Injuries, Symptoms & Treatments

Hand

Let us give you a hand, with your hands.

It is made of an incredible network of bones, cartilage, nerves, connective tissues and joint fluid — all working together to perform some of the strongest and most intricate movements on a daily basis. And yet, is surprisingly delicate. When your hand hurts — whether from carpal tunnel, a jammed finger or worse — it often seems like you can’t focus on anything else.

 

Hand pain can be caused by overuse, traumatic injuries, or arthritis and other diseases. Some issues can be treated at home with anti-inflammatory medications and hot or cold treatments, but you should always be checked out by Dr. Bellapianta first. Depending upon the severity of your condition, orthopaedic care may be needed to avoid long-term complications. Your treatment may range from physical therapy to corticosteroid injections to surgery.

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Use the convenient search tool to find information on orthpedic conditions and treatments offered by our practice.. his assures that the information you are researching has been confirmed by Dr. Bellapianta as well as The American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons.

Diseases/Conditions of the Hand 

Conditions of the Hand
Finger Fractures
Flexor Tendon Injuries
Hand Fractures
Baseball Finger
Sprained Thumb
Arthritis of the Hand
De Quervain's Tendinosis
Ganglion Cyst
Trigger Finger
Conditions of the Hand

Conditions of the Hand

 

Hand pain can be caused by disease or injury affecting any of the structures in the hand, including the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, blood vessels, or connective tissues.

 

 

Anatomy

 

The hand and wrist consist of dozens of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that need to work together seamlessly in a variety of positions hundreds of times a day. As such, they often require highly specialized medical care when they become injured.

 

 

Arthritis

 

Hand pain is one feature of joint inflammation (arthritis) that may be felt in the hand. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most common types of arthritis in the hand.

 

Osteoarthritis

The fingers may become stiff, painful and swollen, and bumps may develop on the finger joints. Over time, the pain may decrease and eventually disappear altogether, although the bumps and swelling can still remain.The fingers may bend sideways slightly at the affected joints. Painful cysts may develop on the backs of the fingers.In some cases, a bump may also develop at the base of the thumb, where it joins the wrist. This can be painful, making it difficult to perform manual tasks such as writing, opening jars or turning keys.

 

Osteoarthritis also commonly affects the knees and hips, so is probably the cause if you have pain in other joints as well.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

The hands and wrists can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system (which usually fights infection) attacks the cells that line your joints by mistake, making them swollen, stiff and painful. The hand pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is usually a throbbing and aching pain. It is often worse in the mornings and after a period of inactivity.

 

 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a relatively common condition that causes pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers.

 

These sensations usually develop gradually and start off being worse during the night. They tend to affect the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the nerve that controls sensation and movement in the hands. It will sometimes get better on its own. Otherwise, wrist splints and corticosteroid injections are often recommended.

Surgery (carpal tunnel release surgery) is usually only recommended for severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, when symptoms last for more than six months or other treatments have not been effective.

 

 

Ganglion Cyst

 

A ganglion is a fluid-filled swelling that develops near a joint or a tendon, ranging in size from a pea to a golf ball. It looks and feels like a smooth, soft lump under the skin. It is made up of a thick, jelly-like fluid, called synovial fluid, which surrounds joints and tendons to lubricate and cushion them during movement. Ganglions are most common on the wrists (particularly the back of the wrist), hands and fingers.
They are generally harmless, but can sometimes be painful, especially if they are next to a nerve.

 

 

De Quervain's Disease

 

De Quervain's disease is a painful condition that affects tendons where they run through a tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist.

 

The sheath surrounding the tendon becomes swollen and thick, and moving your thumb will be very painful. The cause isn't understood. Some sources claim it is a type of tenosynovitis (see below) or tendonitis, but this is not true. De Quervain's disease is not associated with inflammation.
Some mild cases get better on their own after a few weeks of rest and avoiding the activity that triggered it. A wrist splint or a corticosteroid injection may help. Severe cases may need to be treated with surgery, which involves widening the tunnel through which the tendon passes.

 

 

Trigger Finger/Thumb

 

Trigger finger is a condition that affects the tendons in the hand. When the affected finger or thumb is bent towards the palm, the tendon gets stuck and the finger clicks or locks. The exact cause is not known.
The symptoms can include pain, stiffness, clicking and a small lump in the palm at the base of the affected finger or thumb. If you think you may have trigger finger, make an appointment to see your GP, so they can examine your hand and offer advice about treatment. In some people, trigger finger may get better without treatment.

Content by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 

Finger Fractures
Flexor Tendon Injuries
Hand Fractures
Baseball Finger
Sprained Thumb
Arthritis of the Hand
De Quervain's Tendinosis
Ganglion Cyst
Trigger Finger

Ganglion Cysts of the Hand

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms as a herniation from a joint capsule or tendon sheath. The sac is attached to the joint or tendon sheath by a "stalk" that allows fluid to move into the pouch from the joint or sheath.

Trigger Digit

<p>This common condition, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a narrowing of a portion of the tendon sheath in the finger or thumb that interferes with normal finger movement.

Flexor Tendon Injuries

The flexor tendons of the hand are responsible for flexion of the fingers and thumb toward the palm. These long structures are connected to the flexor muscles in the forearm.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

This condition, also called stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, is an inflammation of the sheath that wraps around the tendons at the thumb side of the wrist.

Common Treatments of Hand 

Finger Fractures
Flexor Tendon Treatment
Trigger Digit Release
Ganglion Cyst
De Quervain’s Release
Baseball Finger
Finger Fractures

Finger Fractures

 

 

Nonsurgical Treatment

 

Your doctor will put your broken bone back into place, usually without surgery. You will get a splint or cast to hold your finger straight and protect it from further injury while it heals. Sometimes your doctor may splint the fingers next to the fractured one to provide additional support. Your doctor will tell you how long to wear the splint. Usually a splint on a fractured finger is worn for about 3 weeks. You may need more x-rays over this time so that your doctor can monitor the progress of your finger as it heals.

 

 

Surgical Treatment

 

Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, you may need surgery to put the bones into alignment. Small devices, such as pins, screws, or wire, will be used to hold your fractured bones together.

 

 

Rehabilitation

 

You may begin using your hand again as soon as your doctor determines it is okay to move your finger. Doing simple rehabilitation exercises each day will help reduce the finger's stiffness and swelling. You may be required to see a physical therapist to assist you in these exercises.

Content by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 

Flexor Tendon Treatment
Trigger Digit Release
Ganglion Cyst
De Quervain’s Release
Baseball Finger

Trigger Digit Release

During this minimally-invasive procedure, the surgeon opens a narrowed tendon pulley at the base of a finger or thumb affected by trigger digit.

Surgery of the Hand

Your hand is a complex and unique part of your body, composed of delicate tissues and an intricate network of bones, muscles, vessels, and nerves.

Ganglion Cyst Removal

This outpatient procedure is used to remove a ganglion cyst, a fluid-filled sac that forms as a herniation from a joint capsule, ligament or tendon sheath. Ganglion cysts commonly develop at the wrist.

De Quervain’s Release

This outpatient procedure relieves the symptoms of De Quervain's tenosynovitis by releasing the tendon sheath that wraps around the tendons at the base of the thumb.

Experience the latest in orthopedic care 

We offer the latest in non-invasive treatments including Regenerative Cell and Platelet Rich Injections.