Hand & Wrist

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that arises from pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve, which runs in a groove on the inner side of the elbow. This nerve controls sensations in your ring and little fingers and manages several muscles in your hand. Think of the ulnar nerve as an electrical cable passing through a tight space, the cubital tunnel. When this tunnel becomes constricted or the nerve is stretched, it can lead to numbness, tingling, and pain in the forearm and the ring and little fingers, commonly known as “falling asleep.”

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. If you have it, you’re likely to feel pain when you turn your wrist, grasp anything, or make a fist. The condition is named after Swiss surgeon Fritz de Quervain, who first identified it in 1895. It occurs when the two tendons around the base of your thumb become swollen and cause pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, particularly when forming a fist, grasping or gripping something, or turning the wrist.

Dupuytren’s disease, also known as Dupuytren’s Contracture, is a hand condition that gradually causes the fingers to curl inward toward the palm, restricting their movement. This condition occurs due to the thickening and tightening of the fascia, a layer of fibrous tissue beneath the skin of the palm and fingers. While the exact cause of Dupuytren’s is unknown, factors like genetics, age, and ancestry (it’s more common in people of Northern European descent) play a role.

Radial Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes pain in the forearm due to pressure on the radial nerve, one of the major nerves in the arm. This nerve runs down the underside of the arm, passes through a narrow pathway called the radial tunnel near the elbow, and continues into the hand. When the radial nerve is compressed or pinched within this tunnel, it can lead to symptoms that can affect the arm and hand.

Trigger Finger, or Stenosing Tenosynovitis, is a condition where a finger gets stuck in a bent position and then snaps straight, much like pulling and releasing a trigger. It occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon in the affected finger.

The exact cause of Trigger Finger is not always clear, but it’s known to be associated with repetitive gripping actions which can irritate the tendon sheath, leading to inflammation. Risk factors include certain health conditions such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as occupations or hobbies that require prolonged gripping or repetitive hand use.

A Distal Radius Fracture, commonly known as a broken wrist, involves a break near the wrist end of the long bone in the forearm known as the radius. This type of fracture is one of the most common bone injuries and frequently occurs from falls onto an outstretched hand.

The primary cause is trauma, such as a fall, sports injury, or car accident. Risk factors include osteoporosis, which weakens bones making them more susceptible to fractures, and engaging in activities like skating or cycling, where falls are common.

A Ganglion Cyst is a non-cancerous lump that commonly develops along the joints or tendons of the wrists or hands, though they can also appear on ankles and feet. These cysts are filled with a jelly-like fluid and can vary in size, sometimes becoming more prominent with repetitive joint movement.

The exact cause of ganglion cysts is unknown, but they are thought to arise from a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out. Factors that may increase the risk of developing a ganglion cyst include joint or tendon injury, and certain occupations or activities that involve repetitive wrist motions.