Hand & Wrist Pain

Managing Hand and Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain is very common – and in this age of constant connection to smartphones and computers, it’s becoming more widespread and springing up at earlier ages. Pain in your hand and wrist may simply require rest, or it may be a sign of a more serious condition.

Hand and wrist pain can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• Sprains or fractures
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Arthritis
• Tendinitis

Hand and wrist pain can greatly impact your life, affecting your ability to be productive at work or enjoy the hobbies and activities you love. From physical therapy to surgery, we can help treat your hand or wrist pain and get you back in action.

“Here at Mountain West Orthopedics, you can expect to be treated with respect, kindness, and compassion. We will develop a plan that’s focused on you, your lifestyle, and your needs.” – Kevin Stucki, DO

Diagnosing Hand and Wrist Pain

Many of our patients call us because they’ve started to experience numbness or tingling in their hand or wrist. They wonder if what they’re feeling is simply strain from overexertion or the beginning of something more serious, like osteoarthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some hand and wrist pain can be alleviated with rest, OTC pain relievers, or bracing. However, if your symptoms seem to indicate a more severe condition like a nerve or muscle disorder, you may be referred for imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs, or an EMG (Electromyography). EMG is a procedure that uses electrodes to assess the electrical activity between your muscles and nerves.

“Many people think that the discomfort they are feeling in their hands and wrist will eventually go away. The truth is, it most likely won’t. The longer this is left untreated, the more likely you are to sustain permanent nerve damage. When diagnosed early, these issues can be relatively simple to take care of and have great outcomes.” – Korry Wheeler, PT, DPT, ECS

Korry Wheeler is a board-certified electrophysiologist. Our EMG services can help diagnose the cause of your hand and wrist pain and get you on the path to restoration.

Essential Info on Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release

One of the most common procedures we perform are endoscopic carpal tunnel releases – in fact, this procedure is one of the most common orthopedic surgical procedures in the US. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there’s excessive pressure on your median nerve, which runs through a passageway in your wrist (your carpal tunnel).

While most patients with carpal tunnel syndrome are over the age of 30, cases can occur at younger ages. It’s important to see a specialist if you exhibit symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, like tingling and numbness in your hand or fingers, or difficulty grasping objects. If symptoms are left untreated, permanent muscle and nerve damage can occur.

During a carpal tunnel release procedure, your surgeon will cut the TCL (transverse carpal ligament) to relieve pressure on your median nerve. With endoscopic carpal tunnel release, one or two tiny incisions are made at or near your wrist, as opposed to open CTR where the incision is made in your palm. Though everyone’s recovery experience is unique, endoscopic CTR may provide a faster and less painful recovery. We provide both procedures at our hospital.

In addition to endoscopic CTR, we offer treatments and procedures such as:

• LRTI (ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition): LRTI is most commonly performed for arthritis of the thumb, and can be very helpful in alleviating pain and restoring dexterity.
• Trigger finger release: this procedure can relieve the stiffness and locking caused by trigger finger, if additional treatment beyond physical therapy or anti-inflammatory injections is needed.
• XIAFLEX injections: this nonsurgical treatment may help improve function in fingers affected by Dupuytren’s contracture.

Alleviating Hand and Wrist Pain

Whether you’re playing sports, working in the garden, or typing away on your laptop, you want to be able to do so, pain-free. Finding the root cause of your hand or wrist pain can bring relief, restore mobility, and prevent serious complications.

Our team also provides support through customized orthotics. Billy Kennington is a certified hand therapist, specializing in injuries and conditions from shoulder to fingertip. Along with this expertise, Billy designs and fabricates personalized orthotics.

These orthopedic devices can help you recover more efficiently after surgery and offer protection and flexibility if you’re navigating a chronic condition. Contact us to discover how our orthotics can be fashioned to meet your needs.

Along with our array of treatments for hand and wrist pain, we also provide extensive physical therapy services. Connect with our team to find out more or schedule an appointment!