Hand and wrist pain can make everyday tasks like typing, gripping objects, and lifting difficult. An orthopedic surgeon can evaluate the cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment based on your needs. Here is an overview of solutions from an orthopedic surgeon to treat hand and wrist pain:
Identifying the Pain Source
An accurate diagnosis is the key first step in treatment. During the first visit, the orthopedic surgeon reviews your medical history and asks when the pain began, where you feel it, and what makes it worse. Next, the surgeon performs a physical exam and checks grip strength, range of motion, swelling, and tenderness. If the exam does not reveal a clear cause, the surgeon may order an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. Imaging shows bones, cartilage, and soft tissues in greater detail. When numbness or tingling is present, a nerve conduction study measures how quickly signals travel through the nerves, and this test helps detect nerve compression.
Exploring Nonsurgical Treatments
Orthopedic surgeons often recommend conservative care before surgery. These approaches aim to reduce strain on the affected area, and the surgeon selects them based on your diagnosis and daily demands. Here are some of them:
- Activity modification: Changing how you perform repetitive tasks can lower stress on tendons and joints.
- Splints and braces: These devices hold the wrist or fingers in a neutral position, often during sleep.
- Hand therapy: A certified hand therapist teaches exercises that target strength, flexibility, and coordination.
- Medications: Some people use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to manage mild pain and swelling.
- Corticosteroid injections: The surgeon injects an anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected area.
Assessing Surgical Options
Surgery becomes an option when conservative care does not produce adequate results. The decision depends on your condition, symptom severity, and personal goals. The orthopedic surgeon explains the benefits and risks of each procedure, and you decide together whether to proceed.
Signs Supporting Surgery
Surgeons often contemplate surgery after nonsurgical treatments fail to relieve symptoms. Other signs include persistent numbness, muscle weakness, loss of grip strength, or a visible deformity. Some injuries, such as displaced fractures or torn tendons, need prompt repair, and delaying treatment may affect long-term hand function.
Hand and Wrist Procedures
Carpal tunnel release cuts a ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve, the main nerve serving the thumb and first fingers. Trigger finger release frees a tendon that catches when the finger bends. Surgeons also perform joint fusions or replacements for advanced arthritis, and they remove ganglion cysts that cause pain or limit movement.
Planning Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery timelines vary by procedure and individual health. After surgery, you may wear a splint or cast for several weeks while the tissues heal. Surgeons refer patients to hand therapy, and therapists guide exercises that gradually rebuild motion and strength. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for wound care, activity limits, and follow-up visits.
Ongoing care also applies to people who do not need surgery. Adjustments, such as ergonomic keyboards or regular stretching breaks, can reduce daily strain on the hands and wrists. If symptoms return, schedule a follow-up appointment, and your surgeon can adjust the treatment plan.
Consult an Orthopedic Surgeon Today
An orthopedic surgeon diagnoses hand and wrist pain through a medical history, physical exam, and imaging. Treatment usually begins with nonsurgical options, and surgery becomes an option when conservative care does not relieve symptoms. Recovery involves therapy, follow-up visits, and daily habits that can protect the joints. Contact a qualified orthopedic surgeon near you to schedule your consultation today.
