Hand surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions not only in the hand, but also in the wrist and forearm. Depending on the type and severity of the hand condition, hand surgeons may perform nonsurgical or surgical treatments.
Surgeons who specialize in this field of medicine must first pass a certifying examination to perform operations as necessary. These doctors are trained to conduct the least-invasive treatment possible to properly and fully correct a condition, so your surgeon may have you try prescription pain medication or pain-relief injections before surgery is recommended.
Conditions Often Treated by Hand Surgeons
If you have any of these conditions listed below or something similar, it is best to consult an experienced hand surgeon:
Nerve Problems and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
When the hand gets injured, it is not only the muscles and bones that are prone to damage but the nerves as well. Nerve damage can lead to loss of hand function.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common nerve conditions of the hand, and it is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist area. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome may have difficulty gripping and grasping objects due to numbness and pain in the hand. Surgical treatment involves opening up the carpal tunnel and relieving the pressure on the nerve.
Hand Arthritis
Osteoarthritis causes the joints to become swollen, stiff, and painful. In the long run, this can lead to loss of function and deformity. There are treatments for arthritis that hand specialists can administer to help reduce pain, improve function, and prevent further damage to the hand.
Wrist Pain and Fractures
A scaphoid fracture is the most commonly treated wrist injury, and it almost always results from falling down while having your outstretched hand break your fall. It affects the scaphoid bone, which is a small bone located at the base of your thumb in the wrist. Its symptoms can be minimal, but it can require casting or surgery for severe fractures.
Dupuytren’s Disease
Dupuytren’s contracture causes deformity in the fingers, pulling (“contracting”) the fingers down toward the palm. This condition is due to an abnormal thickening of tissues underneath the skin of the palm. The thickening of the tissues can form knots, creating a thick cord. Treatment usually starts with your hand surgeon carefully cutting the knots using tiny pokes through the skin; do not try doing this yourself, as you may damage the nerves and thereby lose function in your hand.
Hand Surgeon in San Antonio, Texas
If you have a hand condition or you suspect a hand or wrist injury of any kind, it is best to seek an evaluation by an experienced hand surgeon. Here at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in San Antonio, our orthopedic surgeons have many years of successful experience in diagnosing and treating hand conditions and injuries.
To schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today by calling us at (210) 692-7400, or you may also request an appointment via our online form now. You don’t have to live with constant hand and wrist pain, let us help you find relief so you can feel great again!
