Hand, Wrist, & Elbow Conditions & Injuries in the Merced County Region

Often treated at Dignity Health, hand, wrist, and elbow conditions and injuries are common. Adults and children both can experience a broken bone, sprained wrist or hand, and repetitive stress injuries such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Other conditions, such as arthritis, are more common as you age.

To avoid disability and other complications, it’s best to have an experienced orthopedist at Dignity Health evaluate any type of hand, wrist, or elbow injury to ensure it heals properly and determine if you need treatment.

Our experts can help relieve the discomfort you feel from a hand, wrist, or elbow condition or injury in Merced County or surrounding areas. Find a Doctor today to learn more about our award-winning care or to ask us about our regularly scheduled orthopedic events.

Conditions & Injuries of the Hand

Signs and symptoms of hand conditions and injuries include swelling, tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain. You also may have difficulty moving and using your hand, fingers, or thumb.

Common hand conditions and injuries include:

• Nerve injuries, resulting in numbness and loss of movement
• Tendon injuries, including cut, torn, or detached tendons
• Broken fingers and other fractures
• Dislocation of hand and finger bones
• Ganglion cyst, a fluid-filled mass along a tendon or joint
• Trigger finger or thumb, an irritated and inflamed tendon
• Arthritis of the hand or thumb

Conditions & Injuries of the Wrist

Acute injury and damage to the many bones, ligaments, and tendons in the wrist can result in pain and stiffness, finger numbness, and the inability to move your wrist through its full range of motion.

Common wrist conditions and injuries include:

• Pseudogout, painful crystals irritate hand and wrist joints
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dislocations and wrist fractures (distal radius fracture)

Overuse from repetitive motions, including those made during sports activities, are a common cause of many wrist conditions, including tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and strains. These are often chronic problems that develop slowly and last for weeks or months. If your injury is sports related, meet with one of our sports medicine specialists for personalized care.

Conditions & Injuries of the Elbow

Pain, tenderness, limited range of motion stiffness, swelling, and warmth are the most common symptoms of an elbow condition or injury.

Common elbow conditions and injuries include:

• Strains and sprains
• Tendonitis, including golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
• Arthritis and bursitis
• Dislocations and fractures

Treating Hand, Wrist, & Elbow Conditions & Injuries

Many hand, wrist, and elbow conditions and injuries respond to rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes, corticosteroid shots are necessary. Your orthopedist may recommend surgery to repair damage from severe or complex injuries, or when your condition does not get better with conservative treatments. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help speed your recovery and prevent future problems.

As part of our professional orthopedic services, Dignity Health provides quality care for hand, wrist, and elbow conditions and injuries in Merced County.