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Overview

From fingertips to shoulders, injuries to your hands and upper extremities can have a significant impact on the quality of your life. Trauma-related injuries, such as fractures and sprains, and nerve injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, can lead to chronic pain and functional impairments if left untreated.

At the Center for Hand & Upper Extremity, our specialized team is dedicated to providing advanced treatments for hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. We offer a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach that encompasses surgical and nonsurgical options backed by research and outcome studies. With a focus on improving function and alleviating pain, our compassionate team offers state-of-the-art treatments for musculoskeletal conditions affecting the upper limbs. Whether through surgical interventions, non-surgical approaches like rest and therapy, or collaborative efforts with other specialists, we strive to provide personalized care that addresses each patient's unique needs.

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Hand & Upper Extremity Injury Symptoms

Sometimes, evidence of a hand or upper extremity injury or condition is easy to identify. Other times, the symptoms may be less obvious or more difficult to pinpoint. In general, symptoms of injury or dysfunction may include:

  • Limited range of motion
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling or bruising
  • Pain
  • Abnormalities or deformities

Causes & Risk Factors

Injuries to the hands and upper extremities typically result from causes such as acute trauma, nerve damage or compression, or overuse.

  • Acute Trauma or Injuries are caused by a specific event, such as a car accident, fall, or sports injury. An acute injury may lead to a tendon rupture, fracture, or even amputation of the wrists, hands, or fingers.
  • Nerve Damage or Compression can lead to weakness, loss of mobility, or loss of sensation in the hands and upper extremities. Carpal tunnel syndrome and brachial plexus injuries are often a result of compressed or damaged nerves.
  • Overuse Injuries are caused by repeated motion. Whether from an occupation, sport, or other hobbies, repeated use of the upper extremities (hands, wrists, shoulders) can weaken connective tissue, inflame and compress nerves, and cause pain.

The risk of injury to the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, and connective tissues is more exaggerated for some people based on their daily activities.

Occupational risks: the majority of hand injuries come from three high-risk occupations, including the manufacturing industry, mining and natural resources industries, and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries. Farming, construction, installation and maintenance, and transportation workers also experience a higher risk of hand injury compared to other occupations. The most common types of hand injuries are bruises, pinches, lacerations, abrasions, strains, amputations, dislocations, carpal tunnel syndrome, and Raynaud’s disease. 

Sporting risks: some sports are more likely to result in hand or upper extremity injuries than others. Contact sports, such as wrestling, football, and soccer, and high-speed sports, such as biking, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding, can increase the risk of injury. Athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts who participate in gymnastics and sports that use hand equipment (racquets, ski poles, hockey sticks) are also at risk for hand injuries.

Medical conditions: patients with preexisting conditions, such as inflammatory conditions or conditions that affect the nerves, may also be at an increased risk of developing a hand or upper extremity injury or condition.

Diagnosing a Hand or Upper Extremity Injury

The first step to treating hand and upper extremity injuries is understanding the underlying cause. We offer several advanced diagnostic tests that can help us identify the source of hand and upper extremity pain or weakness, including:

  • Physical Examinations
  • Bone Scans
  • MRIs
  • CT Scans
  • X-Rays
  • Ultrasounds
  • Nerve Blocks

Hand & Upper Extremity Treatments

At the Center for Hand & Upper Extremity, our hand and wrist surgeons deploy advanced, state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical techniques to help restore function and eliminate or reduce chronic pain. Our treatment options can help with:

  • Tendon Injuries: Tendons play a crucial role in hand and wrist movement. We specialize in advanced surgical procedures to alleviate pain and restore optimal function for common tendon injuries such as tendonitis, tennis elbow, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, and De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
  • Nerve Injuries and Nerve Compression Syndrome: Nerve injuries and compression can significantly impact movement and cause pain. Our team is dedicated to relieving symptoms and restoring nerve function through comprehensive treatment for various nerve injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and brachial plexus injuries.
  • Wrist, Hand, and Finger Fractures: Some fractures require surgical intervention for proper healing and recovery. Our skilled surgeons specialize in treating complex distal radius fractures and metacarpal fractures, ensuring that the bones are realigned and able to function normally.
  • Hand Reconstruction: Accidents or trauma that lead to finger or hand loss can be life-altering. Our advanced hand and finger reconstruction surgical procedures, including replantation, reattachment, and toe-to-finger transplant surgery, aim to restore both form and function following the loss of a limb.
  • Arthritis Treatment: Arthritis can cause significant joint pain and stiffness that can negatively impact daily functions. For severe joint pain caused by arthritis, hand surgery may be an option. We offer joint denervation surgery to alleviate chronic joint pain, allowing patients to experience improved comfort and overall well-being.
  • Amputation & TMR: Amputation of the arm or hand brings unique challenges, ranging from functional limitations to phantom pain. We offer an advanced surgical procedure, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), to restore muscle function and provide patients with improved function and quality of life after an amputation.

Related Articles

Are you interested in learning more about hand and upper extremity injuries and treatments? Our doctors are at the forefront of research and innovation in the field.

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There is hope for healing with advanced hand and upper extremity treatments pioneered by our physicians. Contact us today, and let us guide you toward a solution for your condition.

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