Common Conditions Affecting the Wrist, Hand, and Fingers

Arthritis (Wrist)

Arthritis of the wrist occurs when the cartilage between the wrist bones gradually wears down due to age, injury, overuse, or underlying conditions. Common symptoms of wrist arthritis include progressive pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and weakness—especially in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. While early symptoms may be mild and intermittent, advanced CTS can lead to atrophy of the thumb muscle, persistent tingling and numbness, loss of dexterity and fine motor control, and a decline in hand function. 

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is caused by inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected thumb and wrist. 

Distal Radius Fractures

The distal radius is the larger of the two forearm bones and one of the most frequently fractured, particularly during falls onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms often include immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and visible deformity near the wrist. 

Guyon’s Canal Syndrome

Compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through Guyon’s canal at the wrist can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the ring and little fingers. Symptoms may include hand muscle weakness and difficulty with fine motor tasks. 

Scaphoid Fractures and Nonunion

The scaphoid is a small wrist bone that is commonly fractured during falls. Due to its limited blood supply, it is highly susceptible to nonunion, a condition in which a bone fails to heal correctly. 

Wrist Drop (Saturday Night Palsy)

Also known as radial nerve palsy, wrist drop is an inability to extend the wrist and fingers due to compression or injury of the radial nerve. Patients may have weakness or paralysis in wrist extensors, forearm pain, and muscle atrophy if not treated promptly. 

Wrist Fractures

Wrist fractures involve the breakage of one or more of the eight small carpal bones or the distal radius/ulna. Depending on the severity of the break, patients may experience immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and limited wrist movement.

Traumatic Injury and Soft Tissue Damage

High-impact trauma to the wrist (e.g., falls, sports injuries, crush events) may result in soft tissue injuries such as ligament tears, tendon sprains, nerve trauma (e.g., lacerations), and joint instability. These injuries can lead to persistent pain, loss of strength, reduced motion, and chronic wrist dysfunction if not treated. 

Hand Conditions We Treat

Basal Thumb (CMC) Arthritis

Carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis affects the base of the thumb, where frequent pinching and gripping can lead to joint wear. As the joint deteriorates, patients may experience pain, swelling, and progressive loss of function. 

Flexor and Extensor Tendon Injuries 

The flexor tendons (on the palm side) and extensor tendons (on the back of the hand) control finger movement—allowing you to grip, straighten, and coordinate fine motor tasks. Due to their frequent use, these tendons are prone to injury, laceration, and inflammation.

Hand Fractures

While many hand fractures heal with immobilization, some require surgery—especially when bones are significantly displaced, crushed, or the fracture involves tendon, ligament, or nerve injuries. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and progressive joint damage, particularly in the hands and fingers. Unlike osteoarthritis, which usually affects the DIP and PIP joints, RA commonly targets the joints closer to the hands. Early symptoms include pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness, which can eventually lead to joint damage and loss of function.

Finger Conditions We Treat

DIP/PIP Joint Arthritis

DIP and PIP stand for distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints—the fingertip (DIP) and middle joint (PIP) of the finger. Because these joints are virtually always in use, they are frequently affected by arthritis due to aging, wear and tear, or repetitive motion. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion, and eventual joint deformity and loss of function. 

Finger Fractures and Dislocations

Finger fractures and dislocations are common injuries that are often treated with splinting, casting, medication, and rest. However, more complex injuries involving displaced bones, tendon damage, or joint instability may require surgical repair.  

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger—medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis—occurs when the tendon sheath in the finger becomes inflamed or thickened, preventing smooth tendon movement. The affected finger may catch or lock in a bent position before suddenly snapping straight.

Advanced Treatment Options

Our team includes surgeons with advanced fellowship training and board certification in hand and upper extremity care. With expertise in microsurgery, minimally invasive techniques, and complex reconstructive procedures, we deliver leading-edge surgical solutions tailored to your condition and goals. 

Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

Arthroscopy: This minimally invasive procedure uses a tiny camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to diagnose and treat joint problems. It allows for faster recovery, less pain, and minimal scarring compared to traditional surgery.

Endoscopy (Carpal Tunnel Release): Endoscopic carpal tunnel release uses a narrow tube with a camera to relieve pressure on the median nerve with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue. Most patients experience reduced pain, numbness, and faster return to normal activities.

Microsurgery: Microsurgery uses high-powered magnification and ultra-fine tools to repair tiny nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. This precision is essential for restoring movement and sensation in delicate hand and finger structures.

Surgical Treatment for Complex Fractures

Bone Grafting: Bone grafts are used to replace missing or damaged bone—often from the patient’s own body—to support healing in complex or non-healing fractures. This procedure restores bone strength and promotes proper recovery.

Open Reduction/Internal Fixation (ORIF): ORIF involves repositioning fractured bones and stabilizing them with metal plates, screws, or rods. It helps realign the bone for optimal healing and restores function in more severe or unstable fractures.

External Fixation or Percutaneous Screws: These methods use pins or screws placed through the skin to stabilize a broken bone, sometimes with an external frame. 

Surgical Treatments for Restoring Damaged Joints

Joint Denervation: This minimally invasive technique interrupts pain signals by removing or blocking specific nerves around an arthritic joint. It relieves chronic joint pain while preserving normal movement and function.

Joint Fusion or Replacement: When joint damage causes significant pain or instability, surgeons may fuse the joint or replace it with a synthetic implant. Both options are designed to reduce pain and restore stability for improved quality of life.

Joint Arthroplasty (Finger Joints): Joint arthroplasty involves replacing a worn-out joint with a prosthetic implant, often used in the finger joints. This procedure restores mobility, reduces pain, and improves hand function.

Synovectomy: This procedure removes the inflamed synovial lining inside a joint—typically in rheumatoid arthritis patients—to reduce pain and swelling. It is often performed arthroscopically for faster recovery.

Advanced Nerve Repair & Decompression 

Carpal Tunnel Release: This procedure relieves pressure on the median nerve by releasing the tight ligament inside the carpal tunnel. Most patients report relief from numbness and tingling and improved hand strength.

Ulnar Nerve Decompression and/or Transposition: In this surgery, the ulnar nerve is decompressed and potentially moved to a new position to relieve compression at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome). The procedure restores sensation and strength in the ring and little fingers.

Nerve Grafting / Transfers: Surgeons use healthy nerve tissue—often from another area of the body—to reconnect or reroute damaged nerves. These procedures help restore lost sensation or movement due to trauma or compression.

Tendon Surgeries

Tendon Repair: Torn or cut tendons are surgically stitched back together, often with microsurgical precision. This restores movement and strength to the affected finger, hand, or wrist.

Tendon Transfer: A working tendon is moved to replace one that’s no longer functional, often due to nerve damage or severe injury. The transfer restores movement and function to a previously disabled part of the hand.

Tendon Release: Used for conditions like trigger finger or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, this procedure relieves tight or inflamed tendons by carefully releasing the surrounding tissue. Patients often notice immediate relief and improved motion.

Complex Hand Reconstruction & Replantation

For crush injuries, lacerations, or amputations, surgeons combine bone, tendon, nerve, and skin repair to restore full function. These procedures are highly individualized and often life-changing, helping patients regain use of their hand or fingers.