Hand & Wrist
The human hand has 27 small bones. Eight of these bones are found in the wrist, five are in the palm, and the remaining 14 bones are located in your thumbs and fingers. The hand is surrounded by a complex group of muscles and nerve endings that allow you to touch and sense the world around you. The hand and wrist also allow you to perform everyday tasks like grasping a coffee cup, writing with a pen, and waving hello.
The hand and wrist can be affected by many conditions associated with either age or trauma to the area. Fractures, sprains, tendonitis, and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by pressure on the median nerve, can cause uncomfortable and sometimes painful symptoms.
However, the most common condition is arthritis, which means “inflamed joint”. A healthy joint consists of two smooth, cartilage-covered bone surfaces that fit together as a matched set. The cartilage allows the bones to move smoothly against each other. Arthritis results when these smooth surfaces become irregular and do not fit together well anymore and essentially wear out. The most common forms of arthritis in the hand are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis (after an injury), and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis can also develop in the wrist.
If you are experiencing stiffness, swelling, tingling, aching or other symptoms in the hand or wrist, please contact us. An orthopedic surgeon who specializes in conditions of the hand and wrist can diagnose the problem and recommend the right treatment for you.