How Orthopedic Specialists Deliver Advanced Pain Management and Restore Functionality
Whether it’s driving a car, brushing your teeth, or operating a keyboard, each activity relies heavily on the use of your hands. Most of your day-to-day functions likely involve your hands and wrists to some degree, including how you scroll through the article you’re reading now.
When pain, discomfort, or limitations arise in this crucial area of the anatomy, seeking advanced orthopedic care is the best course of action. An orthopedic specialist is equipped to examine and diagnose dysfunctions or injuries to your hands and wrists. Plus, they can create treatment plans with advanced pain management techniques, including targeted injection therapy, physical therapy, and arthroscopic surgery.
In this blog, we’ll explore various hand and wrist conditions that may require advanced orthopedic intervention. We will also discuss how to locate an orthopedic surgeon near you for hand and wrist conditions that warrant more aggressive forms of treatment.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed within the wrist. This compression leads to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and fingers, making daily activities more difficult to perform.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that ranges in severity. Many patients find relief using holistic methods, including wrist splints, exercise, behavioral modification, extended rest, and the adoption of ergonomic office supplies and best practices. In some cases, a steroid injection administered by an orthopedic specialist may be necessary.
In the most severe cases, advanced orthopedic care may involve surgical interventions such as carpal tunnel release surgery. This procedure alleviates pressure on the median nerve, restoring normal function and relieving symptoms. The drawback is that it may take several months of recovery before normal hand and wrist function returns.
Arthritis of the Hand and Wrist
Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the joints of the hand and wrist, resulting in pain, inflammation, fatigue, swelling, grating sensations, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Osteoarthritis is the result of wear and tear of the joints over time, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s own immune system to attack tissues within joints. Unfortunately, neither condition can be reversed, which means advanced orthopedic care is necessary for pain management and restoring joint function.
Common treatments include:
- Physical therapy.
- Occupational therapy.
- Cortisone injections.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Targeted synthetic DMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Biologic response modifiers for rheumatoid arthritis.
For severe cases of arthritis, surgical options are available, including joint replacement surgery, joint fusion, tendon repair, and synovectomy.
Contact one of our orthopedic surgeons near you today if you are experiencing arthritis-related joint pain, discomfort, or other symptoms.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which the fascia tissues beneath the skin of the palm thicken and contract, causing one or more fingers to bend toward the palm and compromising hand function. Typically, the ring and pinky fingers are the two most commonly affected.
What’s interesting about Dupuytren’s contracture is there are still many unknowns about its causes and risk factors. The condition occurs in 5% of the U.S. population and is at least three times more likely to occur in those of European descent. Age, gender, family history, occupation, and alcohol and tobacco use have been identified as potential risk factors.
Depending on the severity of the condition, your orthopedic specialist may employ one or more of the following treatment methods:
- Steroid injection therapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Enzyme injections.
- Needle aponeurotomy.
Your physician may recommend surgery for advanced cases of Dupuytren’s contracture. The surgery involves making an incision in the hand to remove the thickened fascia tissue. This surgical procedure will restore hand function and finger mobility. Patients should be aware that contractures can potentially develop again, which may require additional treatments or surgery.
Contact Mid-America Orthopedics for Advanced Orthopedic Hand and Wrist Treatments
Our hands and wrists facilitate the intricate tasks that are part of our daily lives. When healthcare scenarios arise that jeopardize their functionality, seeking advanced orthopedic care is essential to delivering treatment when the condition is in its earliest stages.
By familiarizing yourself with conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Dupuytren’s contracture, you will be better equipped to take proactive steps toward orthopedic solutions that resolve your symptoms.
To make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist in Wichita, Kansas, about hand and wrist conditions, contact Mid-America Orthopedics at (316) 630-9300 or email us using the contact form on our website.