The Hand and Upper Extremity Center
Wrist Conditions
Arthritis
Illness that can cause pain and swelling in the joints.
Symptoms (vary depending on the type of arthritis)
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Decreased grip strength
- Bump formation
Diagnosis
- Patient history
- Physical examination
- Pressure and movement tests
- X-ray
Treatment
- Pain medication, topical agents, splinting, injections, therapy, and surgery
- Common surgical procedures include:
- Removal of arthritic bone
- Joint reconstruction
- Bone fusion
- Bone realignment
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Squeezing of the nerve, running from the forearm to the hand, at the wrist causing pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist.
Symptoms
- Burning
- Tingling
- Numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers
- Decreased grip strength
Diagnosis
- Tinel's sign — The physician taps over the median nerve at the wrist to produce a tingling sensation in the involved digits
- Tinel's Wrist flexion test — The patient rests his or her elbows on a table and allows the wrist to fall forward freely. Individuals with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome experience numbness and tingling in the fingers supplied by the median nerve within sixty seconds
- Tinel's X-rays: Help rule out other conditions such as arthritis.
- Tinel's Electrical studies (EMG) — Measures the severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treatment
- Medication
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Open release surgery
- Endoscopic surgery
Fracture
Break or crack in a bone.
Symptoms
- Visibly out-of-place
- Limited movement
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Intense Pain
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- X-ray
Treatment
- Restoring the fractured pieces of bone to their natural positions and splinting or casting the bone to ensure the bone remains in the correct position during the healing process
Sprains
An injury to the connective tissues (called ligaments) that connect bones to bones and hold them together.
Symptoms
Diagnosis
- Physical examination: checking for pain, flexibility, and stability
- X-rays
Treatment
- Immobilization in a splint or cast
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Surgery
Tendonitis
The inflammation and irritation of the tissues that connect muscles to bones.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Restricted movement
- Area is swollen, red, warm, or lumpy
Treatment
- Rest
- Support Brace
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Ultrasound: Breaks down scar tissue around the tendon
- Surgery
For more details on The Hand and Upper Extremity Center at Geauga Medical Center or for a physician referral please call 440-285-7757.