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Hand and Wrist Problems

You use your hands for almost everything you do, making them among your body’s most essential tools. If common problems like carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow are causing you pain, stiffness and limited function, specialized care can help. 

Woman stretching wrist

Types of Diseases

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Dupuytren's Disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Tennis Elbow

Hand and Wrist Problems Facts and Stats

You have 27 bones in your hand and wrist. And if you're like most people, you regularly put great strain on your elbow. Here’s what you need to know to maintain these crucial tools.

  •  At least 3 percent of working adults experience carpal tunnel syndrome each year. Your risk increases with age. Children rarely develop carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men.
  • Elbow tendinitis affects about half of all tennis players at some point in their lives. But only one in 20 people diagnosed with “tennis elbow” each year actually play tennis.
  • Tennis elbow can result from damage to a forearm muscle that helps stabilize your wrist when your arm is straight. Painters, plumbers, carpenters, cooks and butchers are more likely than other workers to develop tennis elbow.
  • In children, dislocated elbows occur more than any other joint. In adults, elbow dislocation is second only to dislocated shoulder.

Patient Information

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Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

 
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  • Tips for Choosing a Doctor
  • Health Insurance Guide

Find a Hand and Wrist Specialist

Hand and Wrist Repairs

Woman stretching wrist

Hand, Wrist and Elbow Care

From physical therapy to advanced microsurgery, Sutter Health orthopedic specialists can help.

Wrist marked up for surgery

Wrist Arthroscopy

Sutter care centers provide minimally invasive surgery for injuries of the wrist tendons and ligaments.

Doctor and female patient

Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon

Use this guide to help you choose one of Sutter’s more than 400 orthopedic surgeons.

Ask an Expert

Joshua C. Richards

Joshua C. Richards, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

I have had a lump on my left wrist for over a year. It was bigger at one time and now is small. Sometimes in protrudes through the skin. Should I be worried about this? It doesn't hurt.

It is most likely a ganglion cyst, which is a benign, fluid-filled sac that extends from the wrist joint. They tend to wax and wane in size and if it is large enough, they can be drained. Back in the wild west ... continue reading  about  I have had a lump on my left wrist for over a year. It was bigger at one time and now is small. Sometimes in protrudes through the skin. Should I be worried about this? It doesn't hurt.

Joshua C. Richards

Joshua C. Richards, M.D.

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?

Unfortunately, recurrence of a ganglion cyst is not that uncommon. The options are still the same. You can live with it if it doesn't hurt very much. You can potentially have it drained. Or, you can have it exc... continue reading  about  I had wrist surgery in January for a ganglion cyst on the inside of my wrist. It was painful and affected my quality of life. It was healing well until six weeks ago. The cyst has returned and is causing the same symptoms prior to surgery. What can I do?

Arfan Din

Arfan Din, D.O.

Sutter Medical Group

I wake up with my right hand numb. My thumb and middle finger seem the worst. It takes awhile for the numbness to wear off. I work in a grocery store, so I'm always on my feet and on the register. What should I do?

Numbness in the hand could be due to a number of factors. Typically we describe this as a "neuropathy" which means the nerve is not working normally. We have nerves that travel throughout our body and when they... continue reading  about  I wake up with my right hand numb. My thumb and middle finger seem the worst. It takes awhile for the numbness to wear off. I work in a grocery store, so I'm always on my feet and on the register. What should I do?

Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or pain in the body's joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons and other structures that support the arms, legs, neck and back. Specific disorders include such things as carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis and tendinitis. It can also include cuts and fractures due to accidents. Research in this area seeks to improve the treatment of disorders and the prevention of accidents, especially in the work environment.

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Health and Wellness

Tips for Weekend Warriors

Tips for Weekend Warriors

If you go full-throttle on weekends, use these smart tactics to help prevent common injuries.

Tips for Weekend Warriors

Experts Who Partner With You

Tying shoes

Orthopedic Services

The Sutter Health network includes more than 400 orthopedic surgery and sports medicine specialists. Learn about today’s treatment options for repetitive strain injuries or pain and stiffness in your hands, wrists and elbows.

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
John C. Kofoed, M.D.

John C. Kofoed, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Lenita Williamson, M.D.

Lenita Williamson, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

James L. Chen, M.D.

James L. Chen, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Sports Medicine

Dirk Diefendorf, M.D.

Dirk Diefendorf, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Sports Medicine

Yuhwan Hong, M.D.

Yuhwan Hong, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Michael Sathy, M.D.

Michael Sathy, M.D.

  • Hand Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Michael W. Leathers, M.D.

Michael W. Leathers, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Walter Pyka, M.D.

Walter Pyka, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Hafiz F. Kassam, M.D., FRCSC

Hafiz F. Kassam, M.D., FRCSC

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Sports Medicine

View All Related Doctors

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