When it comes to hand and wrist problems, the Washington University orthopedic specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are available to provide a comprehensive evaluation and customized treatment plan. The team of physicians, therapists and nurses has experience and expertise in a wide range of conditions, including:
- Nerve entrapment syndromes: carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and radial tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Fractures and dislocations of wrist, hand, distal radius and distal ulna
- Ganglion cysts and tumors of the hand and wrist
- Hand problems resulting from stroke, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury
- Infections
- Arthritis of the thumb, hand or wrist
- Osteoarthritis
- Deformities caused by rheumatoid arthritis
- Sports-related injuries of the hand, wrist and forearm
- Trigger finger/Blackberry thumb
- Tendonitis of hand, wrist or elbow
- Tendon, nerve and blood vessel injuries
- Vascular disease or circulatory disturbances in the hand
- Work-related injuries and conditions
The team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons employs state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques when available to ensure superior outcomes and faster recovery times. Common procedures performed by Washington University orthopedic specialists include:
- Arthroscopic surgery of the wrist and hand
- Carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel release
- Tennis elbow surgery
- Trigger finger release surgery
- Ganglion cyst removal
- Excision of benign hand tumors
- De Quervain’s tendonitis surgery
- Dupuytren’s contracture release
- Thumb arthritis surgery
- Fracture fixation of the hand and wrist
- Repair of tendon, nerve and vessel injuries
- Rheumatoid hand repair – joint arthroplasty
- Replantation microsurgery
Physicians who specialize in microsurgery as well as reconstructive surgery of the hand and wrist — including brachial plexus surgery — are adept at reconstructions of both congenital and acquired hand deformities, including radial club hand and thumb deficiencies.
Replantation surgery and total joint replacement of the wrist and hand usually require a short stay in the hospital. Rehabilitation services are readily available for both inpatient and outpatient settings and focus on rapidly returning a patient to maximum mobility and function.
Specialized Services for Hand and Wrist Problems
The hand therapy center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital excels in providing hand rehabilitation services for orthopedic patients. Specialists will work to restore and improve overall hand mobility and function. The hand therapy center also is recognized for fabricating splints and adaptive devices to provide patient comfort and enhance healing.
Workers’ compensation injuries are treated by a team of Washington University orthopedic hand surgeons who are focused on providing complete care to the injured worker, including immediate assessment and treatment of traumatic injuries, such as fractures and amputations. The expertise of the surgeons also allows them to care for challenging reconstructions in severely injured patients. Early therapy and an early return to work are priorities for the workers’ compensation injury orthopedic team.