Orthopaedics at Piedmont Medical Center:

Expert Treatment of the Hand and Wrist

The Orthopaedic Specialists at Piedmont Medical Center of Rock Hill SC have the skill and experience to effectively treat the various acute conditions of the hand and wrist.

Problems or diseases of the hands and wrist can cause a large amount of concern, as we use our hands to carry out a large part of daily tasks. Even a small degree of discomfort or a mild deformity can cause serious consequences.  

The hand and wrist specialists at Piedmont Medical Center can diagnose and treat the full array of conditions of the hand and wrist, including:

• Arthritis (Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis) is an inflammation of a joint in the hand or wrist, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and sometimes a change in structure.  The pain associated with arthritis may be from many different sources, including inflammation of joint linings, tendons and ligaments.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, a narrow confined space. Since the median nerve provides sensory and motor functions to the thumb and three middle fingers of the hand, many symptoms may result.
• Chronic wrist pain
• Congenital disorders of the hand or wrist are deformities that are present at birth. Any type of deformity in a newborn infant can become a challenge for the child as he or she grows. The degree of deformity in the hand or wrist varies from a minor deformity, such as a digital disproportion, to a severe deformity, such as total absence of a bone.
• Contractures of the hand or wrist, such as Dupuytren's contracture, usually begin with a thickening of the skin in the palm of the hand, which may develop into a hard lump or thick band that eventually could cause the fingers to contract, or pull into the palm.

§  Hand trauma, including amputation: In order to diagnose and treat your hand trauma or injury, your Piedmont Orthopaedic physician will need to know your age, hand preference, occupation; any history of other problems with the affected extremity; the type of hand trauma that occurred; when and where the hand trauma occurred; other circumstances about the hand trauma (i.e., was it work related, with a contaminated piece of machinery or chemical); and the position of your thumb during the injury or fall.

§  Ligament and tendon repair in the hand and wrist: Tendons are the fibers that attach muscles of the hand and wrist to bone. Tendon injuries can occur due to infection, trauma, or spontaneous rupture.  Treatment for most tendon problems may include activity modification, ice, splinting or immobilization, steroid injections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or surgery.

• Nerve damage in the hand and wrist due to injury may result in decreased ability to move the hand and experience feeling. Some nerve injuries to the hand or wrist may heal on their own, while others require surgery.
• Nerve compression syndromes of the hand and wrist

§  Hand and wrist sports injuries: Most sports injuries are due to either trauma or overuse of muscles or joints. The majority of sports injuries are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, or tendons including contusions (bruises,) sprains or strains.

• Sprains are a partial or complete tear of a ligament in the hand or wrist.

§  Hand or wrist tumors: The most common type of benign (non-cancerous), soft-tissue tumor of the hand and wrist is called a ganglion cyst. This soft, fluid-filled cyst can develop on the front or back of the hand for no apparent reason. Symptoms may include wrist pain that is aggravated with repeated use or irritation; a slow growing, localized swelling, with mild aching and weakness in the wrist; and an apparent cyst that is smooth, firm, rounded, and/or tender.

• Work-related injuries to the hand or wrist

Contact the Orthopaedic Specialists of Piedmont Medical Center Today

The Orthopaedic Specialists at Piedmont Medical Center of Rock Hill SC will provide expert diagnosis and skilled, compassionate treatment of your hand or wrist condition. We invite you to contact us at 803-329-1234 to learn more. Click here for a physician referral.