What is a Hand and Wrist Specialist Called?

A doctor who specializes in the hand, wrist is often referred to as a Hand Specialist. These orthopedic doctors typically treat the injuries and illnesses related to these very complex and important parts of the body. The hand and wrist are made up of 29 different bones, muscles and ligaments that enable a wide range of critical movement for human functioning.

An orthopedic surgeon is a highly trained physician whose overall focus is on the human body’s musculoskeletal system. This includes bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Orthopedic doctors specializing in the hand and wrist have extensive knowledge of the bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, and tendons in the hand and wrist and the mechanics of every specific part of each of these joints. 

What is a Hand Specialist?

A hand specialist is a type of orthopedic doctor whose specialty is in treating, diagnosing, and preventing all injuries and illnesses related to the hand and wrist. These doctors have a deep knowledge of the complex system of muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, and bones that make up the hand and wrist. They may work with patients that have an acute injury to their hand or wrist as well as patients who are having more long-term, chronic conditions that affect mobility and function. 

While you may perceive pain in your hand as normal, some types of pain should be addressed immediately by a hand specialist. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact an orthopedic doctor at OrthoConnecticut that specializes in hand and wrist: 

• Persistent pain and discomfort, even when your hand is not moving
• Symptoms that do not improve 
• Loss of muscle tone or function in your hand 
• A numb or tingling sensation in your hand, wrist, or fingers 
• Pain that reaches to your elbow 
• Pain or difficulty doing activities of daily living 
• Pain, swelling, or redness that gets worse with activity
• Difficulty picking things up or with small hand motions

Some of these symptoms may signal that you have a serious condition such as a dislocation, fracture, or break and should be evaluated by a specialist.

What Are Common Conditions Affecting the Hand

Two of the most common conditions affecting the hand are carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is essentially a pinched nerve in your wrist. This can be caused by a combination of different factors including repeated hand use, prolonged flexion or extension of the hand or wrist, sex, age, heredity, or having diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. Those with carpal tunnel may experience pain, numbness, or tingling in the hand and arm. 

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that affect the hand. Over 58 million Americans are living with some form of arthritis. Arthritis in your hand will usually occur in the base of your thumb, your finger joints, or your knuckles. It is generally caused by older age and is most common in adults over the age of 50. You are also more likely to get arthritis if you’ve had multiple previous injuries to your hand, wrist, or fingers such as broken or dislocated bones and joints. 

While carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis are the most common conditions that affect the hand, they’re not the only ones. Here are some other common issues that occur in the hand and wrist: 

• Fractures
• Dupuytren’s Disease
• Sports Injuries 
• Nerve Injuries
• Wrist/Finger Instability
• Ganglion Cysts
• Tendon Disorders 

What Type of Doctor Should I See for Hand Pain?

If you’re experiencing hand pain that doesn’t improve with rest, you should see an orthopedic doctor at OrthoConnecticut that specializes in treating the hand and wrist. These hand and wrist specialists are experts in understanding the complexity of the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves that make up the hand and wrist. 

How do you Treat Sore Hands?

There are a variety of options for treating sore hands. The method you choose ultimately depends on your condition and what your doctor prescribes. The very first thing you should do is try to rest your hands as much as possible. If you are suffering from arthritis in your hands, you may use a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that you rub onto your hands to relieve pain. For something like carpal tunnel syndrome, you can do at-home exercises to strengthen your hand’s muscles and nerves. For more acute injuries, you might work with heat and cold to treat your soreness. If you do end up experiencing serious pain, you should contact a hand and wrist specialist at OrthoConnecticut right away. 

Can an Orthopedic Doctor Treat Carpal Tunnel?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions that orthopedic doctors treat. Depending on the severity of your carpal tunnel, a physician may prescribe any number of approaches. For mild carpal tunnel, they may prescribe icing, rest, anti-inflammatories, or a wrist splint. If your carpal tunnel is more severe, an orthopedic doctor may recommend a simple surgical treatment to treat the issue.