Wrists & Hands

Every bone in the human body is susceptible to a fracture. Strong and resilient, our bones can withstand most significant forces without injury. However, if the pressure applied to a bone is too strong or the bone is weak in health, a break or crack in the bone may occur.

Cases where a bone breaks but does not damage the tissue or skin surrounding the break are considered simple or “closed” fractures. Cases in which a broken bone causes a break in the skin are commonly referred to as “open” fractures. Higher energy injuries have a higher risk of complication and are considered “complex” fractures. Complex fractures may require specialized treatment.

A broken bone is an unfortunate and painful experience that impacts every aspect of a person’s life. From the first visit to Inland Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Clinic, our goal is to provide maximum pain relief and to help our patients return to a normal life as soon as possible. Through a collaborative effort with the patient and their treating provider, we will formulate a treatment plan that achieves those goals.

Treatment for fractures ranges from immobilization of the broken bone with a cast or splint to reducing the fracture by manually realigning the broken bone without opening the skin. Sometimes, surgery may be required to restore normal alignment of the bone. These surgeries often involve the installation of plates, screws, pins or other forms of hardware.

Appropriate treatment is based upon the nature of the injury, as well as your expectations and needs. Safety, quality of life, and returning to work or sports all factor into the decision-making process. When surgical intervention is required, our providers are well-versed in the most up-to-date, minimally invasive surgical techniques, as well as the most appropriate post-operative rehabilitation protocols. Our goal is to get you back to living your normal life as soon as possible.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and forearm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the hand — the median nerve — is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist. 

In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time. If untreated for too long, it can lead to permanent dysfunction of the hand, including loss of sensation in the fingers and weakness. For this reason, it is important to diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome promptly.

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is swelling of the tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist and attach to the base of the thumb. This occurs when the tendons are constricted by the sheath that they run through to get from the wrist to the hand.

You may feel pain over the thumb side of the wrist. This is the main symptom. The pain may appear either gradually or suddenly. It starts in the wrist and can travel up the forearm. The pain is usually worse when the hand and thumb are in use. This is especially true when forcefully grasping and/or lifting objects or twisting the wrist.

De Quervain's tendinosis is treated by reducing the swelling/irritation of the tendons and tendon sheath, thereby relieving the pain caused by the condition.

Dupuytren's Disease is is a condition that affects the palmar fascia — the fibrous layer of tissue that lies underneath the skin and above the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones in the palm and fingers.

In patients with Dupuytren's, the fascia thickens and contracts (shortens) over time. The fascia may pull on the fingers during this process, causing them to be forced inward, toward the palm. This may make it difficult or impossible to fully straighten the fingers, resulting in what is known as a "Dupuytren's contracture."

In some people, a worsening Dupuytren's contracture can interfere with hand function, making it difficult to perform daily activities. When this occurs, there are nonsurgical and surgical treatment options available to help slow the progression (worsening) of the disease and improve motion in the affected fingers.

Ganglion Cysts are the most common mass or lump in the hand. They are not cancerous and, in most cases, are harmless. They occur in many locations, but most often develop on the back of the wrist.

These fluid-filled cysts can quickly appear, disappear, and change size. Many ganglion cysts do not require treatment. However, if the cyst hurts, if it affects function, or if you are unhappy with how it looks, there are several treatment options available.

Initial treatment of a ganglion cyst is nonsurgical.

Muscle strains and tears are common soft tissue injuries that can vary in severity. Soft-tissue injuries fall into two basic categories: acute injuries and overuse injuries.

• Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma, such as a fall, twist, or blow to the body. Examples include sprains, strains, and contusions.
• Overuse injuries occur gradually over time when an athletic or other activity is repeated so often that areas of the body do not have enough time to heal between occurrences. Tendinitis and bursitis are common soft-tissue overuse injuries.

Trigger Finger is a condition affecting tendons that flex the fingers and thumb, typically resulting in a sensation of locking or catching when you bend and straighten your digits. Other symptoms may include pain and stiffness in the fingers and thumb. The condition is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.

The ring finger and thumb are most commonly affected digits; however, the condition can affect any of the digits. When the thumb is involved, the condition is, appropriately, called trigger thumb.

In a patient with trigger finger, the A1 pulley becomes inflamed and thickened, making it harder for the flexor tendon to glide through it as the finger bends. Over time, the flexor tendon may also become inflamed and develop a small nodule on its surface, further aggravating the condition. When the digit flexes and the thickened nodule passes through the tight pulley, there is a sensation of catching or popping. This is often painful.