APPOINTMENT

Wrist

Wrist Conditions

What is a Distal Radius Fracture?

A distal radius fracture is a break near the wrist end of the radius, one of the two long bones in the forearm. It is the most commonly broken bone in the arm and often occurs when someone falls onto an outstretched hand. This type of fracture can vary in severity from a simple break to a complex, displaced fracture that may involve the joint surface of the wrist.

Proper treatment and rehabilitation are essential to restore wrist motion, strength, and function, especially for individuals who use their hands regularly for work, sports, or daily activities.

Causes of Distal Radius Fractures

Falling on an outstretched hand (FOOSH injury)
Sports injuries, particularly in contact sports or high-impact activities
Motor vehicle accidents
Osteoporosis or weakened bones increasing susceptibility to fractures
Direct trauma to the wrist

Signs and Symptoms

Pain, swelling, and tenderness near the wrist
Visible deformity or a crooked appearance of the wrist
Bruising and limited wrist or hand motion
Difficulty gripping or lifting objects
Numbness or tingling in the fingers if nerves are affected

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, we offer expert care for patients recovering from distal radius fractures—whether managed conservatively with casting or surgically with fixation. Our experienced team of Occupational and Physical Therapists, including Certified Hand Therapists, provides a customized treatment plan to guide you through every phase of recovery.

Treatment may include:
Custom splinting or bracing during early healing
Progressive exercises to restore wrist, forearm, and hand mobility
Strengthening activities to improve grip and functional use
Scar management and soft tissue mobilization (post-surgical)
Edema control, pain management, and desensitization techniques
Education on activity modification and safe return to work or sport

 

What is a TFCC Injury?

The Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) is a group of ligaments and cartilage structures located on the small finger side of the wrist. It acts as a stabilizer between the end of the ulna (one of the forearm bones) and the wrist bones, while also helping to cushion and support the wrist during gripping, twisting, and weight-bearing activities.

TFCC injuries can range from minor tears to complete disruptions and are often caused by trauma, repetitive motion, or age-related degeneration. Left untreated, these injuries can lead to chronic pain, weakness, and reduced wrist function.

Causes of TFCC Injuries

Falling on an outstretched hand
Forceful twisting or rotation of the wrist (e.g., during sports or manual labor)
Degenerative changes from aging or repetitive wrist motions
Wrist fractures or dislocations
Heavy lifting or gripping with the wrist in a rotated position

Signs and Symptoms
 Pain on the ulnar (pinky finger) side of the wrist
Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations with wrist movement
Weakness or instability when gripping or rotating the wrist
Swelling or tenderness along the outer edge of the wrist
Difficulty bearing weight through the hand (e.g., pushing off a surface)

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, our team of expert Occupational and Physical Therapists—including Certified Hand Therapists—specializes in evaluating and treating TFCC injuries. We work closely with each patient to develop an individualized plan focused on reducing pain, restoring stability, and returning to full wrist function.

Treatment may include:
Custom wrist splinting to support healing and reduce strain
Manual therapy to restore mobility and reduce inflammation
Progressive exercises to strengthen the wrist, forearm, and grip
Neuromuscular re-education for improved wrist stability
Activity modification education and ergonomic recommendations
Post-operative rehabilitation when surgical intervention is necessary

 

What is a Scaphoid Fracture?

A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the small bones in the wrist, located near the base of the thumb. The scaphoid plays a critical role in wrist stability and movement. Because of its unique blood supply, scaphoid fractures can be slow to heal and may not show up immediately on X-rays, making early diagnosis and proper treatment essential.

Scaphoid fractures are most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand and are often misdiagnosed as a wrist sprain in the early stages.

Causes of Scaphoid Fractures

Falling onto an outstretched hand (most common)
Sports-related impacts or collisions
Motor vehicle accidents
Direct trauma or compression to the thumb side of the wrist

Signs and Symptoms

Pain and tenderness in the thumb side of the wrist, especially in the anatomical snuffbox (a hollow between tendons)
Swelling around the wrist
Difficulty or pain when gripping or pinching
Reduced wrist motion or strength
Pain worsened by pushing, lifting, or wrist extension
Symptoms may be mild initially, leading to delayed diagnosis

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, our expert Occupational and Physical Therapists—including Certified Hand Therapists—provide individualized care plans for scaphoid fracture recovery. Whether you are treated non-surgically with casting or have undergone surgical repair, we guide you through a structured therapy program focused on restoring full wrist function.

