Our hands are among the most complex and essential parts of the body — with bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels all working together to enable everything from typing and cooking to lifting and writing. When something goes wrong — whether from injury, overuse, arthritis, or nerve compression — even simple daily tasks can become painful or difficult. That’s when you might benefit from consulting a hand surgeon.
What Does a Hand Surgeon Do?
A hand surgeon — also known as a hand and wrist specialist — is an orthopedic (or plastic/reconstructive) surgeon who has received advanced training focusing exclusively on conditions affecting the hand, wrist, forearm, and sometimes elbow. This specialization gives them deeper understanding and experience with delicate structures like the many small bones, tendons, and nerves in the hand.
Hand surgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Some of the most common issues they handle include:
- Nerve compression conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — where pressure on the median nerve at the wrist causes pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
- Tendon injuries or tendon-related problems, including conditions like Trigger Finger (stenosing tenosynovitis), tendon lacerations or ruptures needing repair.
- Joint problems and arthritis affecting the hand or wrist — which may require joint stabilization, reconstruction, or even small-joint replacement surgeries.
- Fractures, dislocations or complex traumatic injuries to the hand or wrist bones, which often need surgical repair to restore correct alignment and function.
- Other conditions — such as cysts (e.g. ganglion cysts), soft-tissue or nerve injuries, deformities, or congenital abnormalities — depending on the patient’s needs.
Because hand surgery can range from relatively minor procedures (e.g. releasing a compressed nerve) to complex reconstructive work, specialists often coordinate with hand therapists, physical therapists, or other rehabilitation services to support full recovery.
When Should You See a Hand Surgeon — Not Just a General Doctor?
Many times, a primary care doctor or general orthopedist might be able to treat mild hand or wrist pain. But there are certain signs that suggest it’s time to see a hand-specialist:
Persistent pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the fingers, hand, or wrist — especially if it doesn’t improve with rest, medication, or basic therapy.
Difficulty performing everyday tasks like gripping, typing, lifting objects, or manipulating small items — especially if loss of strength or functional limitation is noticeable.
Injuries — such as fractures, dislocations, tendon lacerations, or trauma — that cause deformity, instability, or loss of motion.
Conditions unresponsive to non-surgical treatments such as splinting, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory meds — especially if symptoms worsen or remain chronic over time.
Because the anatomy of the hand is intricate and delicate, a hand-specialist often achieves better outcomes than a generalist, especially when complex structures (nerves, tendons, small joints) are involved.
What Types of Treatments or Surgeries Are Common
Depending on your condition, treatment from a hand surgeon may include:
Nerve decompression surgeries — such as carpal tunnel release, to relieve pressure on compressed nerves and restore sensation or strength.
Tendon repairs or reconstructions — for lacerations, ruptures, or tendon sheath problems. Surgeons sometimes perform tendon transfers or grafts for badly damaged structures.
Joint surgery or small-joint replacement / fusion — especially for severe arthritis or joint deformity in the hand/wrist that affects mobility and causes pain.
Fracture fixation / reconstructive surgery — using plates, screws, wires or other hardware to repair broken or misaligned hand/wrist bones.
Outpatient and minimally invasive procedures — many hand surgeries (such as carpal tunnel release or ganglion cyst removal) can be done in procedure rooms under local anesthesia, leading to shorter recovery times and same-day discharge.
In addition to surgical treatment, hand surgeons may collaborate with therapists to design rehabilitation plans — including physical therapy, occupational therapy, splints or braces — to help restore strength, flexibility, and function after surgery.
Why Choosing a Dedicated Hand Surgeon Matters
Because the hand — wrist — forearm anatomy is so intricate and specialized, outcomes often improve significantly when treated by a surgeon whose practice is dedicated largely or exclusively to hand and upper extremity issues. These specialists stay current on techniques, microsurgery, nerve repair, minimally invasive approaches, and hand-specific therapy protocols.
If you are experiencing persistent pain, numbness, weakness, injury, or loss of function in your hand or wrist — don’t wait until it gets worse. Early evaluation by a hand-specialist can improve your chances for a full recovery and help prevent long-term complications.
If you think you might need specialized care — whether for carpal tunnel, tendon injury, arthritis, fractures, or unexplained hand/wrist pain — consider scheduling a consultation at https://jisortho.com/. Their hand-surgery specialists can evaluate your condition and guide you toward the best treatment for restoring comfort and function.