payments icon    ONLINE BILL PAY

payments icon    CARECREDIT

payments icon    PATIENT PORTAL
payments icon    REQUEST INVITE

Hand

Our specialty-trained hand doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ hand injuries and conditions.

Hand doctors not only understand the anatomy of the hand, but they also have significant knowledge about the underlying causes of hand issues. Because of this, they can help people who are experiencing hand pain by providing expert diagnosis and treatment options as well as educating them on actions to take to reduce the risk of future pain or injury.

While hand injuries due to one-time accidents are common and can happen to anyone, repetitive stress injuries are also a common reason that people seek out a hand doctor. Not surprisingly, the hand is at particular risk for repetitive stress injuries simply because of its high frequency of use. Office workers are one group that is at very high risk of injury since they use their fingers and hands constantly, including when they type on a computer, do file work, and perform similar tasks over and over.

Seniors are also in a higher risk category for hand pain because their hands have been in use for many years and some of the joints and structures have become worn. However, getting older does not automatically result in hand pain, and hand doctors can help younger patients with hand pain too.

When It’s Time to Seek Hand Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with hand problems typically have:

  • Decreased sensation in the fingers or thumbs
  • Elbow pain that travels down to the wrist and hand
  • Grinding sensations in the hand or finger joints (known as crepitus)
  • Gripping or pinching causes pain
  • Lump on the top of the hand
  • Pain in the base of the thumb or wrist
  • Straightening or stretching fingers is difficult
  • Throbbing and aching pain
  • Tingling in specific fingers
  • Weakness

If any of these symptoms describe your issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these hand conditions or injuries:

  • Broken finger
  • Broken hand
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • CMC joint arthritis
  • Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Ganglion cyst
  • Mallet finger
  • Other hand or finger arthritis (rheumatoid or osteoarthritis)
  • Tendon damage
  • Trigger finger
  • Type of nerve compression syndrome

Hand pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our specialists and set up a consultation. Call us today at (318) 362-4411 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Monroe, Ruston, and West Monroe, and we also offer rehabilitation services at our Monroe Rehab and West Monroe Rehab facilities.

Our doctors understand that some injuries require immediate attention. If your hand injury can’t wait, visit our Orthopaedic After Hours Clinic at our main location in Monroe. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Expert Hand Care You Can Trust

Since 1951, our doctors have remained dedicated to providing specialized bone, joint, and muscle care to the communities of northeast Louisiana. They are backed by a knowledgeable and professional staff and are equipped with the latest resources, technology, and tools they need to deliver the very best orthopaedic care to all patients.

At North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Grant DonaDr. Martin deGravelle Jr., Dr. Timothy “Daven” Spires Jr., and Dr. David Trettin, are experts at understanding the multitude of hand issues that exist and the most appropriate ways to treat them. Our hand surgeons believe in exhausting all conservative treatments first before considering a medical procedure or surgery. However, if our surgeons diagnose your damage as severe, they may recommend hand surgery and will educate you about the process, which includes what you need to consider, how you can prepare for hand surgery, and what you can expect during recovery.

Our specialty-trained physical therapists and occupational therapists work closely with our hand surgeons to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan. Our expert therapists are dedicated to helping all patients return to their daily activities quickly and safely, combining specific activities and exercises in ensuring that patients can restore joint and muscular function, strength, and range of motion.

If you have concerns about your hand, schedule an appointment to talk through your options with one of our expertly trained hand surgeons by calling us at (318) 362-4411 or requesting an appointment online.

Cameron M. Best, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hand & Upper Extremity

Martin J. deGravelle Jr, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Hand & Upper Extremity

Grant A. Dona, M.D.

Fellowship-Trained: Foot & Ankle

Conditions

Basal Joint Osteoarthritis

This condition is a degeneration of cartilage in the joints at the base of the thumb, collectively called the basal joint. The main component of the basal joint is the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC), joint. This joint, which allows the thumb to pivot and swivel, can wear out even early in life.



Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Pain, numbness and tingling in your hand may be from carpal tunnel syndrome. It happens when the area around the main nerve to your hand is too tight. The nerve is called the median nerve. And the small space in your wrist where it passes is called the carpal tunnel.



Treatments

Basal Joint Surgery

Pain in the basal joint caused by arthritis makes it difficult for patients to grip and hold or twist objects between the thumb and fingers. This surgical procedure removes and rebuilds the basal joint.



Carpal Tunnel Release
(Open Technique)

This surgical procedure treats the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome. It relieves pressure on a nerve that travels through your wrist. This nerve is called the “median” nerve.



Tendon Repair

This procedure, performed under general anesthesia, is used to repair a ruptured or severed tendon in the finger or thumb.



Wrist Arthroscopy

This minimally invasive outpatient procedure allows the surgeon to evaluate and treat injuries and disorders of the ligaments, cartilage, and bones of the wrist. The surgeon uses a small camera, called an arthroscope, and tiny instruments which are inserted through small incisions in the wrist.