Hand and Wrist

Orthopedics

Healthy hands, fingers and wrists are essential for the activities that matter to you. You deserve pain-free movement. Look to us if symptoms are slowing you down. Our program is home to some of the region’s most respected hand and wrist specialists. We’ll help you get back to doing what you love. 

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Hand and wrist care: Why choose us?

BJC HealthCare works with Washington University physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. You deserve extraordinary hand and wrist care. And you’ll find it in clinics throughout the region. We are your partner in health, offering all the experts, tests and treatments you need to get better. 

Highlights of our program include:  

  • Expertise: Orthopedists who completed the highest level of training through hand surgery fellowships guide your care. They use the latest, research-based methods to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the hands, fingers and wrists.  
  • Compassion: Any hand, wrist or finger symptoms that bother you matter to us. Even if the issue is difficult to describe or previous treatments have failed, you can count on us to help.  
  • Non-surgical remedies: Our team includes physical medicine doctors and certified hand therapists who help many people get relief without surgery. Care may involve custom splints or personalized therapy regimens that provide lasting relief. Explore physical medicine and rehabilitation.  
  • Easy access: Some hand and wrist specialists offer virtual visits. They are also available in after-hours orthopedic injury clinics. We see patients ages 5 and older with concerns such as sprains, strains and fractures. 
Hand and wrist conditions we treat

When it comes to hand and wrist problems, our orthopedic specialists are available to provide a comprehensive evaluation and customized treatment plan. The team of physicians, therapists and nurses has experience and expertise in a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
    This condition occurs when there is inflammation and stiffness. It may be due to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis.
  • Bone fractures
    Fractures are broken bones. There are many types, like stress fractures, which are small. Open fractures can break the bone in two, causing it to poke through the skin's surface.
  • Brachial plexus injury
    Damage to the nerve bundle supplying movement and sensation to the arm occurs when something forcefully pulls the arm, like in a motorcycle accident.
  • Congenital hand anomalies
    Hand and finger differences present at birth include extra fingers, fused fingers and hands that haven't developed fully.
  • De Quervain tenosynovitis
    This condition occurs when there is ongoing inflammation in the tendons at the base of your thumb.
  • Ganglion cyst of the wrist
    This fluid-filled sac develops in the wrist. It often goes away without treatment.
  • Nerve entrapment syndrome
    Nearby structures trap a nerve in this group of conditions, including cubital tunnel syndrome.
  • Sports injuries
    These injuries, such as sprains, strains, bursitis or tendonitis, occur in active people.
  • Trauma to the hand or wrist
    Orthopedic emergencies may affect the fingers, hands and wrists, including partial or full amputations and crush injuries.
  • Work injuries
    Injuries may occur in the workplace, including deep cuts (lacerations), crushes, fractures, sprains and strains.
Related conditions
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Congenital hand anomalies
  • Work injuries
  • Bone fractures
Non-surgical hand and wrist treatments

Treatments often start with non-surgical therapies or medications. We take time to get to know you and what’s causing your symptoms, enabling us to tailor care to your needs.  

Non-surgical treatments for hand and wrist issues include: 

  • Hand therapy
    Therapists specializing in upper extremity issues guide you through treatments, including special exercises to ease discomfort.
  • Acupuncture
    Physical medicine doctors (physiatrists) insert tiny needles into specific areas at different depths to unlock the body's healing energy.
  • Custom splints and adaptive devices
    These devices fit the unique shape of your body. They hold the affected area in a position that provides support and relieves strain.
  • Occupational therapy
    We help you accomplish daily tasks using postures, techniques and devices that are gentler on your body.
Surgical hand and wrist treatments

The team of highly skilled orthopedic surgeons employs state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques. We often use minimally invasive procedures requiring small incisions, leading to quicker recovery. Our experience performing a high volume of procedures leads to outstanding results — even for complex conditions.

Common types of hand and wrist surgery performed by our orthopedic specialists include: 

  • Brachial plexus repair
    Hand and Wrist, Hip and Knee
  • Fixation for bone fractures
    Surgeons implant plates, screws or pins to stabilize broken bones.
  • Nerve repair
    Surgeons repair damaged or nonfunctioning nerves using a variety of techniques, such as transferring healthy tissue from other areas of the body.
  • Nerve decompression
    Surgery may be necessary to remove tissue pressing on a nerve if conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome don't respond to medical therapy.
  • Reconstruction
    Surgeons restore your hand's function and enhance its hand. It may be necessary if there is a congenital anomaly or severe traumatic injury.
  • Tendon repair
    We fix torn tendons by reattaching the healthy ends. Repair also may involve fastening a tendon that's come loose to nearby muscle or bone.
Hand and Wrist News & Resources

Schedule your appointment

Call  (314) 362-9355  or  (800) 392-0936  to schedule your appointment with a specialist.

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