Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Nerve Injuries in the Hand and Wrist
A hand and wrist nerve injury can affect feeling, movement, or coordination in the fingers and hand. These injuries often involve one of the major nerves (median, ulnar, or radial) that travel through the wrist and into the hand. Nerve damage may result from cuts, crush injuries, fractures, or repetitive stress.
Symptoms depend on which nerve is affected but may include numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or difficulty moving parts of the hand. For example, median nerve injuries may cause numbness in the thumb and first two fingers, while ulnar nerve injuries may affect the ring and pinky fingers. Radial nerve injuries may impact wrist and finger extension.
Diagnosis is based on a physical exam, testing of sensation and strength, and sometimes nerve studies or imaging to assess the extent of the injury. Minor nerve compression may improve with rest, splinting, or therapy. If the nerve has been cut or severely damaged, surgery may be needed to repair or reconstruct it.
Recovery depends on the severity and location of the injury. Some nerve injuries heal within weeks, while others may take months. Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves compression of the median nerve at the wrist, may require separate evaluation and treatment. At Slocum, our orthopedic and hand specialists offer expert care to diagnose and treat nerve injuries, helping patients restore hand function and quality of life.
