A hand surgery specialist diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm. Because the hand’s anatomy is incredibly intricate, these doctors undergo advanced fellowship training beyond general orthopedic surgery to master its complex network of nerves, tendons, and bones.
They routinely treat conditions such as:
- Nerve compression conditions — Carpal tunnel syndrome is among the most common conditions a specialist in hand surgery treats
- Arthritis and tendon disorders — Conditions like trigger finger, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and Dupuytren’s contracture cause daily pain that a hand specialist can effectively manage
- Fractures and injuries — Hand and wrist fractures, tendon tears, and ligament damage require expert surgical care to restore full function
A specialist in hand surgery is one of the most precise and highly trained doctors in the orthopedic field. Your hands contain 27 bones, 29 joints, and more than 30 muscles — all packed into a small space that you rely on for nearly everything you do. When something goes wrong, the impact on your daily life can be immediate and significant.
What Is a Specialist in Hand Surgery?
A specialist in hand surgery is a physician who has completed training in orthopedic surgery and then pursued an additional one-year fellowship focused specifically on the hand, wrist, and forearm. This extra training goes beyond what a general orthopedic surgeon learns.
These specialists understand the detailed anatomy of tendons, nerves, ligaments, and small bones. That level of knowledge matters when the structures being treated are less than a millimeter wide. They treat both surgical and non-surgical conditions, meaning you do not always need an operation to benefit from seeing one.
What Nerve Conditions Does a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat?
Nerve compression is one of the most frequently seen categories of conditions in hand surgery. Two conditions stand out as particularly common.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve — the nerve that runs through a narrow passageway in your wrist — becomes compressed. This causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Many people notice symptoms are worse at night or when gripping objects.
According to the American Medical Association, carpal tunnel syndrome affects up to 10 million people in the United States. A 2025 study published in ScienceDirect found that between 400,000 and 500,000 carpal tunnel release surgeries are performed annually in the U.S., at a total cost of more than $2 billion — reflecting just how widespread this condition is.
Treatment ranges from wrist splinting and corticosteroid injections to minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. A specialist in hand surgery can determine which approach is right for your specific case.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome involves compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. It causes numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers. Severe cases can cause weakness in hand grip.
A hand surgery specialist treats this with positioning changes, bracing, or surgical nerve decompression when needed.
What Joint and Tendon Conditions Does a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat?
Joint and tendon problems are among the most common reasons patients seek care from a hand surgery specialist. These conditions can develop gradually or appear suddenly after repetitive activity.
Arthritis of the Hand
Arthritis in the hand causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. The two most common types are osteoarthritis — where cartilage wears down over time — and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition. Both can make gripping, pinching, and opening jars extremely difficult.
A specialist in hand surgery offers a range of treatments, from splinting and anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to joint injections and, in advanced cases, joint replacement surgery. The goal is always to restore function and reduce pain.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, happens when the tendon in a finger becomes inflamed and cannot glide smoothly. The finger may lock in a bent position or snap when you try to straighten it. It is more common in people with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment options include corticosteroid injections, splinting, or a minor surgical procedure called a trigger finger release. A hand surgery specialist performs this procedure under local anesthesia, often with a very high success rate.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects two tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Pain and swelling near the base of the thumb are the hallmark symptoms, and the condition is often aggravated by grasping or pinching. New mothers frequently develop this condition due to repeated lifting of an infant.
A specialist in hand surgery treats De Quervain’s tenosynovitis with corticosteroid injections, thumb splints, or surgery to release the tendon sheath when conservative care does not provide relief.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which the connective tissue under the palm gradually thickens and tightens, pulling one or more fingers into a bent position. The ring and little fingers are most often affected. It is not painful for most patients, but it can severely limit hand function over time.
A specialist in hand surgery treats Dupuytren’s contracture through several methods, including collagenase injections (Xiaflex), needle aponeurotomy — a minimally invasive procedure — or surgical fasciectomy to remove the thickened tissue.
What Injuries Does a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat?
Injuries to the hand and wrist are extremely common. Many of these require the advanced care that only a hand surgery specialist can provide.
How Does a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat Fractures?
Broken bones in the hand and wrist need to heal in the correct position. If they do not, permanent stiffness, weakness, or deformity can result. Common fractures include distal radius fractures (a break near the wrist end of the forearm bone), metacarpal fractures (broken bones in the palm), and scaphoid fractures (a small wrist bone that is easy to miss on standard X-rays).
Modern fracture repair often uses small titanium plates and screws that integrate well with natural bone. Some fractures can now be stabilized through very small incisions using specialized instruments.
What Tendon and Ligament Injuries Does a Hand Specialist Treat?
Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow your fingers and wrist to move. Ligaments hold joints together. Both can be partially or fully torn during falls, sports injuries, or accidents.
Common injuries include:
- Flexor tendon injuries — Cuts or tears to the tendons that bend the fingers
- Extensor tendon injuries — Damage to the tendons that straighten the fingers, often called mallet finger
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears — A ligament injury in the wrist that causes pain on the small-finger side
- Scapholunate ligament tears — A wrist ligament injury that, if left untreated, can lead to arthritis
A specialist in hand surgery uses microsurgery techniques — working under high-powered magnification — to repair these delicate structures with precision.
What Other Conditions Does a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat?
Beyond the most common categories, a specialist in hand surgery manages several additional conditions that affect daily function.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that typically develop along tendons or joints of the wrist and hand. They are the most common soft tissue tumors of the hand and are almost always benign. Some resolve on their own, while others cause pain or limit range of motion. A hand surgery specialist can drain the cyst or surgically remove it if necessary.
Nerve Injuries and Finger Replantation
Severe injuries may cut or crush the nerves that supply the hand. Microsurgery has transformed how these injuries are treated. Specialists can now reconnect nerves and blood vessels as small as one millimeter in diameter.
In cases where a finger or part of the hand has been amputated, a specialist in hand surgery can perform replantation surgery — reattaching the digit by reconnecting bones, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. The outcome depends on how quickly the patient receives care.
Hand Deformities and Congenital Conditions
Some patients are born with hand differences, such as extra fingers (polydactyly) or fingers fused together (syndactyly). Others develop deformities as a result of rheumatoid arthritis or nerve damage. A hand surgery specialist can reconstruct or correct these conditions to improve both function and appearance.
When Should You See a Specialist in Hand Surgery?
Not every hand problem requires surgery, but some signs indicate that a specialist should evaluate you sooner rather than later. Seek care if you experience:
- Numbness or tingling that does not go away
- A finger that locks, clicks, or cannot fully straighten
- Wrist or hand pain that limits your daily activities
- A lump or thickening in the palm or wrist
- Weakness in grip strength that is getting worse
- A hand or wrist injury that does not improve within a few weeks
A 2024 meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Surgery confirmed that hand conditions measurably reduce health-related quality of life — reinforcing the need for early treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered the most common questions about our specialists in hand surgery and how our targeted expertise ensures a safer, more precise recovery.
What Is the Difference Between a Hand Surgeon and an Orthopedic Surgeon?
An orthopedic surgeon treats a broad range of musculoskeletal conditions throughout the body. A specialist in hand surgery has completed all of that training, plus an additional fellowship dedicated specifically to the hand, wrist, and forearm.
This extra focus gives a hand surgery specialist more detailed expertise in the complex anatomy of the upper extremity.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Specialist in Hand Surgery?
This depends on your insurance plan. Many patients can schedule directly with a hand surgery specialist without a referral. It is best to contact your insurance provider or our office to confirm before booking.
Can a Specialist in Hand Surgery Treat Wrist Pain?
Yes. A specialist in hand surgery treats the hand, wrist, and forearm. Wrist conditions — including fractures, ligament tears, ganglion cysts, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, and arthritis — fall directly within their scope of care.
What Is Recovery Like After Hand Surgery?
Recovery varies depending on the procedure. Minor procedures like trigger finger release may allow patients to return to light activities within days. More complex surgeries — such as fracture repair or tendon reconstruction — can require weeks of hand therapy and gradual rehabilitation.
A hand surgery specialist will outline a specific recovery plan based on your procedure and goals.
Is Hand Surgery Always Necessary?
No. Many conditions treated by a specialist in hand surgery respond well to non-surgical care, including splinting, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and activity modification.
Surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments have not provided adequate relief or when the condition is severe enough to require structural repair.
How Do I Know If My Symptoms Are Serious Enough to See a Hand Surgery Specialist?
If your hand or wrist symptoms are interfering with daily tasks — such as typing, cooking, driving, or sleeping — a specialist should evaluate you. Persistent numbness, a finger that will not straighten, or a wrist injury that is not healing are all strong reasons to seek expert care.
See a Specialist in Hand Surgery in Bismarck, ND
Hand pain, numbness, or stiffness should never be ignored. The longer certain conditions go untreated, the harder they can be to correct. At The Bone & Joint Center, board-certified specialists in hand surgery evaluate and treat the full range of hand, wrist, and forearm conditions, from carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger to complex fractures and tendon repairs.
The Bone & Joint Center is North Dakota’s premier private orthopedic practice, offering both surgical and non-surgical treatment options tailored to your needs. Whether you need minimally invasive procedures or reconstructive hand surgery, their team has the expertise and technology to support your recovery.
To schedule an appointment, call (701) 946-7400.
