Hand & Wrist Pain Relief

Hand Injury Care Near You in New Jersey

The upper extremities, including the hands and wrists, are crucial for dexterity. When you have pain or injury in one of these areas, it can impact your everyday activities. Fortunately, treatment is available for hand and wrist pain at Kurdali Spine & Pain. Led by Dr. Basil Kurdali, we offer non-surgical relief for neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain, including the upper extremities, at locations near you in New Jersey. Learn more about upper extremity pain, what causes it, and the treatment options available.

Key Takeaways

What Is Upper Extremity Pain?

Upper extremity pain includes any pain in the arms and hands. The hands and wrists are vital for grasping, reaching, lifting, and performing other everyday activities. Pain in the hand or wrist can restrict the ability to perform these tasks, making daily responsibilities difficult.

These types of pain are described as follows:

Hand and wrist pain can also present in different ways, including nerve pain, tendon pain, and joint pain. Nerve pain is sharp and often radiates along a limb. It may also come with burning or tingling feelings. Tendon pain is sharp, localized, and causes tightness or weakness, while joint pain is a deep, aching pain that often coincides with swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

What Are Common Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Pain?

Pain in the upper extremities can differ depending on the part of the body that is injured or irritated. However, common symptoms of upper extremity pain include:

Upper extremity pain can be either acute or chronic. Acute pain is sudden, sharp, and short-term, while chronic pain is persistent and long-lasting.

What Are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Upper Extremity Pain?

Hand and wrist pain can be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from overuse to an injury to a medical condition. It’s important to narrow down the specific cause to determine the best treatment option. Common causes include:

Overuse

Since the upper extremities are used for many daily activities, they are often overused. Everyday activities like typing, writing, texting, or using hand tools can put repetitive stress on your hands and wrists. This can lead to the development of carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis, which inflames and irritates the nerves or tendons in the hands, causing pain.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which attaches a muscle to a bone. It is generally caused by overuse or an acute injury and leads to symptoms like pain, swelling, and tenderness. Tendonitis can occur in both the hand and the wrist:

Nerve Entrapment Conditions

Nerve entrapment, also called a pinched nerve, happens when surrounding tissues compress a peripheral nerve, limiting its movement and function. Nerve entrapment conditions are a common cause of upper extremity pain. They include:

Arthritis

Arthritis occurs when the cartilage surrounding joints starts to break down over time. Osteoarthritis is due to age-related wear and tear, while rheumatoid arthritis is caused by autoimmune inflammation. Both types can affect the hands and wrists, resulting in symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling, and a reduced range of motion.

Prior Injuries

Previous trauma or injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, or strains, can also cause pain in the hands and wrists. They can lead to bruising, swelling, tenderness, and a reduced range of motion.

When to Seek Care for Hand or Wrist Pain

When you’re dealing with hand or wrist pain, you may not be sure if it requires a doctor’s visit. Signals that it’s time to seek medical care include:

These are signs that you should schedule an appointment with your medical provider to get a diagnosis and treatment that relieves pain. However, if you notice signs like left arm pain, pain that radiates to the jaw or back, or pain that is accompanied by chest pain, you should seek immediate medical attention, as they could signal a heart attack.

How Is Hand or Wrist Pain Diagnosed?

To diagnose pain in the upper extremities, Dr. Kurdali will perform an examination, a series of tests, and imaging scans to confirm the root cause and rule out other possibilities. Dr. Kurdali will begin with a comprehensive exam, assessing the hand or wrist, along with its range of motion, dexterity, and any physical symptoms like swelling or bruising. He will also ask the patient about their symptoms, pain occurrences, and medical or family history. The diagnostic process also involves:

Nerve and tension tests: Tests, such as the Upper Limb Tension Test 1 (ULTT1), Tinel's sign test, Phalen’s test, and elbow flexion test, may be used to identify nerve entrapment conditions that affect the hands or wrists.
Imaging scans: Scans, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be used to identify structural damage.
Nerve studies: These studies typically combine a nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) to assess the electrical activity, speed, and strength of nerves and muscles. It is used to identify nerve damage or conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Using a combination of these tools helps Dr. Kurdali determine the correct diagnosis, often on the same day as your appointment.

Recovery: What to Expect

The recovery timeline for patients with upper extremity pain depends on a variety of factors, including the body part affected, the diagnosis, the type of treatment given, the patient’s overall health, and more. Dr. Kurdali will provide individualized guidance on recovery, as well as timelines on returning to work, sports, and other activities. He may also provide tips on preventing flare-ups, such as modifying activities, making ergonomic changes, and more.

What Are Treatment Options for Hand and Wrist Pain?

For patients with hand or wrist pain, treatment is available. At Kurdali Spine & Pain, we focus on non-surgical, non-invasive treatments for upper extremity pain. Options include:

Bracing: For patients with conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, bracing may be an effective treatment. It involves wearing a splint, cast, or brace for a period to support the joint, protect the bones, and limit movement that can exacerbate symptoms.
Activity modifications: When the diagnosis is tendonitis or an overuse injury, activity changes may be recommended. The patient may be asked to avoid repetitive tasks, change how they do the tasks, or take a rest from activities like sports that aggravate the condition.
Medications: Dr. Kurdali may suggest over-the-counter medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), to decrease swelling and relieve pain.
Physical/occupational therapy: Physical therapy uses targeted exercises to help strengthen muscles and improve the range of motion, while occupational therapy helps patients regain independence and complete daily tasks. Both options are often prescribed to help patients manage their upper extremity pain.
Injections: Injections of corticosteroid (cortisone) medication may be used to provide targeted relief from inflammation. They may be administered directly into inflamed joints, tendon sheaths, or ligaments. Cortisone injections are often used for patients with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendonitis.

Dr. Kurdali may recommend one or several of these treatment options to provide pain relief. Some options can even be provided on the same day as the patient’s appointment. When physical or occupational therapy is needed, we will try to get the patient a same-day appointment. Although Kurdali Spine & Pain tries to keep patients out of surgery, if it is necessary, Dr. Kurdali has a network of trusted specialists, including surgeons, to whom he can refer patients.

Get Non-Invasive Treatment for Hand and Wrist Pain Near You in New Jersey

Don’t let hand or wrist pain stop you from living your life—turn to Kurdali Spine & Pain for relief. Led by board-certified pain management specialist Dr. Basil Kurdali, we provide non-invasive, same-day treatment for upper extremity pain, as well as neck, back, nerve, muscle, and joint pain.

We work with patients to help them understand their insurance coverage, and we also offer telehealth visits for individuals who can’t make it to the office. When you don’t want to wait weeks or months for a diagnosis or treatment, Kurdali Spine & Pain is the place to go for same-day diagnoses and treatments. To learn more about our office or to schedule an appointment at one of our locations near you in New Jersey, contact us today.

FAQ About Hand and Wrist Pain

What symptoms suggest a nerve problem?

When hand or wrist pain is accompanied by symptoms like numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness, it may be a sign of a nerve problem.

What ergonomic changes help with hand/wrist pain at work?

When ergonomic changes at work are recommended for hand or wrist pain, they may include:

When are injections considered for upper extremity pain?

Injections are considered for upper extremity pain when other conservative treatment options, such as physical therapy, activity modifications, bracing, and medications, haven’t provided sufficient pain relief.