subject: When To Call A Hand Surgeon For Wrist Pain [print this page] A hand surgeon is a professional specializing in care for this area of the body. One of the key times to call on this professional is when there is pain located in the wrist. This can occur to both arms at one time or just one. The doctor's job is to find out what is causing the pain and then to offer solutions for it. Numerous conditions can lead to this, but it is not possible to know which you are suffering from until your doctor provides more information. Sometimes, a family care doctor will refer you to a specialist that will be able to do the work necessary.
Examinations First
The first thing the hand surgeon will do is to examine the area. He or she will want to run some tests, including getting x-rays and scans of the actual elements in the wrist. Because there is such a large network of veins, bones, and muscle structures here, it can be hard to pinpoint the problem without this type of invasive treatment. Sometimes, the type and amount of pain you have can help to tell the doctor what may be happening.
What Could It Be?
Many things can happen to the wrist. For example, a fracture is one of the most common. Most commonly, it occurs when a person falls and lands on the open hand. This can cause immediate pain and often bruising, swelling and deformity if it is not treated properly. In some cases, it just needs to be set without any required surgeries. In other cases, it may be necessary to fix the condition through surgical means.
Other common conditions in which this type of specialist is necessary include sprains, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Sprains occur when there is injury to the ligaments in the wrist. This can also cause swelling and bruising. Most people find it impossible to move the wrist properly. Tendonitis occurs when there is inflammation that develops in the membrane that surrounds the tendons of the wrist. Restricted movement and a burning sensation are key symptoms here. With carpal tunnel syndrome, the condition can develop over a period of time. Generally, a nerve becomes compressed in the wrist. This can cause numbness, weakness and, in some people, significant pain in the hand.
Do you have any of these symptoms? If so, it may be time to call in a hand surgeon for help and guidance. Even if you do not need surgery to fix the problem, you can benefit from this professional's skills and training in this specific area. Most people find that this type of treatment is a great way to avoid bigger problems down the road, too.
