Hand & Upper Extremities

You may take your hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders for granted daily. We use them constantly throughout the day but rarely think about them. 

When something goes wrong in the upper extremities, causing pain, stiffness or other symptoms, you want a quick diagnosis and return to your normal life. At Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Orthopedic Surgery, we have surgeons specialized in hand and upper extremity surgery, offering patients in our region excellent outcomes and advanced treatment options.  

What conditions affect the hands & upper extremities?

Just as the upper extremities have many different components, they can also be affected by many different conditions. The hands, wrists, and other parts of the upper extremities can be damaged by acute and chronic injuries and chronic health issues. 

These conditions include: 

  • Arthritis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Finger injuries, including fractures
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Mallet finger
  • Overuse injuries
  • Pitching injuries
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Tennis elbow
  • Trigger finger
  • Upper extremity fractures or sprains
  • Wrist fractures or sprains

Joint, tendon, or nerve pain can affect the hands and upper extremities in addition to these specific conditions. 

How are conditions of the hands & upper extremities diagnosed?

When you connect with our team, we’ll work to quickly assess your condition and make a diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis starts with a thorough physical exam, paying close attention to the affected body part and how it is impaired. Other tools used to make a diagnosis may include: 

  • Blood tests
  • Electromyography to measure electrical activity in muscles
  • Imaging scans, such as CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound or MRI
  • Nerve conduction studies to measure activity in the nerves

Once we’ve confirmed a diagnosis, your care team will work with you to determine how to most effectively treat the condition. We will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and overall health. 

How are hand & upper extremity conditions treated?

Our team of specialists is trained to provide a full spectrum of care, including both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. Treatment for an upper extremity condition may include: 

Medications
Many conditions affecting the upper extremities, including arthritis and general joint pain, are first treated with medications to alleviate inflammation and the symptoms it can cause. This can include over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, along with prescription medications. Injected medications, such as corticosteroids, may be used to provide relief by targeting medication directly to the affected joint, tendon or muscle. 

Physical Therapy
Improving strength and flexibility in the upper extremities can help reduce pain and other symptoms. Physical therapy sessions include exercises designed to strengthen the hands, arms, wrists or shoulders and improve their mobility.  

Splinting or Bracing
Certain conditions affecting the upper extremities, including fractures and sprains, benefit from a period of immobilization, where the bone or joint can’t move freely. Braces and splints can be used to accomplish this, providing support and protection to the affected body part. Splints also work to maintain a corrected position in the case of a fracture, allowing the bone to heal properly.  

Surgery
While many conditions affecting the upper extremities can be treated using nonsurgical techniques, some require surgery. When an injury or medical condition causes severe pain, a loss of function, structural damage, or impaired quality of life, surgery may be recommended. 

The specific surgical procedure will vary depending on the medical condition being treated. Some of the surgical procedures we offer include: 

Choose NGPG to treat hand & upper extremity issues

If you’re experiencing pain and other symptoms affecting your hand or another part of the upper extremities, you can find the advanced care you need at NGPG Orthopedic Surgery. Our team of board-certified orthopedic specialists has years of experience diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the hands, wrists, shoulders and arms. With easy online scheduling and our Orthopedic Walk-In Clinics, we can ensure you’re seen by an orthopedic specialist quickly.