Common Problems of the Hand and Wrist

Problems affecting the hand and wrist are very common, especially with age. Because the hand and wrist have 27 bones, there are naturally many joints and these joints are in motion all the time.

Common hand and wrist disorders include:

• Arthritis, either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid.
• Wrist sprains.
• Broken or fractured bones.
• Carpel tunnel syndrome.
• Nerve injuries.

Arthritis in particular can be very painful and debilitating in your hands.

Diagnosing hand and wrist ailments usually requires an examination by a physician or orthopedic specialist along with diagnostic imaging, including X-ray, and/or CT scan, and MRI. If nerve damage is suspected, you may undergo electromyography, which analyzes electrical activity in your muscles. Because of the intricacies of the hand and wrist, quite often you may be referred to an orthopedic specialist who works solely with hand and wrist problems in patients.

Treating hand and wrist problems is often a multi-phased process involving rest, ice, compression, stabilization of joints using sleeves and braces, and medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Surgery can be performed to correct a great number of hand and wrist problems. Your physician or specialist may recommend surgery to repair ligaments, relieve pain associated with carpel tunnel syndrome, or to even replace finger or wrist joints damaged by arthritis.

Click here to learn more about common problems of the hand and wrist from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.