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Hand and Wrist Pain services offered in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, Jersey City and West Orange, NJ
It’s easy to take your hands for granted when they’re in good working order; after all, pain-free hands perform countless tasks every single day. Because your hands are involved in virtually everything you do, dealing with any type of hand or wrist pain can make your life miserable. The top-notch team of pain specialists at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics provide comprehensive treatment options for New Jersey area patients with hand and wrist pain. Call today or book your appointment online at one of four convenient locations in Clifton, Jersey City, Edison, Paramus, or Hazlet, New Jersey.
Hand and Wrist Pain Q & A
What causes hand and wrist pain?
Hand and wrist pain is generally caused by one of the following:
- Acute trauma
- Improper use
- Overuse
- Musculoskeletal disorder
- Systemic disease
Sprains, strains, and fractures are common when hands are used incorrectly or assertively to lift and carry heavy items, operate machinery, brace against a fall, or play sports.
A strain occurs when the muscles or tendons in your hands and wrists stretch or tear, while a sprain occurs when a ligament is forcefully stretched or twisted to the point where it causes pain and swelling.
Fractures occur when the force that strikes a bone is greater than the resistance of the bone itself. Hand and wrist fractures are extremely painful and must be immediately addressed by a physician.
Systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis also cause hand and wrist discomfort or pain. Other pain conditions develop over extended periods of time, usually from continually using your hands and wrists in a specific way.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is the result of a pinched or compressed nerve in your wrist, usually affects your dominant hand most severely.
Early signs of CTS usually include intermittent tingling, numbness, or pain in your thumb, index, and middle fingers. You may also experience pain or discomfort in your wrist, through the palm of your hand, or up your arm.
Other common symptoms include:
- Ongoing pain or discomfort, especially after activity
- A weak grip or inability to grasp small objects
- Wrist and hand pain that wakes you at night
How is hand and wrist pain diagnosed?
For most cases of hand and wrist pain, the team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics uses diagnostic ultrasound to evaluate the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and other relevant structures.
This technique involves a handheld probe that emits high-frequency sound waves, which bounce off the structures inside your hand and wrist. A computer receives the reflected sound waves and uses them to create a detailed picture or video image of those structures.
How is chronic hand and wrist pain treated?
The pain management physicians at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics have the expertise and experience to analyze hand or wrist conditions that cause pain, swelling, numbness, or tingling, and provide the appropriate treatment.
It’s important to treat persistent hand and wrist pain as early as possible to reduce the risk of long-term nerve damage. Initial treatment for chronic conditions like CTS or arthritis may include:
- Resting the affected hand
- Changing patterns of hand use
- Wearing a wrist-hand brace
- Having steroid injections
Garden State Pain & Orthopedics also offers ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to help alleviate hand and wrist pain while restoring function.
PRP therapy, which uses a small amount of your own blood plasma injected directly at the source of pain, promotes rapid soft tissue, cartilage, and bone regeneration by harnessing the power of numerous highly-concentrated growth factors.