HAND & WRIST
Hand & Wrist
The trained experts at iOrtho treat a variety of conditions involving problems with the hand and wrist, select a condition below to learn more.
Carpal Tunnel
If you have CTS, your fingers may feel swollen and stiff even though they are not noticeably swollen. You may wake up at night with numb hands that you must “shake out” before going back to sleep. During the day, your hands and fingers may tingle and you could experience reduced grip strength. In some untreated cases of CTS, hand muscles have been known to atrophy. Others experience an inability to distinguish cold or hot using their fingers or palm. Ultimately, people with neglected, severe carpal tunnel syndrome may lose had function and will often require surgery
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Pain
- Congenital predispositions, such as the carpal tunnel being narrower than normal
- Work stress (spending hours at a keyboard, constant use of vibrating, hand-held devices/tools, assembly/piecework)
- Tumor or cyst within the carpal tunnel canal
- Sprain or fracture to the wrist that induces swelling
- Menopause or pregnancy-related fluid retention
- Certain diseases have also been correlated with development of carpal tunnel syndrome, such as hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, diabetes and autoimmune disorders.
- Women have a higher risk than men of suffering carpal tunnel syndrome because the carpal tunnel may be narrower in women than in men. Primarily occurring in adults, CTS almost always affects the dominant hand.
If you’re experiencing carpal tunnel pain, contact iOrtho for a screening appointment.
Trigger Finger
Trigger Finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your finger. Caused by the inflammation and narrowing of the tendon sheath (the protective covering of the tendon) or the formation of nodules within the tendon itself. Although all fingers can experience this condition, the ring finger and thumb are most often affected.
Causes of Trigger Finger Pain
- Inflammation of the flexor tendons
- Nodules or lumps on the tendon
- Overuse or repetitive strain
- Underlying medical conditions
- Age and hormonal changes
- Occupational factors (repetitive hand and finger movements)
- Previous trauma/injury to the hand or fingers
- Genetic predisposition
If you are experiencing symptoms of trigger finger, contact iOrtho for a screening appointment.
Fractures
Hand fractures occur to the phalanges (small finger bones) or the metacarpals (long hand bones). Signs of a possible fracture in the hand or fingers can resemble severe sprains or “jammed” fingers.
Swelling, tenderness, pain, stiffness, deformity of one or more fingers or an inability to move fingers are classic signs that you may have a hand fracture. Shortened fingers, or a finger that clearly crosses its neighboring finger when you make a half-fist, are additional symptoms of a possible hand fracture. Depressed knuckles are usually observed in a type of fracture called a “boxer’s fracture,” which involves a break in the long bone under your little finger (fifth metacarpal).
If you think you have a hand fracture, visit our Staten Island office for immediate orthopedic care – no appointment needed Monday through Friday, 8-4PM.