Specialized Care for Upper Extremities
Our hands, wrists and elbows consist of many moving parts that allow us to perform a myriad of everyday functions. Because of their complex structure and network of muscles, nerves and tendons, they require specialized medical care and treatment when problems arise.
Cape Cod Healthcare's board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons who specialize in caring for hands and upper extremities offer a range of services for a variety of common and complex conditions, including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Congenital deformities
- Fractures and dislocations
- Osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Diagnostic Imaging
Ultrasound (US) images of the musculoskeletal system (MSK) provide pictures of the bones and soft tissue throughout the body. This technology allows the radiologist to exam multiple joints in high resolution. Ultrasound is an important tool when diagnosing common ailments like bursitis and rotator cuff injuries and is particularly effective in detecting diseases or conditions of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers, ankle and foot.
In contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a clearer picture of the entire joint, including bone abnormalities, cartilage and deep ligaments.
MSK US is a pain-free, non-invasive test that uses both technologies together. MSK US and MRI can be used separately or in combination.
When combined, MSK US is used to examine:
- Rotator cuff tendon injuries
- Shoulder bursitis
- Inflammation of the acromioclavicular joint
- Osteoarthritis of shoulder, hip, knee, ankle and hand.
- Achilles tendon tear
- Plantar fasciitis
- Plantar plate tear
MSK US is used to guide therapeutic needle injections. This technology is also used to aid treatments for soft tissue or bone injuries:
- Therapeutic injection of hand, foot, ankle, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, fingers, shoulder joints
- Therapeutic injection of subacromial/subdeltoid bursa
- Therapeutic injection of trochanteric bursa
- Therapeutic injection of ileopsoas bursa
Treatment Options
Our orthopedic specialists use a variety of techniques to treat hands, wrists and elbows, beginning with the most conservative through to total joint replacement. After careful diagnosis, they’ll work with you to develop a customized care plan designed to achieve the best possible outcome for your specific condition.
Treatments may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Arthroscopy – wrist and elbow
- Elbow arthroplasty
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
- Surgery
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are specially trained in the latest muscle- and nerve-sparing procedures using smaller incisions for faster recovery times and less pain.
