Hand Pain & Problems

The hand is a complex group of joints (wrist, hand, thumb and fingers), as well as tendons, ligament, muscles and nerves. Hand pain and other problems are common complaints that usually respond well to accurate assessment and early treatment at Lancaster Orthopedic Group.

Common hand problems include:

Sprains: Sprains occur when fingers, thumbs or wrists are bent out of their normal range of movement, causing damage to the ligaments that connect the bones and support the joints.

Dislocations: A dislocation occurs when two bones that form a joint become displaced, damaging the blood vessels, ligaments and other soft tissue in the process. Dislocations are most common among young people.

Fractures: Fractures of hands, fingers, thumbs and wrists are very common and can be caused by sports injuries, car accidents, falls, or osteoporosis (bone weakening related to aging).

Tendinitis: Tendinitis is a condition in which one or more of the tendons in a joint become inflamed or irritated. It is most common in people who perform repetitive activities using the hand and arm, such as computer users, workers on factory production lines, and athletes who throw and catch balls and play racquet sports.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway of bones and ligaments at the base of the hand. Passing through this “tunnel” are tendons that connect the muscles in your forearm with your hand, and a nerve called the median nerve. Pressure on the median nerve may cause what is known as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis, also called wear-and-tear arthritis, is the progressive wearing down of the healthy cushioning tissue between the joints, called articular cartilage, which acts as a natural shock absorber between the bones. It can affect almost any joint in the body, but the hand, fingers and wrist are common locations.

If you are experiencing hand pain or other problems, the hand subspecialists at Lancaster Orthopedic Group can offer a variety of nonsurgical and surgical treatments that may provide relief from your symptoms and help you get back to your everyday activities as quickly as possible.