Hand, Wrist or Elbow

Hand, wrist or elbow pain can come from trauma (such as from a fall), arthritis or even overuse, and can stop you from doing many of your daily activities. Our team of surgeons, therapists and nurses at the University of Michigan Health System are specially trained to treat all forms of hand, wrist and elbow problems with a variety of non-surgical and surgical treatments. 

The conditions we treat include:

We take a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, getting input from all of the medical areas that are involved with your care.

Note: If you have suffered a trauma - whether it's from a fall or a sports injury - it's important to seek treatment as soon you can or you could risk further complications, such as stiffness, atrophy or malunion (where a fracture heals in a bad position that is difficult to undo). Getting that diagnosis quickly and accurately means we can treat you while the injury is simpler to treat.

Diagnosis of Hand, Wrist or Elbow Conditions

When you come to the University of Michigan we will:

  • Take your complete medical history, ask you about your pattern of symptoms and conduct a physical exam
  • Consult with your referring physician, if there is one
  • Take X-rays and may need to order a CT scan or an MRI 

We will use all of this information to develop an individualized treatment plan for you. 

Treatment for Hand, Wrist or Elbow Conditions

Often, problems with the hand, wrist or elbow require only non-surgical care, such as splinting or injections. However, if the issue is too severe, pain continues or there isn't an effective non-surgical treatment, we'll recommend surgery.

Based on our years of experience, we can offer you a variety of surgical options, depending on your issue, including:

  • Elbow joint replacement 
  • Fracture fixation (putting a bone in place and supporting it until it is strong enough to bear weight)
  • Nerve decompression
  • Tendon repair
  • Wrist arthroscopy (a minimally invasive technique of diagnosing and treating problems through small incisions)

Rehabilitation is an important part of your treatment process. Our rehabilitation techniques will help restore your function, range of motion and strength. We manage all of our patients' rehabilitation with the aid of our Certified Hand Therapists. 

Contact Us / Make an Appointment

  • Orthopaedic Call Center, 734-936-5780
  • Plastic Surgery Hand Call Center, 734-998-6022
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR), 734-936-7175

Selecting a health care provider is a very important decision. Because we are highly experienced in successfully treating all types of hand, wrist and elbow conditions, we would like to help you explore your treatment options. Visit our Contact Us page to see a list of clinics and their contact information. Our staff will be glad to talk with you about how we can help. 

The University of Michigan Hand Program

Our team of specialists at the University of Michigan Hand Program is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for a variety of hand problems. From arthritis injuries, to congenital hand conditions, to the most complex reconstruction, our hand specialists approach each case individually, with a specific plan designed to maximize the restoration of both form and function. Depending on the types of hand conditions our patients face, our physicians will help determine the best therapies or procedures to maximize hand functionality and normal hand appearances. Visit the University of Michigan Hand Program page to learn more about the program and to contact our hand specialists.