A hand doctor is an orthopedic physician who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions and injuries affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm. Our feet move us from point A to point B, but our hands allow us to touch, hold, grab, carry, and create. Needless to say, taking care of them is critical for our well-being, productivity, and quality of life.
Even if you have no issues or symptoms in your hands, it is important to maintain good health. Meanwhile, if you’re experiencing pain, tenderness, stiffness, or tingling, seeing a hand doctor as early as possible can help relieve symptoms and restore your hands to normal function quickly and effectively. Many conditions and injuries can leave long-lasting affects if not dealt with quickly.
Here are a few examples of conditions that hand doctors treat.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of median nerve compression (located in the wrist) and causes pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Possible causes include repetitive hand motions, poor ergonomics, and other health conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome may need to wear a brace or splint to keep the wrist in a straight position, refrain from activities that exasperate symptoms, and perform physical therapy exercises.
Hand Arthritis
The hand’s joints, just like other joints in the body, can develop arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes cartilage between joints to break down. Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic inflammation in joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in affected joints and eventually lead to permanent damage. Without proper management, arthritis can cause severe, debilitating pain, and deformity. A hand doctor can help control symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. This can save your joints from rapid deterioration and preserve function and quality of life for as long as possible.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts develop in the hand as a result of a herniation from a tendon sheath or capsule. Ganglion cysts are benign tumors that you can feel under the skin. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and weakness in the wrist. A hand doctor can perform an aspiration to drain cyst fluid, which helps relieve symptoms.
Hand Injuries
You can injure your hand while playing sports, exercising, working, cleaning, and through many other activities. Common injuries of the hand range from soft tissue injuries, fractures, and dislocations to blunt trauma lacerations and loss of fingers. Bites and wounds on the hand can become infected or you can get burns. Hand doctors are skilled and experienced in administering non-surgical and surgical treatment to the full range of hand injuries.
Hand Doctor in Pembroke Pines and Lauderdale Lakes
The orthopedic surgeons at Total Orthopaedic Care provide comprehensive care for patients with hand and wrist problems. There is no need to prolong the agony — your hands deserve proper care and treatment that only a hand specialist can deliver.
Our health care team strives to provide superior, patient-centric care, so you not only experience immediate relief from your symptoms, but also have a positively memorable experience in our facility. For your convenience, we accept same-day appointments for new injuries.
Call Total Orthopaedic Care at (954) 735-3535 to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online now.