Treatment may include:
Custom splinting or casting to protect the healing bone
Progressive range-of-motion and strengthening exercises
Manual therapy to improve joint and soft tissue mobility
Scar and edema management following surgery
Activity modification and ergonomic education
Return-to-sport and functional task retraining

What is Wrist Tendonitis?

Wrist tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of the tendons around the wrist joint, typically caused by overuse or repetitive strain. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones and help facilitate movement. When these tendons become inflamed, they can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty using the wrist and hand for everyday tasks.

This condition can affect one or more tendons and is often seen in people who perform repetitive motions such as typing, lifting, gripping, or sports that involve frequent wrist movement.

Causes of Wrist Tendonitis

Repetitive wrist motions or overuse
Prolonged computer or smartphone use
Manual labor or use of vibrating tools
Sudden increase in physical activity
Poor wrist posture or ergonomics
Sports involving repetitive wrist action (e.g., tennis, golf, rowing)

Signs and Symptoms

Pain and tenderness in the wrist, especially during movement
Swelling or warmth around the affected tendon
Stiffness or weakness in the wrist or grip
A feeling of tightness or aching in the forearm
Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
In some cases, a creaking or grating sensation with motion (crepitus)

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, our experienced team of Occupational and Physical Therapists—including Certified Hand Therapists—provides expert care for wrist tendonitis. We create a tailored treatment plan that targets the source of irritation, reduces inflammation, and restores wrist function.

Treatment may include:
Custom wrist splinting or bracing to reduce strain on the tendon
Therapeutic exercises to stretch and strengthen affected muscles
Manual therapy to relieve tension and improve mobility
Modalities such as ultrasound or ice/heat therapy to reduce inflammation
Activity modification and ergonomic education to prevent recurrence
Gradual return-to-activity training and injury prevention strategies

What is a Ganglion Cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that commonly forms along joints or tendons in the wrist, hand, or fingers. These cysts are typically noncancerous and vary in size. They may appear suddenly or develop gradually over time. While some ganglion cysts cause no discomfort, others can be painful, limit movement, or put pressure on nearby nerves.

Ganglion cysts are most commonly found on the back of the wrist but can also appear on the palm side, near the base of the fingers, or along tendons in the hand.

Causes of Ganglion Cysts

The exact cause is not always clear, but ganglion cysts may be linked to:
Repetitive wrist or hand motion
Joint or tendon irritation
Underlying joint conditions such as arthritis
Previous wrist injuries or sprains
Leakage of synovial fluid from nearby joints or tendon sheaths

Signs and Symptoms

Visible lump on the wrist, hand, or finger (may change in size)
Pain or aching, especially with joint movement
Tingling or numbness if the cyst presses on a nearby nerve
Stiffness or weakness in the affected area
Cyst may feel firm or spongy, depending on fluid pressure

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, our skilled team—including Certified Hand Therapists—offers expert evaluation and conservative management for ganglion cysts. While some cysts may resolve on their own, therapy can help reduce discomfort, improve function, and prevent recurrence.

Treatment may include:
Splinting or bracing to reduce irritation and limit motion
Activity modification to avoid aggravating the cyst
Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization
Strengthening and stretching exercises to support joint health
Post-surgical rehabilitation if removal is required

 

What is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It occurs when the sheath surrounding the tendons that control thumb movement becomes irritated or inflamed, causing pain and difficulty with gripping, lifting, or twisting motions. This condition is often caused by overuse or repetitive thumb and wrist movements.

De Quervain’s is common in new parents (sometimes called “mommy thumb”), athletes, and workers who frequently use their hands for gripping or lifting.

Causes of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Repetitive thumb or wrist movements
Prolonged gripping, lifting, or pinching
Overuse from work tasks, childcare, or hobbies
Inflammatory conditions like arthritis
Hormonal changes or fluid retention (common postpartum)
Wrist trauma or direct impact

Signs and Symptoms

Pain and swelling near the base of the thumb
Pain that worsens with thumb movement or gripping
Tenderness over the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist
Difficulty lifting objects or opening jars
Pain that may radiate up the forearm
A snapping or catching sensation during thumb movement

How We Help You Recover

At Hand Rehabilitation Specialists, our expert Occupational and Physical Therapists—including Certified Hand Therapists—specialize in treating tendon-related wrist conditions like De Quervain’s. We develop customized treatment plans to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore functional use of the hand and wrist.

Treatment may include:
Custom thumb and wrist splinting to rest the tendons
Activity modification and ergonomic strategies
Manual therapy and soft tissue mobilization
Therapeutic exercises to restore mobility and strength
Education on joint protection techniques
Post-injection or post-surgical rehabilitation if needed