You May Need to Visit a Hand Surgeon for More Than Just Pain

By Anna Woodward

Many people make the mistake of assuming that a hand surgeon only deals with issues involving the hands. This is not the case at all. They also handle issues with the wrists and forearms. If you have had an injury with any of these parts of your body, your general practitioner may send you to them to determine if surgery is necessary to remedy the situation.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common condition that is caused when someone's median nerve, that is located at the wrist, is put under increased pressure. This is a pinched nerve that can cause numbness, pain in the arm, or even tingling. The surgery to fix this condition does not take long and can help improve the overall quality of life for the sufferer.

Stenosing tenosynovitis is commonly referred to as "trigger finger." Trigger finger occurs when the pulley located at the bottom of a finger becomes overly thick and constricted around the tendon. There are times where the finger can become locked in place, which can be somewhat painful. Non-surgical forms of treatment are available for trigger finger. Often, a steroid injection can help reduce the swelling enough to eliminate the sticking.

Sports injuries where bones are broken, tendons are tore, or ligaments are damaged can require assistance from a hand surgeon. He or she will be able to examine the patient and determine the severity of the injury. They will then be able to provide the patient with a treatment plan to determine if an operation is needed or if non-surgical treatment would best suit the situation.

It is important to realize that an appointment with this type of doctor often requires a referral from your general practitioner in order to be covered by insurance. It is important to contact your insurance provider and ask if the specific doctor is covered under your policy and what steps you would need to take in order to have a potential surgery covered. There are often out-of-pocket expenses that you will need to pay on your own, including the copay, however they will be far less than the actual cost of the operation.

It is important to meet with the hand surgeon sooner rather than later. The longer you go without the injury being untreated, the more severe the damage could become. You do not need to be in pain for a long period of time if you act quickly and get the ball rolling as soon as you possibly can. Many doctors are booked for weeks in advance, so you need to make our appointment as soon as you possibly can, if you want to be seen in a relatively short period of time.

If you are having these symptoms, it might be time to consult a hand surgeon syracuse. This link will give you the information you need:http://www.upstateorthopedics.com.

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