Hand and Wrist Surgeries & Treatments
Hand & wrist recovery with you in mind
We use our hands and wrists far more than we may realize. When you begin to lose function, everyday activities become debilitating and seemingly unattainable.
Throbbing, burning, soreness — discomfort shouldn’t be a constant part of your day. Whether you’re suffering from an injury to your hand or wrist, or a chronic condition, we’re here to help.
Nerves don't heal the same as other tissues, so surgery is highly recommended and most successful before permanent nerve damage has occurred.
We provide world-class care for hand and wrist surgeries and individualized treatment, so you can take part in the everyday activities that make you, you. Throughout your healing process, we will be in constant contact to ensure everything is healing properly.
Treatment plans, designed for your needs
We combine customized and advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatment along with an individualized treatment plan, plus compassionate care. Before and after surgery, we’ll work with you to build a recovery plan – including physical therapy, medication and rest – that works best for you.
Experience advanced surgical technology
As the recipients of a Top Doctors Award in 2020 for hands and upper extremities, our expert physicians implement the latest surgical techniques, orthopedic devices and best practices for hand & wrist surgery and treatment. For example, we’ve created a landmark incision technique for carpal tunnel surgery that is proven to minimize risk and speed healing.
Recover in comfort
With 20 years of orthopedic surgical experience and counting, we are at the forefront of the most innovative and effective surgical solutions for your hand & wrist injuries, as well as other conditions.
Our Alexander Orthopaedic Outpatient Advantage, a signature feature and guiding philosophy of our practice, allows patients to recover in the comfort of their own homes and return to normalcy faster.
Our mobile therapy team preps you and your home for safety precautions, and to ensure smooth recovery after surgery is completed.
Following your surgery, our mobile and medical therapy team will plan at-home visits to evaluate and ensure recovery goes well. Our office also arranges at-home nursing and physical therapy for you to start within a few days after surgery.
We typically recommend physical therapy for the hand & wrist surgeries and treatments we offer, which improves range of motion, allows you to regain strength and get back to everyday activities quicker.
"After searching for a good hand surgeon, we were referred to Alexander Orthopedic Associates, Dr. Penello in St. Petersburg. Our first appointment was very pleasant, on time, and everybody was very professional. Dr. Penello is a very knowledgeable and gentle surgeon. The surgery itself was without a doubt the best experience ever. No "open hand" surgery but the endoscopic surgery, minimal invasive procedure. After discharge, I had no pain at all. A small incision in the wrist was all it took. Now, not even 2 weeks later, I have just a tiny scar left that will disappear. I was back to work the next day. All in all an awesome experience and I highly recommend this office and Dr. Penello."
- Agnes R.
Common Hand and Wrist Injuries
Hand & wrist injuries can occur due to trauma, overuse, arthritis, or genetics. Due to the high volume of nerves in the hands, wrists and upper extremities, any and all symptoms and conditions you experience should be checked out by a doctor.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve – which runs through the center of the hand – becomes compressed in the wrist. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, and burning in the thumb, index and middle fingers. If left untreated, most of the hand could permanently lose sensation and grip strength.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve – which runs through the center of the forearm down to the fingers – becomes compressed in the elbow. Since the ulnar nerve also controls many of the small muscles in the hand, symptoms such as hand cramping, and loss of grip strength and dexterity can arise as the nerve becomes more compressed over time.
Tendonitis of the Hand, Wrist, Elbow, & Shoulder
Tendonitis describes inflammation and irritation of our tendons, which act as to connect our muscles to our bones. There are dozens of tendons in the upper extremity, and all of them are susceptible to developing tendonitis.
Jammed or broken fingers
Typically, jammed or broken fingers are easily treatable with at-home care like anti-inflammatory medications, ice and the taping of one injured finger to the next to serve as a splint, allowing for proper healing. In some instances, surgery may be required if symptoms persist while treating the injury at home.
Arthritis of the Hand, Wrist, Elbow, & Shoulder
Arthritis results in the progressive degeneration of the joint, leading to pain, swelling, and loss of motion. In the long run, arthritis can severely compromise your function.
