DAVE WATTS, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Hand and Wrist
Thanks to opposable thumbs, our hands are capable of great feats, from writing and typing, to knitting sweaters, to building homes, to holding other hands. With the wide range of activities our hands perform, it’s no wonder that hand and wrist injuries are so common, and so debilitating. When you experience hand or wrist pain or injury, you want immediate relief. The qualified and experienced physicians at Sioux Falls Orthopedics are the orthopedic hand and wrist specialist Sioux Falls residents need to relieve pain and return to everyday activities.
At Sioux Falls Orthopedics, our board-certified hand and wrist orthopedic surgeons are more than capable of providing the comprehensive care you need to regain use of your most vital extremities. Whether you need hand surgery, wrist surgery, rehabilitative care, or all of the above, you’ll receive the customized and compassionate care you deserve throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Are you experiencing numbness, tingling, swelling, throbbing, pain, or grinding sensations in your hand, wrist, or arm? Are you unable to straighten or bend your fingers or your wrist? These common symptoms could result from a variety of injuries or disorders, and the specialists at Sioux Falls Orthopedics are prepared to help you face them head-on.
What are some of the most common hand and wrist issues we encounter at Sioux Falls Orthopedics?
Arthritis of the Thumb
Arthritis can affect bones and joints throughout the body, and causes could be as simple as age and heredity. However, wear and tear to cartilage from the ends of bones can also contribute to and exacerbate the condition, and considering how much we use our thumbs, it’s no surprise that arthritis of the thumb is so common.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A major nerve runs through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist and into the hand, and when it becomes compressed, patients can experience symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain in the fingers, the hand, and the arm. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is often caused by repetitive motion, which means it could result from activities ranging from typing, to sewing, to kneading dough, to playing an instrument, just for example. Wrist fractures and other trauma can also be responsible for this common condition.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
The ulnar nerve, more commonly referred to as the funny bone, can suffer from stress or pressure that causes tingling, weakness, numbness, or pain to radiate down the arm and into the hand and fingers. This is known as cubital tunnel syndrome.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Characterized by inflammation of the tendons at the base of the thumb, this condition could cause patients to experience pain on the thumb side of the wrist when turning the wrist, making a fist, or grasping items. The causes of this condition are unclear, but it can be exacerbated by repetitive motion.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
This deformity of the hand can take years to develop, and although it is painless, it can affect the function of the hand. This is because the condition causes fibrous connective tissue to develop, forming knots under the skin of the hand that can cause the fingers (mainly the ring and pinky fingers, although all could be affected) to contract, or bend.
Fractures of the Hand, Wrist, or Finger
Because we use our hands for so many purposes, they are often in harm’s way. In addition to common repetitive motion injuries, fractures of the hand, wrist, or fingers can occur in the course of your work, activities like sports, or even everyday life. If you suffer from pain, swelling, and other symptoms that could indicate a fracture, you need to seek immediate diagnosis and treatment.
When you’re in need of an orthopedic hand doctor for any type of injury or condition that causes pain or affects functionality, the specialists at Sioux Falls Orthopedics are ready to deliver the expert diagnosis, advice, and care you need to regain function and alleviate pain. Contact us at 605-336-2638 today for more information and to schedule an appointment.