Sports Medicine:
Hand & Wrist
Our Hands-On Approach Makes the Difference
Shooting a free throw, gripping a bat, or catching a pass — hand and wrist pain will stop you in your tracks. Orthopaedics East & Sports Medicine Center has performed thousands of examinations of the hand and wrist and provided treatment plans to achieve excellent outcomes for our patients in Eastern North Carolina.
A physician who listens is vital, because hand and wrist injuries can have a variety of causes. Some are due to repetitive use, while others are due to trauma. Our physicians and care teams have significant experience and expertise in non-surgical and surgical options to get you back on the field and to your peak performance.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve — one of the major nerves to the hand — is squeezed or compressed. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage in the wrist that protects the median nerve and flexor tendons. Compression results when the tunnel narrows or tissues surrounding the flexor tendons swell, often caused by repetitive motions like typing. This creates pressure or squeezes the median nerve, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in the hand or arm. This condition often gets worse over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical.
Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)
Mallet finger, also known as baseball finger, is an injury to the tendon that straightens the end joint of a finger or thumb. It occurs when the tip of a finger or thumb is bent further than intended, causing a rupture or avulsion of the tendon that straightens the finger. The fingertip will droop noticeably, and symptoms usually include pain, swelling, and noticeable bruising.
COMMON ISSUE
Sprains & Fractures
Hand and wrist sprains and fractures are common in athletes, particularly high-contact sports and those that require repetitive motion or overuse of a particular movement. Radial and ulnar sprains are the two most common types of wrist sprains. Common hand and wrist fractures include those to the growth plate, distal radial, and metacarpal bones. Treatments extend from rest and icing to bracing, physical therapy and, in extreme cases, surgery.
Schedule an appointment today with one of Eastern North Carolina’s leading orthopedic and sports medicine physicians!