When fingers and wrists are affected, simple activities like, cooking, turning keys, writing, typing, gardening, or personal grooming become difficult and painful.
Lumps, Bumps, & Other Lesions
Finding a lump or lesion can be a stressful experience, but it is best to always get these unknowns examined by a doctor. While cancer in the hand & upper extremity is uncommon, it can still occur. Schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced upper extremity specialist.
Alexander Orthopaedic Associates is the only orthopedic practice in the Tampa Bay area that specializes in outpatient joint replacement surgery.
Common Hand and Wrist Surgeries and Procedures
Prior to undergoing hand & wrist surgery, your doctor will first diagnose your condition using a physical examination, X-rays, MRIs, electromyography, or nerve conduction studies.
Depending on the state of your condition or injury, doctors may either recommend physical therapy, over the counter medication like Carpal Comfort, or surgery. Procedures are recommended to patients who have decreased range of motion in their hand and wrist that keeps them from performing everyday activities, like putting on clothes, driving, typing, or cooking.
Who will be performing my hand & wrist surgery and treatment?
Several of our expert physicians specialize in hand & wrist surgery, including Dr. Alexander, Dr. Penello and Dr. Swaringen. Our acclaimed surgeons hold memberships to the following prestigious associations:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
- Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
- American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
- Florida Orthopaedic Society (FOS)
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery is a common procedure that involves an incision made to the hand or wrist that relieves pressure and pain on the median nerve.
At Alexander Orthopaedics, our state-of-the-art carpal tunnel surgery uses a small incision made to the wrist, rather than the traditional, larger incision made to the medial nerve. This decreases the chance of complication during and after surgery, and speeds the rate of healing time.
Xiaflex injection
Xiaflex injections are state-of-the art injections that dissolve diseased connective tissue, allowing the patient to bypass surgery and get to healing quickly.
Minimally-invasive, Xiaflex injections treat Dupuytren's contracture, which is essentially the overgrowth of tissue knots that lie under the surface of the skin of the palm. This is caused by collagen overproduction in the hand, and causes the fingers to bend in a highly uncomfortable position.
Our expert hand & wrist specialists hold the rare distinction of being some of just a few surgeons who are eligible and highly experienced to administer Xiaflex injections.
Joint Arthroplasty
Joint arthroplasty involves resurfacing the bones of the joint or replacing the joint with an artificial prosthesis to offer increased stability in the joint. Arthroplasty of the hand or wrist offers pain relief and allows the patient to retain or regain mobility in their finger or wrist.
Following surgery, be sure to follow your doctor’s personalized treatment plan to a tee, and avoid any strenuous activity that could damage your replaced joints.
Cubital Tunnel Surgery
Cubital tunnel surgery is a procedure that involves an incision made to the ulnar nerve of the inner elbow to release the decompressed nerve. Cubital tunnel syndrome causes debilitating numbness and a lack of control of the small muscles of the hand.
While there have been innovations to the procedure that involve minimal incisions, our traditional approach decreases risk and guarantees that debilitating symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome are relieved.
Total Wrist Replacement
A total wrist replacement involves removing degenerated bones – typically as a result of arthritis, trauma or of the wrist — and replacing them with prosthetics. The surgery allows a patient to maintain the motion in their wrist and relieves pain.
Your doctor would recommend a total wrist replacement if you have degenerative arthritis that is not responding to non-invasive treatment, like anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and minimizing activity.
While total wrist replacement surgeries traditionally involve hospital stays, our Alexander Orthopaedic Associates’ Outpatient Advantage allows you to return home from surgery same-day.
Experience the Alexander Orthopaedics Advantage
Whether you’re dealing with a minor hand and wrist injury or experiencing severely debilitating symptoms, we can help. Schedule an appointment and an experienced Alexander Orthopaedics team member will reach out within 24 hours to discuss your hand & wrist surgery and treatment options to begin your recovery.