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You may be surprised to learn about the orthopedic conditions that can affect your wrist and hand. These problems are quite common because of the large number of bones – and complex network of nerves, tendons, and other soft tissue – present in a relatively small area of the body.
Most daily tasks require use of your hands, from dressing and eating to working or participating in sports or other activities. Thus, it is extremely easy to break a bone, sprain your wrist, or otherwise develop conditions that require the expertise of a hand and wrist specialist.
Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Troy Keoni Williams of Movement Orthopedics specializes in the wide variety of medical conditions that can affect the hand and wrist.
At Movement Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of orthopedic hand and wrist conditions. Some of our most in-demand specialties include:
The hands, arms, and fingers are some of the most common areas subject to animal bites. That’s because most adults and children will use their hands and arms in an attempt to ward off such an attack.
In addition to breaking the skin and a risk of infection, animal bites can cause damage to underlying bone and soft tissue.
If you or a loved one has sustained an animal bite, be sure to get a thorough evaluation, so proper treatment can be administered. This may include wound care, diagnostic imaging, and surgery to repair tendons, fix fractures, or remove any foreign bodies lodged under the skin.
Arthritis is an extremely common orthopedic condition affecting the hands and fingers. Arthritis is more likely to develop after a traumatic injury at a joint. This leaves your hands, fingers, and wrist especially susceptible to the pain and swelling of arthritis.
Arthritis pain in the hands can be particularly bothersome, making it difficult to firmly grasp, hold, or transport items, open jars, or even turn a door handle. Finger pain and stiffness in the morning is common with arthritis of the hand. Left untreated, the bones in an arthritic joint can become misshapen, which can be especially noticeable and problematic when it occurs in the hands.
Treatment options include lifestyle changes, medication, pain-relieving injections, splints, physical therapy, and finally surgery to preserve or replace the damaged joint.
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A very common condition, carpal tunnel syndrome causes tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand due to a pinched nerve in the wrist.
Repetitive strain on the hands and wrist are thought to play a role in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. This includes activities involving prolonged or repetitive flexing of the wrist or stress on the palm of the hand, such as using a computer mouse or vibrating tools, cycling, kneading dough, and more.
Previous trauma to the wrist, or the particular shape of your wrist may also contribute to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome – as can any number of conditions that cause swelling in the area.
There are surgical and nonsurgical treatments available for carpal tunnel syndrome, including wrist splinting, medications, and pain-relieving injections.
The good news is that almost all cysts and tumors that develop on the hands are benign (noncancerous). Even so, such growths can be unsightly, bothersome, and may interfere with use of your hands or fingers. It is not uncommon for fluid-filled cysts to develop near an arthritic joint.
Some of the most common cysts and tumors that develop on the hands include:
As a board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon, Dr. Williams at Movement Orthopedics is often called upon to perform excision surgery to remove a cyst or tumor from the hand.
If objects penetrate into your hand or wrist, it is imperative that your wound be carefully assessed, and any foreign objects be removed. Failure to properly treat a wound that leaves a foreign body under the skin can lead to infection, inflammation, and tissue damage.
At Movement Orthopedics, board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Williams has the training, skills, and experience to provide the best possible care for patients who experience trauma to the hand or wrist and who may require wound care, including the removal of foreign bodies.
Broken bones in the hand or wrist are fairly common. For example, in an accident or fall, most people extend their arm in an attempt to use the hand to break the fall or prevent impact. The force of the impact on the delicate bones in the hand and wrist frequently result in fractures.
When you need splinting, casting, or even surgery for a fracture in your hand or wrist, choose a board-certified orthopedic hand surgeon such as Dr. Williams at Movement Orthopedics. He will ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment for optimal healing and a quick and successful recovery.
Among all the types of injuries that can affect your hands and fingers, nail bed/plate injuries are a fairly common type of trauma.
The nail bed is the skin underneath your fingernail. The nail plate is the hard, visible fingernail itself.
These areas can be injured in a variety of ways. For example, your nail bed and plate can be cut, crushed, or otherwise damaged during an accident or traumatic impact. If the nail bed is involved, you will likely experience bleeding and may require stitches, depending on the severity of the damage.
Occasionally, the nail plate may separate from the nail bed, or the nail plate may need to be removed. In the vast majority of cases, the nail plate will grow back, although it can take about 6 months to do so.
No matter the sport, most activities come with a risk of injury – if only from overuse of muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue. The orthopedic specialists at Movement Orthopedics specialize in sports medicine, so they can not only diagnose and treat your injury, but can also help you heal faster and better, and help prevent re-injury in the future.
Sports injuries that can affect the hand or wrist include:
Trigger finger (or thumb) occurs when the membrane surrounding the tendon becomes inflamed and locks the finger in a bent position. The finger then extends with a snap or pop. The condition is common, especially among those with diabetes, and causes pain and stiffness in the affected finger or thumb. Ultimately, your joint may remain in the bent position.
Congenital trigger thumb occurs in infants or children under the age of 5. It is not due to a birth defect (despite its name), overuse, or injury. Instead, it is believed to a problem with the length of the tendon responsible for moving the thumb.
If stretching, splinting, physical therapy, or cortisone shots don’t work to resolve your trigger finger or thumb symptoms, there are several different minimally invasive techniques Dr. Williams at Movement Orthopedics can perform to release the problematic area of the tendon sheath.
Do you have hand or wrist pain? For the most appropriate care, make an appointment to see an orthopedic physician who specializes in disorders affecting the hand and wrist. Call Movement Orthopedics in Clinton Township, Michigan, at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment with Dr. Troy Keoni Williams now.
If you have an urgent orthopedic need, visit our urgent care clinic during business hours – just call us first to let us know you’re on your way.
