Let our center help you return to comfortably using your hand every day.
Visiting Orange County Orthopedic Center provides you with access to the best hand surgeon in Orange County. At our center, we see patients for all types of orthopedic problems from head to toe. Some of the most common problems that we encounter are related to the hand and wrist. This is partially due to the fact that you use your hands for nearly every activity.
- Unfortunately, hand problems can be especially difficult to handle
- It’s hard to give your hands complete rest from everyday activity
Common Hand Problems
The most frequently seen hand problems include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis of the hand or thumb
- Hand fractures
- Fractures of the fingers or thumb
- Sprains of the finger or thumb
- Distal radius fractures
- Fingertip injuries
- “Baseball” finger
- Nerve injuries
- Wrist sprains
- Ganglion cysts
- Trigger finger
When should I contact a doctor for my hand issues?
If you are having any type of concern with your hand, it is a good idea to contact our office as soon as you are able. This is because there are plenty of orthopedic concerns that rely on early intervention in order to provide treatment that will prevent further damage or chronic pain.
You should also contact our office to see the best hand surgeon in Orange County if you notice any sudden changes to your hand, including numbness, discomfort, lack of mobility, strain, or weakness. After a consultation, we will be able to determine the cause of what you are experiencing.
If you injure your hand during sports or other physical activity, try applying ice for 20 minutes at a time to keep swelling down. For minor injuries, you won’t need to do anything more. However, it can be difficult to know the difference between a minor injury and something that is actually significant and can cause more pain later.
How are hand problems diagnosed?
Sometimes, a physical examination is all that is needed to diagnose hand problems. At our center, the best hand surgeon in Mission Viejo can ask you questions about when your pain started, what you think causes it, and if there are any certain activities that make it worse or better. The doctor might check your reflexes, strength, and range of motion to try and determine the cause of your pain and discomfort.
Imaging tests may be necessary to find out the severity or extent of your condition or injury, or to rule out other possibilities to reach a diagnosis if a simple examination doesn’t present the full picture. Imaging tests can include x-rays and MRIs.
The diagnosis and consultation stage is a very important part of your care, because it helps you to get one step closer to finding relief. Without a proper diagnosis, you are at risk of trying treatment methods that will not be effective in the long run. It’s important to cooperate with your hand doctor and mention any information that you think could be helpful for your diagnosis so that you can find relief more quickly. Working together, you and your orthopedic hand doctor can help you resume normal activities sooner.
Can I treat my orthopedic hand issues at home?
There are some orthopedic hand conditions that can be managed at home, or that have very effective at-home treatments that are meant to coordinate with and complement your treatment in the office.
Usually, the R.I.C.E. method is an effective approach to many orthopedic problems. This method consists of rest, ice therapy, compression, and elevation and can relieve a lot of pain and swelling. There are also stretches and simple exercises you might be able to perform at home that will restore flexibility, strength, and range of motion in your hand.
Our office’s best hand surgeon in Orange County might suggest a brace, splint, or other stabilization aid to help you find relief and complete your regular activities. This method can work well for things like carpal tunnel syndrome if you are unable to avoid doing activities like typing.
It is most important to be sure to follow all of the suggestions made by your hand surgeon for at-home treatment and care in our office. This will help you to experience as much relief as possible from your hand issue, whether it is a sports injury or an overuse condition.