Upper Extremity and Hand Symptoms We Treat
From the fingertips to the elbow, the Fort Worth Hand Center physicians treat everything from sports injuries and joint replacement to chronic conditions, age-related complications and trauma. Our patient-centered approach helps you find the treatment that works for your needs, goals and lifestyle.
Symptoms Fingertips to Elbows: What Hurts?
Deformities
Locking Fingers
Numbness and Tingling
Pain
Traumatic Injuries
Weakness
Conditions We Treat
- Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
- Ulnar Nerve/Median Nerve Palsy
- Wrist Fractures
- Wrist Sprains
- Wrist Strains
Deformities
Hand deformities can be separated into two categories; congenital or acquired. A congenital deformity is present at birth, while an acquired deformity is a result of an injury or disease.
Congenital Hand Deformities
Congenital hand deformities are most often treated as soon as the child is deemed old enough, assuming treatment is available. It is not uncommon for children to grow into adulthood without correcting the problem. If you fall into this category, we recommend considering seeing a pediatric hand surgeon at a children’s hospital for these hand symptoms.
Acquired Hand Deformities Hand Symptoms
Acquired hand deformities are those resulting from injury or disease. These hand symptoms should be treated promptly, if possible, to avoid surgical treatment. Some common deformities are:
- Dupuytren’s Contracture (Palmer Fibromatosis) is a progressive tightening of the bands of fibrous tissue (called fascia) inside the palms, causing a curling in of the fingers that eventually can result in a claw-like hand.
- Arthritis is a condition in which cartilage (the padding between bones) breaks down, resulting in abnormal joints. In addition to causing pain and decreased motion hand symptoms, arthritis is a leading cause of hand and finger deformities. Surgery to replace, reshape or fuse arthritic joints is an effective way to improve appearance as well as function.
- Tendon abnormalities such as abnormal tightness, laxity or tendon laceration can disrupt the delicate balance of the fingers or wrist, resulting in deformity and loss of motion. Common examples of tendon abnormalities include mallet finger, swan-neck deformity, boutonniere deformity, tendon rupture or penetrating trauma resulting in laceration of the tendons.
- Masses such as ganglion cysts, bone spurs, tumors or swollen joints can be unattractive or painful hand symptoms. Additionally, some masses are concerning for malignancy, and should be evaluated or removed.
If you suspect that you or a loved one have or may be developing an acquired deformity, contact the Fort Worth Hand Center today for an appointment to do a full evaluation, proper diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.
Locking Fingers
Locking fingers, also called Locking of Digits or Trigger Finger is a painful condition affecting the fingers or thumb that happens when the flexor tendon, catches locks or snaps into a bent position. In some cases, injury or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can inflame the outer sheath of the tendon, hindering smooth movement of the tendons and causing the finger to catch or lock in a bent position before popping back in to a straight position.
Trigger Finger symptoms often include:
- Locking
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Clicking or popping sounds
Treatment options for trigger finger will vary based on the severity and duration of the condition and may include rest, exercise, splinting, anti-inflammatory medication, in office procedures or surgery. For more information on Trigger Finger or to request an appointment, contact Fort Worth Hand Center today.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling in your hand or upper extremity are both unpleasant sensations. Numbness is a reduced or absent feeling in the skin, while tingling is often referred to as a “pins and needles” sensation. The most common reason associated with these two hand symptoms is a problem with nerve function. It can be a result of an injury to the nerve, something pressing on the nerve or an imbalance in the body’s chemistry which interferes with nerve function.
Numbness and tingling of hand(s) and finger(s) is commonly associated with conditions such as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Ganglion Cysts
- Arthritic Spurs
Most causes of numbness and tingling are not dangerous, however in some cases, these hand symptoms may be indicative of something more severe. If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms, contact Fort Worth Hand Center for an evaluation, diagnosis and to learn more about available treatment options.
Pain Hand Symptoms
Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to sheer agony. It can be contained to a discrete area, as in an injury, or it can be more diffuse as in some disorders.
Hand, wrist, and general upper extremity pain can have many causes, including injury and disease. Hand and wrist pain are most often characterized as overuse and bone, muscle and joint problems. Overuse problems includes conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Bone, muscle and joint problems are inclusive of conditions such as trigger finger or trigger thumb.
Common causes of pain in hand, wrist, arm and general upper extremities can include:
- Rotator cuff
- Brachial Plexopathy
- Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s Elbow
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other compressive neuropathies
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Deep masses
- Trauma
Traumatic Injuries
Because hands are the most often used parts of the body, they are often considered the most frequently injured part of the body. Our physicians at Fort Worth Hand Center provide expertise for hand, wrist, arm and elbow traumas, sports injuries, and other extraordinary situations. They bring state of the art techniques and proven procedures to the most challenging injuries. Our doctors are watchful of new innovations, equipment, and ideas, they are prepared to serve patients with severe trauma, complex surgery, and advanced treatment.
The hand, wrist, and elbow are critical to athletic performance. Whether you play professionally or play hard on the weekends, sports injuries present unique challenges and recovery objectives.
Hand symptoms and injuries account for nearly 10% of hospital emergency department visits and can include:
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Breaks, fractures and dislocations
- Sprains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Infections
- Burns
Were you hurt in an accident? The Fort Worth Hand Center can help anyone. Whether you’re a factory worker who suffers from repetitive motion injuries or a construction worker who has suffered a traumatic injury, our physicians treat a wide range of work related injuries. Contact Fort Worth Hand Center for an evaluation, diagnosis and to learn more about available treatment options.
Weakness
Weakness is categorized as reduced strength in one or more muscles. With your hands, it is commonly accompanied by loss of ability to grip, grasp and pinch, often leaving you unable to perform everyday vital functions. Some of the common causes associated with hand symptoms of weakness, loss of grip, grasp and pinch in hands are:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Overuse
- Edema
- Fractured bone(s) in hand or arm
If you or your loved one is experiencing weakness or reduction of strength in your hands or other hand symptoms which affect your everyday functions, contact Fort Worth Hand Center to determine the right treatment options for you.