Hand and wrist pain can be a troublesome condition with far-reaching effects on your daily life. Hand and wrist issues can severely disrupt life, hindering work, exercise, and even basic self-care. The impact of these conditions is substantial, making everyday tasks difficult.
Whether you’re dealing with sudden injury or chronic discomfort, finding the right hand and wrist doctor is crucial for your recovery and long-term joint health.
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, our experienced hand and wrist doctors understand that every patient’s situation is unique. We combine advanced diagnostic techniques with personalized treatment plans to address a wide range of conditions, from common issues like carpal tunnel syndrome to complex fractures requiring surgical intervention.
Don’t let hand and wrist pain limit your potential. Our specialists are here to guide you through every step of your recovery journey, helping you return to the activities you love with confidence and comfort. Let’s start your recovery journey.
What are the causes of hand and wrist pain?
Pain in the hand or wrist can have a range of causes, from accidental injury to lifelong conditions. Below are some of the common conditions affecting hands and wrists.
Overuse and Repetitive Strain
Carpal tunnel syndrome – A condition where the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
Tendinitis – Inflammation of the tendons (tissues that connect muscles to bones) due to overuse or repetitive motions, resulting in pain and stiffness around joints.
Trigger finger – A condition where inflammation causes a finger or thumb to catch or lock in a bent position when trying to straighten it, often accompanied by a clicking sensation.
Repetitive strain injuries – Gradual damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves caused by repetitive motions or sustained awkward positions, commonly affecting people who perform repetitive tasks like typing or assembly work.
Injuries
Sprains and strains – Sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments (tissues connecting bones), while strains involve stretched or torn muscles or tendons, both causing pain, swelling, and limited movement.
Fractures – Broken bones in the hand, wrist, or fingers, typically caused by falls, direct blows, or crushing injuries, resulting in severe pain, swelling, and inability to use the affected area normally.
Dislocations – Displacement of bones from their normal position at a joint, causing intense pain, visible deformity, and complete loss of joint function until the bones are repositioned.
Cuts or puncture wounds affecting nerves or tendons – Deep wounds that damage the nerves or tendons beneath the skin, potentially causing numbness, weakness, or inability to move fingers or thumb properly.
Arthritis Pain in the Hand or Wrist
Osteoarthritis – A degenerative joint disease where cartilage gradually wears away over time, causing bones to rub together and resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced joint mobility.
Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining, causing chronic inflammation, pain, swelling, and potential joint deformity.
Psoriatic arthritis – A type of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis, causing joint pain, swelling, and stiffness along with skin symptoms.
Other Medical Conditions
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis – Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain that worsens when grasping, pinching, or moving the thumb.
Ganglion cysts – Noncancerous, fluid-filled lumps that develop along tendons or joints, most commonly on the wrist, which may cause pain or interfere with joint movement.
Cubital tunnel syndrome – Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow that causes numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers, along with potential weakness in hand grip.
Dupuytren’s contracture – A condition where fibrous tissue in the palm thickens and contracts, gradually pulling one or more fingers into a permanently bent position.
Gout – A form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposits in joints, typically causing sudden, severe pain and swelling, often affecting the base of the big toe but can occur in hands and wrists.
What are the symptoms of hand and wrist pain?
Hand and wrist pain comes in many forms, from sharp bursts to dull, prolonged aches. Experiences differ between patients and vary depending on the underlying cause of your issue.
Pain experiences might include:
- Pain that radiates up the forearm or down the fingers
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Pain that is heightened during the night or early morning
It’s also common for hand and wrist conditions to restrict movement. You might find it difficult to clench your fist, extend your fingers, or perform daily activities due to stiffness and tension in the joints.
Other physical symptoms may include:
- Swelling
- Visible lumps, like cysts or growths
- Burning sensations
- Clumsiness, or difficulty holding objects
- A wrist or fingers that lock in place
- Warmth or redness around the joints
- A change in coloration, such as blue or red fingers.
If you’ve been experiencing some of these symptoms for more than a few days, it might be time to seek professional help.
How do our specialists treat hand and wrist pain?
Our hand and wrist specialists work closely with you on your recovery journey, focusing on non-surgical methods to support natural healing. We only suggest surgery in the most serious of cases. All our specialists are experienced surgeons.
Non-Surgical Care Includes:
-
- Rest and Activity Changes: Avoiding what hurts and gentle movement to prevent stiffness.
- Physical Therapy: Strengthening hand and wrist muscles, stretching, and improving movement.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relief and stronger options for more severe pain.
- Ice and Heat: Ice for new injuries and swelling, heat for muscle stiffness and long-term pain.
- Support: We may suggest temporary support, like bands or slings, to brace your hand or wrist while it heals.
Other options we may suggest include:
Injection Therapies
Corticosteroid injections are a pain-relieving procedure, the effects of which can last for months. We may suggest a course of injections in cases of severe or long-lasting pain.
Surgical Procedures
Serious cases, like hand fractures or breaks, usually require surgical intervention. This might involve setting or pinning bones to promote healing. Our team is experienced surgeons with expertise in performing a range of more invasive treatments.
Other conditions may require endoscopic surgery, like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Why are we among NYC’s best hand and wrist specialists?
For generations, New Yorkers have trusted our renowned hand and wrist surgeons. What makes us a top choice?
- Joint Health First: We prioritize your joint well-being, crucial for maintaining an active, healthy life.
- Complete Care Solutions: Our exceptional specialists offer expert, caring support for a wide range of hand and wrist problems, from diagnosis through to full recovery.
- Successful Non-Surgical Options: We effectively resolve over 90% of hand and wrist issues with our orthopedic treatments, often avoiding surgery.
We are fully committed to your complete recovery. This involves conservative treatments and expert surgical care when necessary.
Read some of our patient reviews below.
What are some of the conditions our hand and wrist doctors treat?
Our surgeons treat several conditions right here in New York. Below are just some of the hand and wrist issues we see.
- Arthritis & Osteoarthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Ganglion Cysts
- Hand Fracture Treatment
Our best-rated hand and wrist specialists in NYC
New York Bone & Joint Specialists is dedicated to providing exceptional care and ensuring the long-term health and function of your joints, offering every patient peace of mind.
We prioritize preserving the body’s natural structures, a philosophy that enables 90% of patients to recover without surgery, promoting long-term joint health.
Our expert doctors, who bring decades of experience in treating hand and wrist problems, mobility issues, and injuries, provide this specialized care. More information about our team of experts is available above.
