Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Pain

If you suffer from hand, wrist, and elbow pain that is ongoing or debilitating, see the experts at SOAR Spine and Orthopedics in Santa Clara and Redwood City, California. The highly trained general orthopedics and sports medicine providers pinpoint the cause of discomfort and treat musculoskeletal problems to improve healing and reduce pain in your upper extremities. Call the SOAR Spine and Orthopedics office today to schedule an evaluation or use the online booking feature.

What is hand, wrist, and elbow pain?

Hand, wrist, and elbow pain is discomfort brought on by disease, age-related wear, or an injury. It often affects your muscles, bones, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, or more than one of these. While some underlying causes of pain go away on their own, at other times, medical intervention is needed for proper healing and long-lasting relief.

What are the symptoms of hand, wrist, and elbow pain?

If you have hand, wrist, and elbow pain, it can appear as:

• Sharp pain
• Dull aching
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Warmth
• Decreased range of motion
• Limited mobility
• Burning
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Bruising

The discomfort you feel in your hand, wrist, or elbow can be mild, moderate, or severe. Depending on its cause, the pain could disappear, come and go, or gradually get worse.

What can cause hand, wrist, and elbow pain?

Many diseases and injuries can cause hand, wrist, and elbow pain. These include:

• Tendon, muscle, or ligament damage
• Fractures
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Age-related wear-and-tear
• Dislocations
• Trigger finger
• Golfer’s elbow
• Tennis elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Nerve damage

Determining the root cause of your pain is the best way to find the treatment needed to maximize healing and restore hand, wrist, and elbow function.

How does my provider diagnose hand, wrist, and elbow pain?

To determine what’s causing hand, wrist, and elbow pain, your SOAR Spine and Orthopedics provider asks questions about your lifestyle, medical history, medication, and symptoms. During a physical exam, they examine your upper extremities, especially the joints.

Your provider could recommend bloodwork, nerve testing, joint fluid tests, and/or an imaging procedure (X-rays, an ultrasound, an MRI). They can then tailor a treatment plan best suited to you.

How are hand, wrist, and elbow pain treated?

Depending on the cause of hand, wrist, or elbow pain, the SOAR Spine and Orthopedics team might suggest one or more of the following treatments:

• Rest
• Ice or heat packs
• Bracing or casting
• Physical therapy
• Injections
• Medication
• Regenerative medicine
• Manual adjustments
• Massage
• Acupuncture 
• Feldenkrais Method
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Individualized exercise training

In severe cases of a hand, wrist, or elbow injury, surgery will be the best way to fully restore musculoskeletal structure and function.

However, the SOAR Spine and Orthopedics team first recommends conservative treatments, often reducing the need for pain medicines and surgery.

Schedule an evaluation today at SOAR Spine and Orthopedics by phone or online to ease hand, wrist, and elbow pain.