Hand Injuries
Hand injuries can disrupt everything—typing, driving, gripping, even sleep. Dr. John B. Fuller provides comprehensive hand and wrist care with a conservative-first mindset and advanced surgical options when necessary, focused on restoring comfort, strength, and fine motor control.
What are hand injuries?
Hand injuries can involve bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels in the fingers, hand, or wrist. Many injuries improve with rest and activity modification, but persistent pain, swelling, weakness, numbness, or stiffness deserves an expert evaluation to reduce complications and preserve function.
Early evaluation helps ensure the correct diagnosis and prevents small problems from turning into long-term stiffness, weakness, or nerve irritation—especially for injuries affecting grip, pinch, or finger motion.
Hand injuries and conditions we treat
Dr. Fuller treats both acute injuries and chronic, repetitive-use conditions. Care is tailored to your diagnosis, goals, and timeline.
Fractures (broken bones)
From stable fractures to complex injuries requiring reduction or fixation.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness/tingling and hand weakness from median nerve compression.
Ganglion cysts
Fluid-filled cysts that can cause pressure, pain, or limited motion.
Trigger finger / trigger thumb
Catching, locking, or painful finger motion from tendon irritation.
Arthritis
Joint wear-and-tear or inflammatory changes causing stiffness and pain.
Tendinitis & repetitive strain
Overuse conditions from tools, typing, lifting, or repetitive wrist positions.
How hand injuries are diagnosed
History & symptom mapping
When symptoms started, what triggers them, and how function is affected.
Focused hand & wrist exam
Swelling, bruising, tenderness, range of motion, grip, and fine motor testing.
Imaging when needed
X-rays or ultrasound to evaluate bones, joints, tendons, and soft tissue structures.
Hand injury treatments offered
The goal is to relieve pain, prevent further damage, and restore mobility. Some conditions require a combination of treatments, and your plan is tailored to the severity and the structures involved.
Protect & calm inflammation
- Casting or splinting
- Ice, rest, and activity changes
- Over-the-counter pain medication guidance
- Physical therapy / hand therapy
- Corticosteroid injections when appropriate
Restore structure & function
- Wrist arthroscopy
- Joint fusion surgery
- Reconstructive hand and wrist surgery
- Tendon transfer / nerve transfer
- Vascular repair and soft tissue coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Hand injuries may affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels in the fingers, hand, or wrist. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, weakness, or numbness.
Common injuries and conditions include fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, trigger finger/thumb, arthritis, and tendinitis. Some problems arise from repetitive strain or tool use.
Diagnosis begins with symptom history and a focused exam of the hand, fingers, and wrist. Dr. Fuller checks for swelling, bruising, and tenderness; evaluates motion and strength; and may use imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound when needed.
Treatment may include splinting/casting, rest and ice, therapy, activity changes, and injections when appropriate. If conservative care isn’t enough, advanced surgical options may be considered to restore structure and function.
Many hand conditions improve with conservative care. If you’re interested in alternatives, Dr. Fuller can discuss pros and cons and help you choose a plan aligned with your goals and the best evidence available.
Clinical references
- ASSH (American Society for Surgery of the Hand): Hand anatomy basics (bones/joints). View source
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Fractures (Broken Bones) overview. View source
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Trigger finger. View source
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Carpal tunnel syndrome. View source
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Diagnosis and treatment vary by patient.