Hand and Wrist Conditions and Injuries

Hand and Wrist Conditions

Wrist injuries, hand disorders, and elbow conditions are common and can cause pain, loss of sensation, loss of movement, and impaired function. Our hand and upper extremity specialists are prepared to treat these problems so that you can return to work or your favorite activities as quickly as possible. Missoula Bone & Joint is fortunate to have two board-certified, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeons on staff.

Dr. Andy Puckett is board certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. He specializes in all conditions of the upper extremity which includes the wrist, hand, and elbow. Click here to read more about Dr. Puckett and what patients are saying about his care.

Dr. Charlie Sullivan is board certified with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery. He specializes in all conditions of the upper extremity which includes the wrist, hand, and elbow.  Click here to read more about Dr. Sullivan and what his patients are saying about his care.

Dr. Puckett and Dr. Sullivan work closely with Kristin Biggins, Missoula Bone & Joint’s Occupational Therapist certified in Hand Therapy. As an occupational therapist (OT), Kristin’s passion lies in connecting with her patients, educating them about their diagnoses, and assisting them in getting back to the activities that they love through occupation-based interventions. She has had a focused career as a certified hand therapist treating a wide variety of upper extremity diagnoses including orthopedic, trauma related, management of the arthritic hand, overuse syndromes, and neurological disorders. In addition, she is certified in lymphedema therapy, and has experience working within cancer rehab. She is dedicated to emphasizing the holistic perspective of OT within her treatment sessions for best outcomes.

Anatomy of the Hand and Wrist

The hands and wrists feature a complex anatomy: 27 small bones, plus an intricate network of nerves, blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, some of which extend to the elbow. A problem in the hand or wrist must be dealt with very carefully, which is why a comprehensive evaluation to learn about your treatment options is an excellent starting point.

Many of the hand and wrist patients we see have suffered a work-related injury. Accidents such as lacerations or fractures can cause damage to bones, tendons, nerves, or blood vessels. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in your thumb and/or fingers that radiates to your arm. The most common hand and wrist conditions we treat and surgeries we perform include:

Common Hand and Wrist Conditions (this is not a comprehensive list):

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
• DeQuervain’s tendonitis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Trigger finger
• Ganglion cysts
• Flexor tendon and extensor tendon injuries
• Radial tunnel syndrome
• Hand, wrist, and finger fractures
• Scaphoid fracture
• Infections
• Nerve injuries

Common Hand and Wrist Procedures (this is not a comprehensive list):

• Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery
• Open release carpal tunnel surgery
• Open surgery for wrist fractures
• Wrist fusion and arthroscopy
• Thumb (basal) joint arthroplasty/reconstruction
• Finger joint replacement (PIP/MCP)
• Hand nerve injury repair
• Tendon transfers

If you have an elbow, hand, or wrist condition that is causing you pain or limiting the things you can do, come see one of our upper extremity surgeons in our Missoula, Montana office. Call (406) 721-4436 or request an appointment online today.

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