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Wrist

Hand specialist measuring a patient’s grip strength with a dynamometer during a wrist evaluation in a medical office.

The wrist contains eight small bones and the carpal tunnel, which houses many tendons and nerves. The wrists are susceptible to overuse or repetitive injuries, such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, as a result of certain motions during sports, job duties, and everyday activities.

  • Wrist Conditions Impact Quality of Life. A number of common wrist conditions, like arthritis and carpal tunnel, can cause intense pain and reduce range of motion.
  • Our Orthopedic Hand Surgeons Offer Specialized Care. Our physicians are leaders in the field, namely Dr. Higgins, who pioneered MFT surgery for advanced Kienbock’s disease.
  • Cutting-Edge Care Can Alleviate Your Pain. Our hand surgeons are skilled in various state-of-the-art surgical techniques, including endoscopic release for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Whether you are suffering from a chronic condition or need timely care for an acute injury, you can count on our compassionate team of board-certified, fellowship-trained surgeons.

Meet Our Hand Surgeons 

Common Wrist Conditions Treated

At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, we treat a wide range of painful wrist conditions. The most common wrist conditions we treat are:

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow passageway in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. This usually results from swelling or repetitive motions and leads to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the fingers, pain that can radiate up the arm, weakness in the hand, and difficulty with fine motor tasks.

Doctors typically diagnose carpal tunnel with a physical examination, nerve conduction studies, and sometimes imaging tests like MRI. Treatment options range from nonsurgical methods such as wrist splinting and corticosteroid injections to surgical intervention with carpal tunnel release surgery for more severe cases. At Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, we are proud to house some of the best carpal tunnel surgeons in Maryland.

Wrist fractures are breaks in one or more of the bones forming the wrist joint, most often involving the radius near the base of the thumb. Characterized by immediate, severe pain and swelling, these injuries are commonly caused by:

  • People using their hands to break a fall
  • Sports injuries
  • Car accidents
  • Direct trauma

To diagnose a wrist fracture, specialists may use imaging tests such as X-rays to assess the type and severity of the break. The method of treating a fractured wrist varies depending on the fracture’s complexity. Many stable fractures can be managed with casting or splinting, while more serious or displaced breaks may require realignment and surgical procedures using pins, plates, or screws.

Our skilled upper extremity specialists also offer treatment for a wide range of other wrist conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Bite injuries
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal instability
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RDS)
  • DeQuervain's tendonitis
  • Infections
  • Radial tunnel syndrome
  • Scaphoid fracture
  • Sports injuries
  • Tendonitis
  • Tenosynovitis
  • Wrist sprain / triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury
  • Work-related injuries

 

wrist specialist examining injury on a patient's wrist

Kienbock’s Disease & MFT Surgery

Dr. James Higgins is an internationally recognized authority on the diagnosis and treatment of avascular necrosis of the lunate, more commonly known as Kienbock's disease. Dr. Higgins holds more than 150 in-person and telemedicine consultations each year with patients seeking treatment for Kienbock's disease.

He is experienced in a variety of procedures for various stages of this disease, including:

  • Radial shortening osteotomies
  • Capitate shortening osteotomies
  • Wrist denervation
  • Proximal row carpectomy

In addition, he has pioneered another groundbreaking surgical technique for this problem. In the early stage of Kienbock’s, Dr. Higgins offers a novel distraction internal plating procedure. In more advanced cases, he has developed a procedure known as medial femoral trochlea (MFT) free flap reconstruction.

Our practice has created pathways for patients who travel from around the globe to receive these treatments with time-efficient imaging, surgery, and postoperative care, followed by organized telemedicine follow-up and regional therapy and imaging to make this available for all patients.

FAQs

Common symptoms include:

  • Chronic wrist pain
  • Stiffness in the wrist
  • Weakness in the hand and wrist

Those with Kienbock’s disease may also notice swelling or a reduced range of motion in their wrist. These symptoms often worsen with activity and can significantly impact daily tasks and routines.

Patients typically consider MFT surgery when they are in the advanced stages of Kienbock’s disease and conservative treatments are no longer providing relief.

Dr. Higgins and our team always prioritize non-surgical interventions first, such as splinting, anti-inflammatory medication, or physical therapy. Surgery often only becomes an option when these methods fail to alleviate severe pain or restore function.

During MFT surgery, Dr. Higgins removes the diseased portion of the lunate and rebuilds the bone using a similarly shaped segment of bone and cartilage from the knee, restoring alignment, shape, and function of the wrist.

Also known as osteochondral reconstruction, this procedure is the most advanced treatment available for advanced Kienbock’s disease, often affecting very young patients.

After MFT surgery, patients often experience some initial discomfort and require a period of immobilization. Most patients are able to return to normal daily routines, including light activities, within 3 to 6 months. The length of your full recovery will ultimately depend on your adherence to therapies and your body's natural ability to heal.

Our practice ensures a seamless recovery process, offering thorough post-operative care, including telemedicine follow-ups and referrals to trusted physical therapy clinics.

MFT surgery is a specialized treatment for the advanced stages of Kienbock’s disease, designed for those experiencing significant pain and functional limitations. If you are struggling with persistent wrist pain and traditional treatments haven't helped, you may be a candidate.

The best way to determine if you are a candidate for MFT surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Higgins. He will be happy to sit down with you, listen to your concerns, and accurately evaluate your condition.

Treatments for Wrist Conditions

Our range of advanced wrist surgeries and nonsurgical treatments includes:

  • Arthritis surgery
  • Carpal tunnel release surgery (open and endoscopic)
  • Dry wrist arthroscopy
  • Excision of masses
  • Fracture surgery
  • Infection surgery
  • Injections and medication
  • Wrist joint replacement

Best Orthopedic Doctors for Wrist Pain in Maryland

If you are suffering from wrist pain, come see the dedicated hand and upper extremity specialists at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder. To schedule an appointment, fill out our secure online appointment request for. You may also call our office today at (410) 296-6232, and one of our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you.