciplinary providers are experienced in advanced treatments and minimally invasive surgeries to help you recover faster with fewer complications.
