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Orthopedic Group, Inc |
Hand Surgery: Rhode Island & Massachusetts
Hand surgeons treat a variety of orthopedic conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and upper extremities, including, but not limited to: carpal tunnel syndrome, wrist pain, and traumatic sports injuries to the hand and wrist. The Orthopedic Group is a full-service orthopedic clinic, employing two hand and upper extremity specialists who are both fellowship trained and experienced in treating patients with the utmost care to return them to previous levels of activity and functioning.
While hand and upper extremity specialists receive surgical training to repair conditions such as fractures and arthritis affecting the hands and wrists, not all musculoskeletal conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities must be treated using surgery. Surgery should only be considered when activity modification or other nonsurgical methods of treatment cannot alleviate musculoskeletal pain. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine if the patient's hand or upper extremity condition will require surgery, or whether less invasive methods of treatment will suffice and appropriately alleviate symptoms of pain and reduced flexibility. Conservative methods of treatment are always the preferred method for correcting musculoskeletal conditions. Activity modification, splints, and cortisone shots into the hand or wrist often alleviate pain and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, and many other hand and upper extremity ailments. Prior to beginning any kind of treatment outlined on this page, please take the time to have an orthopedic surgeon evaluate the condition. Learn more about OGI’s offices conveniently located in Pawtucket, Bristol, and Lincoln, Rhode Island, as well as in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Activity Modification for Carpal TunnelOne commonly utilized nonsurgical approaches to treat hand and upper extremity pain is activity modification. Oftentimes, patients put themselves at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome or pinched nerves by performing routine actions in an awkward manner. Activity modification can help relieve the joints in the hand and the wrist before problems with the tendons and joints arise. Awkward wrist or hand positioning, such as improperly bending the wrist, or pinching or gripping an object strongly, can put a patient at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. By identifying problematic hand and wrist posture, patients can effectively reduce pain and the likelihood of developing more advanced orthopedic problems.Additionally, activity modification can include taking brief respites from daily activities to reduce exhaustion and chronic overuse of the joints and tendons. Patients experiencing pain while performing repetitive actions involving the hands, such as typing, should take five minutes every hour to relieve potential strains and improve the blood flow in the hands. Splinting for Wrist TendonitisSplinting can often be a solution for treating tendonitis as well as sports injuries affecting the hands or upper extremities. Tendons, which connect muscle to bone, become inflamed due to overuse, affecting athletes and older patients who perform repetitive actions. Wrist tendonitis is a common injury. Because the tendons in the wrist receive a low amount of blood, they have difficulty healing on their own, and immobilization by splinting helps rest the tendons. By resting the tendon, inflammation and pain should decrease gradually.Cortisone Injections for Hand and Upper Extremity PainCortisone injections into an inflamed joint can help reduce the swelling and the associated pain. Cortisone shots are often used to treat a number of upper extremity conditions, including trigger finger, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even arthritis. Cortisone injections typically take effect within a few days; however, permanent relief is not always guaranteed and, in cases where it only offers temporary help and depending on the condition and its severity, the amount of time benefits last varies between a few days to a few weeks.Orthopedic Excellence in Rhode Island & MassachusettsThe Orthopedic Group is one of the few full-service orthopedic clinics serving patients in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts regions, treating a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions affecting the spine, shoulder, hip joint, knee joint, hands, and upper extremities. Find out more about our four convenient office locations, our team of orthopedic surgeons, and highly trained physical therapists who will work to get you back to an active lifestyle. |
Pawtucket Office • 588 Pawtucket Ave. • Pawtucket, Rhode Island 02860 • Toll Free: (800) 725-3037 • Tel: (401) 722-2400
Lincoln Office • 6 Blackstone Valley • Place Building 5, Suite 530 • Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865 • Tel: (401) 334-3700
Attleboro, MA Office • 16 Hillside Ave. • Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 • Tel: (508) 222-4450
Bristol Office • 1180 Hope Street • Bristol, Rhode Island 02809 • Tel: (401) 722-2400