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Hand and Wrist Care

When patients suffer from injuries or pain to the hand or wrist, getting the right treatment is crucial. At Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we have the largest and most comprehensive team of fellowship-trained hand and wrist specialists in the Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio areas. Our physicians have received specialized additional training in the treatment of hand problems beyond their board-certified specialty training in orthopedic surgery. Our facilities are equipped with the most up-to-date technology available. Our knowledgeable support staff make care and concern for patients their first priority.

As one uses their hand and wrist in almost every move you make, our orthopedic physicians promise to administer the proper treatment for a quick recovery and improved quality of life. Treatment can include, but is not limited to, surgery, home therapy, hand therapy, or medical management. If surgery is needed, Beacon Orthopaedics, in partnership with TriHealth, has three state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery centers.

In addition to our ambulatory surgery centers, Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine also provides hand therapy. When appropriate, our expert physicians will prescribe hand therapy and recommend certified leading hand therapists to work with you.

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FOX19 Business Spotlight: Drs. Safi Faruqui & Benjamin Kleinhenz Discuss Beacon's Hand & Wrist Team

Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain

  • Fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Tendonitis
  • Nerve Injuries
  • Repetitive Work
  • Sports Injuries

Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Injuries

If you experience any of these symptoms of a hand, finger, or wrist injury, you should seek the care of one of the specialists at Beacon Orthopaedics:

  • Pain while making a fist or holding an object
  • Local swelling or bruising
  • Unable to move fingers or wrist
  • Coldness of hand, finger, or wrist
  • Clicking or shifting noises when moving hand, finger, or wrist
  • Pain ranging from forearm to fingers
  • Tingling or numbness in fingers1

Common Hand and Wrist Conditions Explained

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In most cases, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by swelling that puts pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. This condition causes pain and weakness (often worse at night), a feeling of swelling or fuzziness in the fingers, difficulty pinching, pain, and dropping objects. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated non-surgically with NSAIDs, steroid injections, and splinting, but surgery may be necessary to achieve relief for some patients.2

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger (or thumb) occurs when the lining of the flexor tendons responsible for bending the fingers becomes thicker, the tendons are enlarged, or the soft tissue that covers the tendon or lining becomes compressed. Trigger finger can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of motion, or abnormal movement or locking of the finger or thumb. Non-surgical treatment includes NSAIDs, steroid injections, splinting, and physical therapy, though surgery is needed in some cases.3

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by stretching of the ulnar nerve (the nerve in the “funny bone”). This can cause tingling or numbness in the last two fingers, forearm pain, and hand weakness. The first line of treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome is to avoid actions that lead to symptoms. Splinting can also help. Surgery is needed to alleviate nerve pressure in some cases.4

Basilar Thumb Arthritis

The joint at the base of the thumb is called the basal joint, and this joint can be subject to osteoarthritis, which is often a result of wear and tear. Basal thumb arthritis can cause pain when gripping or pinching, swelling, tenderness, aching, loss of strength, a joint that appears enlarged, a bump on the joint, and limited motion. Icing, anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing a brace can help alleviate thumb arthritis, though surgery is also an option for some patients.5

De Quervain’s Tendonitis

This condition is caused by constriction of the tendons around the base of the thumb. The source of pain in patients who have De Quervian’s tendonitis is at the side of the thumb and along the wrist. This is often most prominent when forming a fist, turning the wrist, or gripping an object. Non-surgical treatment includes splinting, NSAIDs, and steroid injections.6

Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a small mass or lump on the hand or wrist that is filled with fluid. These cysts are generally harmless, and often appear quickly, change in size, or disappear. Treatment is usually not necessary for ganglion cysts, though immobilization and draining the cyst through aspiration may be helpful. In rare cases, ganglion cysts can be surgically removed.7

Mallet Finger

Often referred to as “baseball finger,” mallet finger is an injury caused when the tip of a finger or thumb is struck by an unyielding object, forcing it to bend further than it should. This can be a painful injury and can prevent the tip of the finger or thumb from laying straight. Mallet finger is first treated with splinting, but surgical repair may be necessary if a finger fracture has also occurred. 8

Finger Fractures

Fractured fingers are a fairly common yet painful injury, and should be treated in order to preserve motion and alleviate pain. Resetting a broken finger bone and splinting or casting are often the only treatment necessary, though some patients may require surgery.9

Distal Radius Fractures

The medical term for a broken wrist is distal radius fracture. The radius is the larger of the two forearm bones, and fractures to this bone are often the result of a fall or blow to the wrist. Broken wrist bones must be reset, and a plaster cast is often applied to help the bone heal properly. If a bone is so misplaced that it can’t be reset, surgery may be needed. 10

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Hand and Wrist Injury Treatment

In most cases, non-surgical treatment of a hand, finger, or wrist injury is the first line of action. This may include:

  • Use of NSAIDs
  • Splinting
  • Cast
  • Steroid Injections

In some cases, a hand surgeon must operate to repair a damaged hand or wrist.

Ready to Experience the Beacon Difference?

If you have suffered a hand or wrist injury in the Cincinnati area, it is important that you seek the attention of a specialist who can help treat your pain and preserve functionality. The hand and wrist specialists at Beacon Orthopaedics are highly experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of these types of injuries. To schedule a consultation, please contact us today.

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Hand and Wrist Patient Education



1Institute for Athletic Medicine. Common Hand and Wrist Injuries. Available: https://instituteforathleticmedicine.com/specialties/hand-and-wrist/common-hand-and-wrist-injuries/. Accessed October 22, 2021.

2 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Available: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/carpal-tunnel-syndrome. Accessed October 22, 2021.

3 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Trigger Finger. Available: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/trigger-finger. Accessed October 22, 2021.

4 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome. Available: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/cubital-tunnel-syndrome. Accessed October 22, 2021.

5 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Thumb Arthritis. Available: https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/thumb-arthritis. Accessed October 22, 2021.

6 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. De Quervain’s Tendinosis. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/de-quervains-tendinosis/. Accessed October 22, 2021.

7 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist and Hand. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ganglion-cyst-of-the-wrist-and-hand/. Accessed October 22, 2021.

8 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger). Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/mallet-finger-baseball-finger/. Accessed October 22, 2021.

9 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Finger Fractures. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/finger-fractures/. Accessed October 22, 2021.

10 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Distal Radius Fractures (Broken Wrist) Overview. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/distal-radius-fractures-video/. Accessed October 22, 2021.