Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
Treatment for Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries in Cincinnati
Hand and wrist nerve injuries can cause pain, weakness, tingling, loss of function, and other symptoms that can make it difficult or uncomfortable to perform normal daily activities. At the Clifton Hand Surgery Center, in partnership with TriHealth, our hand and wrist specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating nerve injuries of the hand and wrist.
Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
Symptoms of a nerve injury to the hand or wrist may include:
- Weakness
- Numbness in one or more fingers, arm, or hand
- Tingling
- Difficulty using fingers
- Difficulty grasping objects or weakened grip
- Hand or fingers “falling asleep”
- Muscle wasting
Common Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common nerve injury, caused when the median nerve that travels to the hand becomes compressed. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand or arm and may also make it difficult to grip objects. This nerve injury can usually be treated non-surgically, though some patients may require surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve.1
Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
Ulnar tunnel syndrome is caused by a compressed nerve in the wrist. The ulnar nerve travels from the neck through the hand and is one of three nerves responsible for feeling and function in the hand, along with the median nerve and the radial nerve. Ulnar tunnel syndrome is most frequently caused by a benign soft tissue tumor called a ganglion cyst in the wrist joint. Ulnar tunnel syndrome may also be caused by repetitive trauma or chronic pressure on the ulnar nerve, potentially sustained during work or sports.2
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment/ Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Another injury that can impact the ulnar nerve is entrapment, usually occurring at the elbow. This injury, sometimes referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome, is a result of compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve in the arm. This can cause tingling and numbness, and is usually treatable with non-surgical methods. In some cases, surgery may be performed to reduce muscle damage or weakness. During this procedure, the surgeon cuts the top of the cubital tunnel to decrease pressure on the nerve.3
Causes of Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
Common causes of nerve injuries to the hand and wrist include:
- Overstretching a finger, the hand, or the wrist
- Severe lacerations
- Crush injuries
- Injury or trauma
- Illness
- Nutritional deficiency
Treatment for Nerve Injuries of the Hand and Wrist
Non-Surgical Treatment for Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
At Beacon Orthopaedics, our goal is to provide the least invasive treatment to effectively alleviate a patient’s symptoms. Non-surgical treatment for hand and wrist nerve injuries may include:
- Bracing or immobilization
- Changing the behavior that causes the injury
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Surgery for Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
If an injured nerve in the hand or wrist is causing pain or loss of function and is not improving with minimally invasive treatment, surgery may be necessary. The hand and wrist experts at Beacon Orthopaedics are highly experienced in operating on the intricate structures of the hand and wrist and can help patients restore feeling and function after a nerve injury.
Contact Beacon Orthopaedics in Cincinnati
If you are suffering from pain and other symptoms of a nerve injury to the hand or wrist, the specialists at Beacon Orthopaedics can help alleviate your symptoms and restore function to the area. To learn more about your treatment options, please contact us for a consultation.
1 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/. Accessed December 7, 2021.
2 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome of the Wrist. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ulnar-tunnel-syndrome-of-the-wrist/. Accessed December 7, 2021.
3 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome). Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ulnar-nerve-entrapment-at-the-elbow-cubital-tunnel-syndrome/. Accessed December 7, 2021.