The radial nerve runs the length of the arm, powering the muscles that straighten the wrist and fingers and carrying sensation to the back of the hand. When it's compressed or trapped — radial nerve entrapment — it can cause anything from weakness and "wrist drop" to nagging outer forearm pain. So where does [...]
Scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal (STT) joint arthritis affects the tiny joint at the base of the wrist, just below the thumb. It's less common than other wrist conditions, but it can significantly affect hand and wrist function, particularly gripping and pinching. This article explains the presentation, investigation, and treatment options for STT joint arthritis. What is the [...]
The wrist and hand are a collection of small bones and ligaments, each able to be damaged and cause pain. Wrist and hand pain has many possible causes — arthritis, tendonitis, and fractures among them. One way to approach it is to define the location of the pain, which gives clues to the cause. [...]
The hamate is one of the eight carpal bones of the wrist. Like any bone, the carpal bones can fracture from a fall or acute trauma. But the hamate is unusual — it has a triangular body and a bony projection called the hook, and that hook is particularly prone to fracture. So what [...]
A Stener lesion is a specific and surgically important injury to the thumb. It occurs when the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears completely and is then displaced by overlying tissue, preventing the ligament from reattaching to bone. Without surgical repair, a Stener lesion will not heal — making early and accurate diagnosis essential. Understanding [...]
Numbness and pins and needles are common symptoms affecting the hands and fingers, particularly at night. Generally, these symptoms suggest nerve compression in some area. Sometimes, however, the cause can be different and potentially severe. For example, heart attacks and multiple sclerosis can also cause hand numbness. So, what causes pain and numbness in [...]
Climbing continues to grow in popularity, testing flexibility, strength, control, and problem-solving. But like any demanding sport, it brings injuries — and the fingers take the brunt. These finger injuries are often called a finger pulley injury, or rock climber's finger. So what is climber's finger, and what other injuries affect climbers? Finger pulleys: [...]
Arthritis in the wrist is a common cause of wrist pain as we age. The cartilage in the radiocarpal joint wears away — wrist osteoarthritis — leading to bone rubbing on bone. So what are the symptoms of wrist arthritis, and what should you do about it? What causes arthritis in the wrist? [...]
Thumb arthritis is the most common arthritis of the hand and wrist, affecting the joint at the base of the thumb — the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. Many people ask about a cortisone injection in the thumb joint. So what is thumb arthritis, when should you have a CMC joint injection, and does a steroid [...]
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common wrist condition in the general population that we treat well with an ultrasound carpal tunnel injection. So, do you need it and who benefits from steroid injection for carpal tunnel? What makes up the carpal tunnel? The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway on the palmar side of [...]
