Hand And Wrist Orthopedic Surgeon, Seattle

Our hands and wrists play a critical role in our personal and professional lives. They allow us to exercise, drive, and carry out a huge number of physical activities. There are close to 40 bones and dozens of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that allow us to move our hands and wrists properly. But, these intricate parts can also get damaged, which can produce short and long-term mobility problems.

By finding an orthopedic wrist and hand specialist, you can address any injuries, conditions, or traumatic events that affect this part of your body. At Orthopedic Physician Associates, our team of seasoned specialists can help identify the issue and design a custom plan to restore mobility and reduce pain as quickly as possible. 

If you need to find a hand and wrist doctor in Seattle, get in touch with us and book an appointment today.

Common Conditions that Affect Hands and Wrists

Human hands and wrists consist of a complex mechanism that allows us to conduct a variety of activities. Although the thumb is regarded as one of the most important parts, there are many elements that affect the functionality of your hand. Likewise, your wrist muscles and tendons stretch into the forearm, so issues in these areas can also impact the functionality of this joint. 

There are many reasons you may need Seattle hand surgery, some of which may spur from genetic factors, while others come from traumatic injuries. With this in mind, the most common conditions that affect hands and wrists include:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

People that suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome can experience pain, tingling, and a numbing sensation in the hands and arms. This happens when the median nerve, one of the biggest in the hand, is compressed somewhere along the link to the wrist. There are different surgical and non-surgical treatments you can opt for, so consult with a Seattle orthopedic hand and wrist specialist to find the best alternative.

Cysts and Other Tumors

Ganglion cysts and other types of tumors can compromise your hands’ mobility and give them an unpleasant appearance. They can occur in different places, but these cysts usually appear on the back of the hand and vary in size as well as shape. And, besides limiting mobility, tumors can also cause intense pain and discomfort, but they can be treated effectively by visiting a specialist.

Hand & Wrist Arthritis

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and our wrists and hands aren’t exceptions. This condition causes loss of cartilage in the affected joints, so the bones end up rubbing against each other. This causes inflammation, weakness, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, and grinding sounds in severe cases.

Hand & Wrist Fractures

The hand and wrist mechanisms contain bones of different sizes, all of which may suffer fractures. Whether it’s a stress fracture or a broken bone due to sudden trauma, these are often painful and can cause long-term problems if left unattended. The best way to improve your odds of success is to work with an orthopedic doctor that specializes in hand and wrist injuries.

Joint Dislocation

Joint dislocations in the hand and wrist usually occur when the joints are forcefully bent backward. This can result in intense pain and requires immediate medical attention, especially if your hand is visibly misshapen. In addition to relocating your bone to its original position, your Seattle orthopedic specialist will also run tests to assess the condition of your hand and conduct surgery if necessary.

Ligament Injuries

Ligaments play a vital role in our hands and wrists because they stabilize our joints, but these connective fibers can also suffer damage from repetitive or sudden trauma. Furthermore, ligament issues can lead to the early development of arthritis and other conditions, so addressing these problems quickly is imperative for a positive outcome.

Nail-Bed Injuries

Nail bed injuries can be extremely painful. These injuries often occur due to severe traumas that also cause broken bones, severed fingertips, damaged nerve endings, and wounded connective tissue. 

As a result, you may experience a throbbing sensation, bleeding, and the accumulation of blood under the nail. After assessing your condition and identifying potential additional damage, your orthopedic surgeon can find the best approach that allows you to return to your daily activities as fast as possible.

Tendon Injuries and Tendinitis

Like ligaments, the tendons that run from the elbow to the hand control certain movements and improve our range of mobility. When damaged or overused, this soft connective tissue can become inflamed and cause intense pain. This condition is called tendonitis and it can produce temporary discomfort that usually results in lower activity levels.

Trigger Finger

Stenosing tenosynovitis, commonly referred to as trigger finger, is a condition that causes stiffness, pain, and a locking sensation when you bend your fingers. The thumb and ring finger are the two most commonly affected, but this condition can affect different parts of your hand. People who show trigger finger symptoms have a variety of options, so they should contact a hand and wrist doctor in Seattle to find the best alternative.

Benefits of Working with a Seattle Hand and Wrist Specialist 

As with most health issues, wrist and hand conditions can get worse over time if left untreated. Not only this, but injures that are not treated properly can produce additional complications and chronic problems that are worse than the original trauma.

For this reason, finding a reliable hand specialist in Seattle is more important than ever before. Orthopedic physicians are specifically trained to take care of bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint issues. These specialists can run a variety of tests using innovative equipment in order to find the best approach for your particular case.

Some of the benefits of working with an orthopedic specialist include: 

Proper Diagnosis

Before taking any actions, it’s critical to accurately diagnose the injury or condition in order to find the best solution. In addition to extensive training, our orthopedic specialists have innovative diagnostic equipment at their disposal that allows them to quickly examine your hands and wrists. To learn more about our diagnostic services, contact our team today. 

Personalized Approach

We understand that all cases are different, so we strive to provide personalized orthopedic services for each individual patient. From diagnostics to surgery and post-op instructions, we keep our patient’s needs in mind at all times in order to provide a great experience.

Higher Chances of a Positive Outcome

Orthopedic doctors are the only physicians that specialize in treating damage to the bones, connective tissue, and joints. While a general practitioner may be able to stabilize patients and provide a level of medical treatment, our orthopedic hand and wrist specialists can ensure that you regain as much mobility as possible. Additionally, you may also be able to reduce downtime and explore innovative orthopedic treatments that only specialists have access to.

How to Choose the Best Orthopedic Specialist for Hands and Wrists in Seattle

Before searching for “hand and wrist doctor near me,” you should take the time to learn how to identify the best orthopedic specialist in Seattle. If you invest time into finding the right orthopedic provider, you’ll improve your chances of success and return to your regular routine as soon as possible.

In order to choose the best hand and wrist doctor, remember to:

Check the Physician’s Specialties

There are many different branches of medicine, so you need to ensure that the physician you choose specializes in orthopedic care. You can go the extra mile and try to find a clinic or doctor that has mastered wrist and hand surgery. At OPA, we have a team of seasoned orthopedic doctors that focus on hand and wrist care, so get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to help.

Experience and Reputation

In most cases, your specialist’s experience will directly correlate to the quality of his or her work. Always check the clinic’s or doctor’s reputation to ensure you’re working with a reliable orthopedic healthcare provider that has a proven track record.

Approaches and Equipment Used

The technology that drives orthopedic healthcare advances at a fast pace, so there are new approaches and devices developed every week. Orthopedic doctors that are up-to-date with the newest approaches will be able to give you a list of options to choose from. 

What’s more, having access to advanced diagnostics and therapeutic equipment can also improve the efficacy of the treatment and provide faster results.

Find a Reliable Orthopedic Specialist in Seattle

Despite the fact that they are painful and limiting, wrist and hand injuries can often be treated by an orthopedic specialist. That said, you need to take your time and find a reliable hand and wrist doctor that helps you make a fast recovery without compromising your health in any other way.

If you are looking for a reliable orthopedic specialist in Seattle, contact OPA to book an appointment today.

Other Specialties:

Elbows
Hand & Wrist
Foot & Ankle
Hips
Knees
Shoulders
Spine
Arthritis

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