New Hand Surgeon in Missoula Montana

Dr. Nicholas Beck is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic hand surgeon, with a subspecialty certificate in orthopedic surgery of the hand. He specializes in all injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (elbow, wrist, and hand), which includes nerve entrapment such as carpal tunnel, trigger finger, upper extremity trauma reconstruction, painful arthritis, fractures, and lacerations. He enjoys his chosen profession because it enables him to work with patients of all ages and treat a variety of problems that really impact a person’s day-to-day activities. He likes to work alongside his patients to improve their function so they can get back to work and the recreational activities they enjoy. Dr. Beck has been in practice in Billings, Montana, for the past four years. He is excited to join Dr. Andy Puckett and Dr. Charlie Sullivan as part of our Hand and Microvascular team.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the Median Nerve in the wrist is compressed. Nerves carry messages between our brains, spinal cord, and body parts. The Median Nerve carries signals for sensation and muscle movement. When the Median Nerve is compressed or entrapped, it cannot function properly. The primary symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are pain, numbness, and tingling. The numbness and tingling is typically present in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger. Some people describe the pain as a deep ache or burning. Your pain may radiate into your arms. Your thumb may feel weak and clumsy. You may have difficulty grasping items, and you may drop things. Your symptoms may be more pronounced at night, when you perform certain activities, or in cold temperatures.

Trigger Finger and Trigger Thumb, medically termed Stenosing Tenosynovitis, are common hand conditions. This condition occurs when the tendons in the thumb and fingers do not glide smoothly. Tendons are strong tissues that connect our muscles to our bones. Trigger Finger and Trigger Thumb causes the tendons to catch or get stuck when the fingers or thumb bend. This condition makes it difficult to straighten the fingers and thumb back out. It can also cause pain, discomfort, and swelling. Trigger Finger can occur in one or more fingers or the thumb at the same time, or it may occur in different fingers with or without thumb involvement at different times.

You can read about other conditions that Dr. Beck treats on our Hand & Microvascular specialty page. If you would like to schedule an appointment to learn about your treatment options please call our clinic at (406) 721-4436.

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