One of the questions I hear frequently from patients is, “How do I know when I should have this checked out?”
We use our hands for nearly everything we do—from getting dressed and preparing a meal to working, exercising, and enjoying our favorite hobbies. Because our hands are so important to everyday life, even a seemingly minor problem can quickly become frustrating. Fortunately, not every ache or pain requires treatment, but there are certain symptoms that should prompt an evaluation.
One thing many people may not realize is that the field of hand surgery extends well beyond the hand itself. Hand and upper-extremity specialists treat conditions involving the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, and peripheral nerves. And despite the name “hand surgeon,” seeing a specialist certainly does not mean you need surgery. Many conditions can be successfully treated without an operation.
Persistent numbness or tingling is one reason to consider an evaluation. Occasional numbness after sleeping in an awkward position is common, but symptoms that repeatedly wake you at night, occur during activities such as driving, or are associated with weakness or dropping objects may indicate chronic compression of a nerve.
Pain that does not improve is another reason to seek care. Arthritis, tendonitis, ligament injuries, and fractures can all cause persistent pain. An evaluation can help identify the source and determine whether measures such as activity modification, splinting, therapy, medication, or an injection may help.
Loss of motion, weakness, or a change in function also deserves attention—particularly after an injury. Some tendon, ligament, nerve, and fracture-related injuries are easier to treat when recognized early.
Finally, not every hand problem is painful. Lumps or cysts, fingers that catch or lock, progressive deformity, and difficulty performing routine activities can also be reasons for evaluation.
Ultimately, my goal when seeing a patient is to help answer three questions: What is causing the problem? What can we do about it? And does it actually need treatment? Often, the answer does not involve surgery at all. Sometimes, understanding the problem and knowing your options is the most important first step.
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