Orthopedic Wrist Care
Your wrist is a complex joint that gives your hand the mobility and positioning it needs to complete actions like throwing a ball, playing piano, or eating a bowl of cereal. Each of your wrists have eight small carpal bones, three major nerves, and several ligaments and tendons that work together to allow for proper movement.
Traumatic wrist injuries are one of the most common reasons patients visit an orthopedic surgeon. You can easily sprain or break your wrist if you use your hand to break a fall. Repetitive motions, such as typing on a computer for an office job or working on an assembly line, can also cause painful wrist conditions.
If you are experiencing limited range of motion or notice increased pain when bending or flexing your wrist, our orthopedic wrist specialists can diagnose what’s causing you discomfort and discuss your treatment options.
Common Wrist Issues We Treat
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A repetitive injury stress injury caused by increased pressure on the median nerve that rans through the carpal tunnel of the hand and wrist. Common symptoms include pain, numbness, and loss of dexterity in the thumb, index, long, and ring fingers.
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
A condition caused by inflammation of the tenosynovium, a slippery substance lining allowing tendons in the wrist to glide smoothly back and forth. Swelling of the area increases friction, causing pain in the base of the thumb traveling up the forearm.
Scapholunate Ligament Injury
An injury to the scapholunate ligament is often caused by the wrist twisting or hyperextending when falling on an outstretched hand. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, limited motion, clicking sensation, or arthritic pain depending on severity of the tear.
Ganglion Cyst
A fluid-filled, often painless mass that forms under the skin. These cysts often appear on the back of the wrist and may be caused by injury or repetitive wrist or finger motion.
TFCC Tear
A tear to the triangular fibrocartilage complex of the wrist, a disc and ligament complex made up of tissue and cartilage that help stabilize the wrist and forearm. Injuries can either be traumatic, caused by a falling injury, or degenerative, occurring with wear and tear over time.
Scaphoid Fracture
A fracture to the scaphoid, which is a small bone on the thumb-side of the wrist. This injury is common in sports and is often caused by falling on an outstretched hand.
Wrist Fracture
There are eight bones in the wrist that can fracture. One of the most common wrist injuries is a scaphoid fracture, which affects a small bone on thumb-side of the wrist. This injury is common in sports and is often caused by falling on an outstretched hand.
Orthopedic Wrist Treatments
When you visit us at Alaska Orthopedic Specialists, your doctor will start by examining your wrist, fingers, and forearms to diagnose the cause of any pain or decreased functionality. In some situations, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs can help your provider determine the source.
Depending on the cause and severity of your injury, treatment options can include nonsurgical options. Many wrist injuries require a rest period from any activities that might provoke further damage. Your doctor may also recommend a cast or splint, cortisone injections, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicine, compression, and ice to reduce symptoms. We also offer surgical options for more severe injuries.
