Signs You Need to Visit a Hand Specialist Q&A

Maintaining the health and functionality of your hands is crucial, and knowing when to consult a hand specialist can make all the difference. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for various hand-related issues.

If you’re experiencing ongoing discomfort or changes in your hand’s function, it’s important to consult a hand specialist. Common signs that warrant an appointment include persistent pain in the hand, wrist, or forearm that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relief, especially if it affects your daily activities. Sharp, burning, or throbbing pain, particularly if it radiates along your arm or fingers, can also be a red flag. Additionally, if you notice swelling, redness, or warmth around the area, it may indicate an infection or inflammatory condition.

A decreased range of motion or strength in your hand, along with stiffness or locking of the fingers or wrist, should also be addressed by a specialist. Numbness or tingling in your hands or fingers, especially if it affects your ability to grip objects, can be a sign of nerve-related issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. Swelling, visible bumps, or lumps on the skin may indicate conditions such as Dupuytren’s contracture. If you experience deformity, instability, or weakness in the hand or wrist, or have difficulty performing fine motor tasks, a hand specialist can help diagnose and treat these issues. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, fractures, arthritis, or tendonitis are also common reasons to seek quality care.

Dr. Charles Soma emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to improve outcomes and minimize long-term complications. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or a chronic condition that has worsened, our team is equipped to provide advanced care options tailored to your needs.

Hand specialists treat a wide variety of conditions that affect the function and comfort of the hand, wrist, and forearm. Traumatic conditions such as fractures, dislocations, and sprains, often caused by accidents or injuries, are commonly addressed. Hand specialists also treat lacerations, cuts, puncture wounds, and nerve or tendon injuries, including damage to flexor and extensor tendons. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves pressure on the median nerve causing pain, tingling, and numbness, are also treated.

Repetitive motion injuries, such as tendinitis and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, are common among people who perform repetitive tasks. Ganglion cysts and Dupuytren’s contracture, which cause thickening and tightening of the palm tissue, are conditions that can be effectively managed by hand specialists. Arthritis, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout affecting the hand and wrist, is treated with a focus on pain relief and maintaining functionality.

Hand specialists also manage infections like septic arthritis and cellulitis, as well as abscesses from injuries or other systemic conditions. Congenital anomalies, such as cleft hand or syndactyly, are corrected, and nerve entrapment issues, including ulnar nerve entrapment or radial tunnel syndrome, are treated.

At our practice, our hand specialists work closely with other specialists to deliver comprehensive, personalized care. Their combined expertise ensures optimal hand and upper extremity function, providing patients with high-quality, tailored treatment.

Visiting a hand specialist for the first time can be an informative and reassuring experience. Our dedicated team is committed to providing exceptional care tailored to your needs.

During your first visit to a hand specialist, you can expect a thorough and personalized evaluation to understand your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. The visit typically begins with a comprehensive review of your medical history. Be prepared to discuss the specifics of your hand issue, such as symptoms, their intensity, and duration. You’ll also be asked about any previous hand injuries, surgeries, or treatments, relevant family medical history, your occupation, and the daily activities that involve extensive hand use, as well as any medications or supplements you’re currently taking.

Next, the specialist will perform a detailed physical examination of your hands, wrists, and possibly arms. This includes inspecting the skin, nails, and joints for abnormalities, assessing range of motion, strength, and sensation, and checking for swelling, deformities, or tender spots. You may also be asked to perform specific movements or tasks to assess functionality.

If nerve involvement is suspected, nerve conduction studies may also be performed. Once all examinations and tests are complete, the specialist will discuss their findings with you and propose a personalized treatment plan. This could include conservative treatments like rest, splinting, physical therapy, medications, injections, or, if necessary, surgical options. Follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor your recovery and adjust the plan as needed. Be sure to bring any relevant medical records or imaging studies with you, and wear loose, comfortable clothing.

The recovery time after hand surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure performed, but here’s what you can generally expect:

After your surgery, your hand will be immobilized with a cast, splint, or bandage to protect and stabilize the surgical site, ensuring optimal healing. Pain management will be carefully monitored, with prescribed medications and personalized plans to manage discomfort and swelling. You’ll also receive clear activity guidelines to avoid stressing the hand during the healing process. For minor procedures like carpal tunnel release, patients may begin light activities within days to weeks, with full recovery expected in a couple of months.

As healing progresses, your cast or splint will be removed to allow for gentle movement. Physical therapy will play a key role in improving range of motion, strength, and dexterity. Your activity resumption will be guided by comfort levels and your surgeon’s recommendations. For more complex surgeries, such as those involving fractures or tendon repairs, the recovery period may be longer, and additional support will be provided.

Ongoing physical therapy will help maximize functionality and minimize stiffness. You’ll gradually return to normal activities with the support of your care team, adapting to any long-term changes in hand function. Regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon will ensure your recovery is progressing smoothly and any concerns are addressed promptly.

At NorthShore Orthopedics, we stress following your surgeon’s guidelines, doing prescribed exercises, and staying connected with our healthcare team. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to start your recovery journey. We are conveniently located at 1827 Wells St #1, Wailuku, HI 96793. We serve patients from Maui, Wailuku HI, Lahaina HI, Kahului HI, Kihei HI, Wailuku HI, Kula HI, Makawao HI, Paia HI, Wailea HI, Haiku HI, and Waihee-Waiehu HI.