Elbow, Wrist & Hand Pain in Vancouver, WA

What is Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain?

Elbow, wrist, and hand pain can be a complex condition that varies in intensity from mild to severe, hindering your ability to perform everyday tasks. You might also experience other discomforting symptoms such as tingling, numbness, or difficulty lifting or grasping objects. These symptoms can greatly affect your overall well-being and limit your participation in daily activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Our certified hand therapists conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess the underlying causes of elbow, wrist, and hand pain. They examine the joint mechanics, soft tissues, and functional movements to identify the specific structures involved and potential contributing factors. This detailed assessment guides the development of a tailored treatment plan for each patient.

For certain conditions, such as tendonitis or ligament injuries, we may recommend the use of splints or orthotic devices. These customized supports help stabilize and protect the affected area, allowing for optimal healing and pain relief. We ensure the proper custom fitting and provide guidance on when and how to use these devices effectively.

Conditions We Treat

Our Vancouver, WA hand therapy clinic is adept at treating a variety of wrist and hand conditions, including:

• Arthritis: Early signs of hand arthritis include a dull or burning joint pain that often emerges after periods of increased joint use, such as heavy gripping or grasping. The pain may not be immediate, but it may appear hours later or even the following day. Morning stiffness and pain are also common symptoms of arthritis.

• Trigger Finger: This condition causes one of your fingers to get stuck in a bent position, similar to a trigger being pulled and released. A trigger finger develops when inflammation and irritation occur in the tendon sheath of the affected finger, hindering the normal gliding motion of the tendon. Prolonged irritation can lead to scarring, thickening, and the formation of bumps or nodules in the tendon, further restricting the tendon’s motion.

• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: A painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can cause pain when turning the wrist, grasping, or making a fist. No matter the type or severity of your wrist or hand condition, our team of certified hand therapists is ready to help. We’re dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans to alleviate your discomfort and restore your hand and wrist functionality.

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of genetic disorders that affect the body’s connective tissues, which provide strength and elasticity to the skin, joints, and blood vessels. It is characterized by hypermobility of the joints, stretchy and fragile skin, and a variety of other symptoms that vary in severity from person to person.

• Fractures: Fractures, commonly known as broken bones, occur when there is a crack or complete break in a bone due to excessive force or trauma. They can vary in severity from hairline fractures, which are small cracks, to compound fractures, where the bone pierces through the skin.

• Post-Surgery: Post-surgery hand treatment includes exercises, splinting, and rehabilitation techniques to promote optimal healing and restore hand function. It focuses on reducing pain, swelling, and stiffness, while improving range of motion, strength, and coordination for a successful recovery.

• Sprains: Hand sprains occur when the ligaments in the hand are stretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited hand movement. Treatment for hand sprains typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), along with immobilization and gradual rehabilitation exercises to promote healing and restore function.

• Cubital Tunnel: Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the ulnar nerve, which runs along the inner side of the elbow, becomes compressed or irritated. It often leads to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the ring and little fingers, and can be managed through conservative measures like rest, splinting, and physical therapy, or in severe cases, surgical release of the compressed nerve.

• Amputations : Rehabilitation after amputation focuses on helping individuals adapt to their new circumstances, providing prosthetic limbs, and offering physical therapy to improve mobility, functional abilities, and overall quality of life.

• Tendonitis: Tendonitis, also known as tendinitis, is a condition characterized by the inflammation of a tendon, which is the tissue that connects muscle to bone. It commonly causes pain, swelling, and restricted movement in the affected area, and treatment typically involves rest, icing, physical therapy, and, in some cases, anti-inflammatory medications to relieve symptoms and promote healing.

Ready for Relief? Call Us Today!

Seeking specialized care from a certified hand therapist is crucial healing. At Gabbert Clinic, our hand therapists are committed to providing evaluations, personalized plans, and a range of therapeutic interventions to help with pain and improve functionality. Contact us today to experience the benefits of specialized hand therapy in relieving elbow, wrist, and hand pain. Our team is here to support you on your journey to a pain-free and active lifestyle.