Hand & Wrist Injuries
Hands and wrists are the most useful tools of the body when it comes to interacting with the outside world. Nearly all the tasks that you complete in an average day—like cooking breakfast, driving to work, and typing on a computer—require careful dexterity and fine motor skills, which is made possible by the complex innerworkings of your hands and wrists.
But because we rely so heavily on these appendages, any issue that prevents them from doing their job can have a significant impact on one’s ability to function in daily life. Broken bones, carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigger finger are just a few of the many injuries and conditions that can adversely affect the function of your hands and/or wrists. Nonsurgical treatments are typically recommended as the first line of treatment for most hand and wrist problems, but if the condition is severe or fails to improve with this approach, surgery may be recommended.
The Westfield Orthopedic Group offers several nonsurgical and surgical services for the wide range of hand and wrist issues possible. If surgery is introduced as a treatment option for you, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Shaw, Dr. Krell and Dr. Choi will guide you through the preliminary discussion and help you make an educated, informed decision on whether it’s the right call for you.
How we treat common hand and wrist conditions that may require surgery
For anyone dealing with pain or any other symptoms in the hand or wrist, the first step should always be to try several nonsurgical interventions and remedies. These can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, home exercises, braces, splints, injections, and pain-relieving medications and modalities, among others. If you continue to experience significant pain and disability after trialing several nonsurgical options and you are dissatisfied with your level of physical function, it may be time to consider surgery.
Below are some of the most common hand and wrist conditions and how they are treated surgically at the Westfield Orthopedic Group:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Condition: occurs when the median nerve of the wrist becomes irritated or inflamed, which can cause numbness, weakness, or tingling in the fingers
- Procedure: carpal tunnel release, which alleviates pressure on the medial nerve
Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Condition: occurs when the ulnar nerve of the elbow becomes irritated or inflamed, which can cause numbness, weakness, or tingling in the fingers
- Procedure: cubital tunnel release, which alleviates pressure on the ulnar nerve
Trigger finger
- Condition: results from inflammation of the tendons in the hand, which causes a finger or thumb to stick in place and snap when straightened
- Procedure: trigger finger release, which frees up space and allows the affected tendon to glide more easily
Finger/wrist fractures and dislocations
- Injury: any of the bones of the hand or wrist can be fractured or dislocated after withstanding a traumatic force, such as falling on an outstretched hand
- Procedures: internal or external fixation, in which wires, screws, or plates are implanted to stabilize the broken pieces of bone in places
Have your questions answered by the Westfield Orthopedic Group
Arriving at the decision to have surgery should only occur after carefully weighing the associated risks and benefits of all options on the table. At the Westfield Orthopedic Group, we’re here to answer any questions you might have about your condition and the procedure(s) being recommended, so you can be sure that you’ve done your due diligence if you decide to proceed with surgery. For more information on our hand and wrist surgery services or to schedule an appointment, call us at 908-232-3879 or fill out an appointment request form.