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Hand & Wrist

Our hands do a lot, which makes hand and wrist injuries very common. When our hands or wrists are in pain, the most routine tasks can be agonizing.

Golden State Orthopedics & Spine (GSOS) takes a multi-faceted approach to treating hand and wrist injuries. This includes surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Nonsurgical treatments may include the use of anti-inflammatories, rest, splinting or casting, physical therapy, and injection therapy to relieve pain associated with various conditions.

Our Physicians specializing in upper extremity and hand surgery have undergone a minimum of five years of residency training, as well as fellowship training. Our orthopedic surgeons and their physician assistants are uniquely trained and experienced in treating every condition in the hand and wrist, from the simplest infection to the most complex surgeries.

The first step is a consultation to identify the issues. Our orthopedists will discuss the problem that the patient is experiencing and will examine the affected body part to properly diagnose the particular hand or wrist condition. After discussing different treatment options, our physicians will design a customized plan based on each patient’s needs.

Common hand & wrist injury conditions we treat include:

Immobilization & Bracing

An orthopedic specialist may place the patient’s hand, finger or wrist in a splint, cast or brace to stop movement. Keeping the hand stabilized prevents additional harm and promotes healing.

While the patient is resting, our physicians often recommend medication that can help with inflammation. Any over-the-counter medications taken by the patient during this time should be approved by the orthopedist.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can help a patient who is suffering from swelling, stiffness or pain in the hands or wrist. Depending on the condition, our physical therapist will give the patient specific exercises to reduce symptoms.

Physical therapy can also be used after surgery to aid in increasing movement and restoring function.

Injections

The most common injection for hand or wrist pain is a corticosteroid shot. It can be used to reduce the side effects of tendonitis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and arthritis.

When surgery is needed and when possible, the surgeons at GSOS use minimally invasive techniques. The main advantage of surgery over some of the other treatment options is that it can provide long-lasting pain relief and better function.

The most common hand and wrist surgeries include the following:

  • Carpal tunnel release: The surgical option for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Dupuytren’s contracture fasciectomy: A surgical option for the treatment of Dupuytren’s, which is a disorder that causes the patient’s finger to contract.
  • Ganglion cyst/mass excision: The surgical treatment for the removal of soft tissue masses from the wrist or hand.
  • Fracture repair: Performed when a patient has a misaligned fracture that may not heal properly without the use of internal fixation.
  • Nerve repair: Most often performed after a cut to the hand or fingers that causes sudden loss of sensation.
  • Tendon repair: Performed after an injury that causes the loss of function to the wrist, hand or finger. Tendon injuries can be associated with lacerations, fractures or arthritis.
  • Basilar joint reconstruction: Surgical treatment of thumb arthritis.
  • Surgical treatment of tendonitis: A last resort for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (golfers’ elbow) or tendonitis.
  • Shoulder, elbow and wrist arthroscopy: A minimally invasive treatment option that involves the surgeon using a tiny camera and specialized instruments inserted through a small incision.
  • Trigger finger release: A surgical treatment option for trigger finger.
  • Wrist fusion: A treatment for wrist arthritis.

We encourage you to meet with one of our hand surgeons to fully discuss treatment options that best fit your needs.