Hand & Wrist

It is hard to overstate the importance of our hands in everyday life. Our hands give us the ability to do things we associate with being human. From simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt to more complex activities such as playing an instrument, our hands are often an important part of our identity. When a problem arises, it becomes even easier to see how significant our hands are in our lives.

The hand and wrist comprise some of the smallest joints in the body. In addition to small joints, many small bones work together with ligaments and tendons to give us the exceptional mobility, strength, and dexterity in our hands. Delicate nerves provide the vital sensation we need to accomplish many tasks.  Each finger is made of three phalanges (finger bones) except the thumb which only has two. Each digit also has an associated metacarpal which is found in the hand. These meet the eight irregularly shaped carpal bones of the wrist. These carpal bones are arranged in two distinct rows of four each, one that facilitates movement between the wrist and hand, and another that facilitates movement between the forearm and wrist. As with any complicated system, there are many reasons a person may develop problems. 

Hand and wrist problems can occur if there is any breakdown in the complex link between the bones and soft tissue structures. Overuse, muscular imbalance, inflammation, tendonitis, tendon injury, ligament injury, instability, nerve compression, and arthritis are all potential reasons for symptoms.  It is common for hand and wrist dysfunction to cause pain, stiffness, numbness, locking, or a sensation of instability. 

Many hand and wrist conditions can be treated with rest, medication, injections, and physical therapy.  However, sometimes surgery may be necessary to relieve symptoms. An evaluation for hand or wrist pain will commonly consist of a detailed history, physical examination, x-rays, and possibly an MRI or a nerve test. Your doctor will determine what treatment is best suited for you.