At The Hand Center at Crawford Plastic Surgery, serving the greater Atlanta, GA area, Dr. Steven Bailey provides treatment of the common conditions and injuries that affect the wrist.

De Quervain?s Tendinitis

The tendons that are located at the base of the thumb pass through the first dorsal compartment, the tunnel that allows the tendons to move into the wrist. However, the tendons can become compressed or inflamed as they pass through this tunnel if its lining thickens, a condition known as De Quervain?s tendinitis. This condition is commonly caused by trauma or repetitive use, and can result in pain and swelling. Dr. Bailey can treat this condition with the use of a splint, which allows the thumb to rest for several weeks. NSAIDS and steroid injections may also be used to treat De Quervain?s tendinitis. In more serious cases, decompression surgery may be performed to treat the condition.

Distal Radial Fracture

The radius is one of the bones in the forearm, and the distal end is located near the wrist. The radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm, and the majority of distal radial fractures occur within one inch of the end of the bone. If the bone can be put back into place with a splint or cast, surgery is not necessary. However, in some cases, a pin, plate, or screw is needed to achieve proper alignment and avoid bone displacement.

Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a round growth that develops on the wrist joint. It may cause pain and affect range of motion. When tethered to a flexor tendon, ganglion cysts can inhibit grip or movement of the fingers. In some cases, the cyst will resolve on its own. When patients experience symptoms, they may undergo needle aspiration, which removes the fluid from the cyst. In the most serious cases, the ganglion cyst can be surgically removed.

Kienbock?s Disease

The lunate bone allows for proper movement and support of the wrist joint. In patients with Kienbock?s disease, blood flow to the lunate bone is reduced or lost, which can result in the death of the bone. Its symptoms include pain, stiffness, inflammation, reduced range of motion, and poor grip strength. Non-surgical treatments for Kienbock?s disease include use of a splint and NSAID medications. Surgical treatments include revascularization, Proximal Row Carpectomy, and bone fusion.

Scaphoid Fracture

Scaphoid fractures are particularly dangerous because they can cut off blood supply and deprive the bone of the nourishment it needs to repair itself. The symptoms of a scaphoid fracture affect the snuffbox, or radial fossa, which is the depression that develops where the side of the thumb meets the wrist when the thumb is extended outwards. Patients experience pain, swelling, and bruising in this area when the scaphoid is fractured. Treatment for scaphoid fractures includes a short arm thumb spica cast, bone stimulator therapy, and surgery.

Scapholunate / Ligament Injuries

The scapholunate ligament attaches the lunate and scaphoid bones of the wrist. Tears and ruptures to this ligament can result in pain in the wrist near the thumb, swelling, bruising, snapping or popping of the wrist, weak grip, and a loss of balance of the wrist. Treatment of this condition may include the use of a splint or surgery.

TFCC Tears / Wrist Arthroscopy

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) provides stability, cushioning, and easy movement of the wrist joint. A TFCC tear can result in pain at the base of the pinky finger and wrist, pain that occurs when the wrist is bent side to side, swelling, clicking, and reduced grip strength. Treatment of TFCC tears may include the use of a splint, NSAID medications, injection therapy, or wrist arthroscopy.

 

Contact The Hand Center at Crawford Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment at our practice.