Our Services / Hand and Wrist Pain

What causes hand and wrist pain?

The hands and wrists include a number of bones, muscles, and ligaments that allow movement and range of motion. Any part of these structures, from the bottom of the ulna — bones that make up the wrist — to the tips of the fingers can cause pain and stiffness.

Common causes of hand and wrist pain include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs from the compression of the median nerve. The carpal tunnel is a passageway in the wrist that the median nerve runs through. Irritation of this long nerve can cause chronic pain and limit the range of motion in your wrist.

Fractures

A fracture is a bone break resulting from a sudden injury or repetitive stress. The small bones in the fingers are especially vulnerable to injury.

Tendonitis

Six main tendons support the wrist joint. Repetitive motions and sudden injury, such as a wrist fracture, can cause long-term damage to the tendons in the wrist.

Ligament tear

Twisting your wrist is one of the more common reasons for ligament tears, which can cause severe swelling and pain that minimizes your wrist function.

Finger dislocation

Extreme pressure and force on the finger, particularly in the middle joint, can cause the bones to dislocate or disconnect.

How is hand and wrist pain diagnosed?

The team at Coastal Ortho performs a comprehensive evaluation to diagnose the cause of hand and wrist pain. In addition to a physical exam and medical history review, the team may order imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography (CT), to diagnose your pain.

What are the treatments for hand and wrist pain?

If hand and wrist pain frequently interferes with your quality of life, your orthopedic specialist at Coastal Ortho may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Hand surgery

As hand surgery specialists, the team at Coastal Ortho has the unique training and experience necessary to perform complex procedures on the small bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the hands.

Microvascular surgery

During microvascular surgery, the team reconnects small blood vessels in the hand to promote circulation in damaged tissues, which can prevent tissue death.

Injections

Joint fluid injections lubricate arthritis joints to minimize pain. Meanwhile, platelet-rich plasma 

(PRP) injections deliver healing growth factors into damaged joints and tissues to repair damage.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy combines targeted exercises and stretches to rehabilitate the hand and wrist. The team may recommend aquatic therapy to prevent pain during exercise, which you perform 

in the water.

EMG/NCV Studies

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons).

To learn more about hand and wrist pain, call Coastal Ortho or schedule an appointment online today.