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Hand & Wrist

Causes & Treatments For Hand & Wrist Pain

The wrist and hand play a critical function in most day-to-day activities. Activities such as using a computer, brushing your teeth, and operating a car all require the use of your wrists and hands. Your hand and wrist are also essential for specialized activities such as playing an instrument or participating in athletics. Since your hands and wrists play a vital role in living the life you want, it’s crucial for them to function properly. Likewise, since wrists and hands are involved in so many activities, hand and wrist pain are very common. Hand pain, wrist pain or pain in the wrist and hand can be a result of many things. The best way to identify the cause of your wrist or hand pain is by scheduling an appointment with an orthopedic specialist, like the ones at Mid-America Orthopedics in Wichita.

CAUSES AND TREATMENTS FOR WRIST AND HAND PAIN

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.

Mid-America Orthopedics Hand & Wrist physicians

MAO Founder & Orthopedic Surgery

Pat Do, MD

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY & SPORTS MEDICINE

John Babb, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

Justin Strickland, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

Ryan Livermore, MD

HAND & UPPER EXTREMITY

J. Mark Melhorn, MD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Brenda Fink

Common Wrist and Hand Conditions We Treat

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome
  • Trigger finger
  • Mallet finger
  • Fractures
  • Dislocations
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tendinitis
  • Tendon injury
  • De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
  • Dupuytren’s disease
  • Cysts
hand doctor

Hand & Wrist
Resources

Resources, News & Blog Posts

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Working With Us is Easy!

We've Simplified the Treatment Process to Three Easy Steps

1. Email or call now to set up an appointment for wrist and/or hand pain relief in minutes

2. Meet with one of our friendly orthopedic doctors and get an individualized plan delivered with a patient-centered approach relieve your wrist and hand pain

3. Regain your mobility and start living life on your own terms!