Hand & Wrist

The wrist and hand are made up of some of the smallest joints and bones in the human body. However, even the smallest fracture or ligament tear can result in wrist and hand pain that can’t be ignored. When hand or wrist pain is being felt, you suddenly realize the major role that this part of the body plays and daily activities. This is especially true for those that heavily rely on their hands for work or recreational activities. Wrist and hand pain greatly reduce quality of life.

So, how does this happen? What causes pain in the wrist and hand? Typically, wrist and hand pain occur when there’s a problem or breakdown in the complex arrangement of bones and soft tissue structures. Some people can source this back to a specific event. For instance, they may have braced themselves wrong during a fall or put too much strain on it during exercise. Other common sources include overuse, muscular imbalance, inflammation, tendonitis, tendon injury, ligament injury, instability, nerve compression, and arthritis. In addition to hand and wrist pain, patients may also experience stiffness, numbness, locking, or a sensation of instability.

Although many are able to achieve wrist and hand pain relief through holistic methods such as rest, heat/ice therapy, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, sometimes elevated forms of treatment are necessary. More serious hand and wrist conditions can be treated with prescription medication, injections, and physical therapy. However, sometimes surgery may be necessary to fully relieve wrist and hand symptoms. An evaluation for hand or wrist pain will be completed at your first appointment and consist of collecting a detailed medical history, performing a physical examination, and potentially taking x-rays or performing an MRI and nerve test. Your physician will then determine what treatment is best suited for you and develop a comprehensive plan.