Hand Condition Information

Hand Conditions, Treatments and Procedures

Why Visit a Hand Surgeon?

The hand is a unique area of the human body that is made up of bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessels.  These elements must all be in good working order for the hand to function well.  The relationship between all these structures is delicate and refined.  An injury or disease can affect any or all of these structures and impair the use of the hand.

A qualified hand surgeon is trained to diagnose and treat all problems related to these different structures in the hand, wrist, and forearm.  Hand surgeons have received specialized additional training in the treatment of hand problems beyond their board certified specialty training in orthopaedic surgery, plastic surgery, or general surgery.  To become members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, hand surgeons must have completed a full year of such additional training and must pass a rigorous certifying examination.

Many hand surgeons also have expertise with problems of the elbow, arm, and shoulder.  Some hand surgeons treat only children, some treat only adults, and some treat both.  Common problems treated include:

  • carpal tunnel syndrome
  • tennis elbow
  • wrist pain
  • sports injuries of the hand and wrist
  • fractures of the hand, wrist, and forearm
  • trigger finger

Other problems treated by hand surgeons include arthritis, nerve and tendon injuries, and congenital limb differences (birth defects).  Not all problems treated by a hand surgeon require surgery.  Hand surgeons often recommend non-surgical treatments such as medication, splints, therapy, or injections.

If you have pain in your fingers, hand, wrist, or arm, or if you have other upper-extremity related concerns, you may want to consult a hand surgeon.

About Hand Surgery

Our hands serve many purposes.  Hands help us eat, dress, write, earn a living, create art, and do many other activities.  To accomplish these tasks and activities, our hands require sensation and movement, such as joint motion, tendon gliding, and muscle contraction.

When a problem takes place in the hand, care must be given to all the different types of tissues that make function of the hand possible.  Hand surgeons are specifically trained to give that care:

  • Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with problems of the hand, wrist, and forearm.
  • Hand surgeons care for these problems with and without surgery, and they are specially trained to operate when necessary.
  • Many hand surgeons are also experts in diagnosing and caring for shoulder and elbow problems.
  • Hand surgeons are orthopaedic, plastic, or general surgeons who have additional training in surgery of the hand.

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand therapy helps a patient regain maximum use of his or her hand after injury, surgery, or the onset of disease.  Treatment is provided by a hand therapist.  To become a hand therapist, a health care professional must first train as an occupational or physical therapist, and then receive additional training in hand therapy.

Hand therapists teach exercises, apply modalities, and create custom splints to help the hand heal and to protect it from additional injury.