Your hands play a very important part in your day to day functioning, beginning the moment you wake up in the morning to when you fall asleep at night. It is not lost on anyone just how much we rely on our hands, and never is it more obvious than when you are feeling pain and other symptoms in your hands and fingers.
The average person with no medical training can only guess at the cause of their hand pain. This is why seeing a hand surgeon for a diagnosis is so important. Once you have an accurate diagnosis, you can explore treatment options to bring you relief.
So, why see a hand surgeon? There are many medical subfields that focus on various aspects of the body or health. Hand surgeons focus on injuries and conditions affecting the upper extremity. As such, they are the experts when it comes to the arm and hand’s components. A common misconception is that hand surgeons only perform surgery. This is not true. Hand surgeons employ non-surgical treatments first. When no conservative treatment brings relief, surgery will be recommended. Should you require hand surgery, a hand surgeon is trained and experienced in the most advanced minimally-invasive procedures, such as arthroscopic procedures and ligament and tendon repair and reconstruction.
Signs It’s Time To Visit A Hand Surgeon
A lot of people are unsure of when to seek help from a hand surgeon. Ultimately, when it comes to hand problems, the earlier you seek treatment, the better. Waiting too long can result in an altered function of your hands, which can severely impact the way you go about your daily tasks. Some conditions can get worse over time, which can make treatment more complicated, and your recovery period longer than it needs to be.
If you are experiencing any of the following signs in your hand, wrist, elbow, and forearm, it is best to schedule an appointment with a reputable hand surgeon:
- Warmth and swelling
- Bruising
- Pain and tenderness
- Stiffness and weakness
- Numbness and tingling
- Noticeable deformity of the fingers
- Radiating pain from the hand to the elbow and arm
- Pain that is worse in the morning or at night
- Inability to do chores and complete work tasks due to pain or other symptoms
A hand surgeon will conduct a physical examination and order a few image-guided tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. This information will help them make a clinical diagnosis. Depending on the results of the exam, your hand surgeon may immobilize your hand using a brace or splint, prescribe medication for the inflammation and pain, and recommend hand therapy for rehabilitation. You will come away from a visit with a hand surgeon with knowledge of your condition, instructions on what to do and what not to do, and an effective treatment plan.
Hand Surgeon in San Antonio, TX
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael L. Jones of the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine is trained extensively in the treatment of hand disorders and injuries. In our cutting-edge orthopedic facility, we are able to provide comprehensive care and treatment, from on-site diagnosis to hand therapy services.
To request an appointment, call the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at (210) 692-7400 or submit a request now, and our friendly staff will get back to you quickly.
