Common injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow include fractures, dislocations, torn ligaments, tendon ruptures or lacerations, and nerve disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as overuse or degenerative conditions like tennis elbow, arthritis, and trigger finger.

Acute injuries, which often result from some kind of trauma, are more likely to require care right away. These include fractures, dislocations, lacerations, crush injuries, and ligament and tendon injuries.

If you’ve suffered a fracture and the bone is protruding through the skin, seek care immediately. If the injured area is bruised and swollen, with limited flexibility, these may be signs of a broken bone or torn ligament, so it’s best to see an orthopedic provider. 

If there are no signs of swelling or bruising and you still have flexibility, it’s less likely you have a structural injury or require immediate medical care. In these cases, observe for two to three weeks to see if the pain resolves. 

For gradual onset injuries like tennis elbow, start with rest, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, or an elastic bandage for two to three weeks. If symptoms persist for several weeks or months, it’s a good idea to see an orthopedic provider.

Yes, delaying treatment after an injury — particularly an acute traumatic injury — can absolutely have a negative effect on your long-term outcome. The body begins to heal after suffering an injury, and this healing can actually work against you if the injury hasn’t been properly diagnosed, set, treated, etc. Seeking care right away and getting an accurate diagnosis from an experienced specialist can reduce risk of long-term complications and help ensure an optimal outcome.

Many injuries or conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow can be treated and resolved through non-surgical means. If these conservative treatments have failed to reduce pain and restore function, however, you may want to discuss surgical intervention with your orthopedic provider.

For some acute injuries, surgery is often the best option right away. If you suffer a fracture that goes into a joint surface and that joint surface is maligned, surgery is recommended, as the maligned joint can wear down cartilage and cause arthritis. Broken bones that are crooked should be straightened out via surgery. Most tendon lacerations or ruptures are indicated for surgery to preserve function. Deep cuts and ligament injuries can also be treated most effectively through surgical intervention.

The Hand, Wrist & Elbow section at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush brings decades of experience, specialized expertise, and a uniquely collaborative approach to every case. The surgeons’ commitment to research and teaching keeps MOR on the cutting edge and attuned to the concerns of patients. 

As a private practice, MOR has more control over every aspect of the care journey, which has allowed us to meticulously design a system from the ground up. Patients can see a doctor more quickly (usually within 24 hours), the experience here is more efficient, and resources like imaging are more readily accessible. From initial evaluation to treatment or surgery to occupational therapy and rehab, MOR provides a full continuum of the highest-quality care.

MOR is home to five of the nation’s leading hand, wrist, and elbow specialists. Our research and innovation have pushed the discipline forward, and other specialists from around the country routinely visit us to observe and learn our techniques. Our hand, wrist, and elbow surgeons have created a culture of excellence and a collaborative environment that essentially gives patients five world-class opinions for the price of one. All of this directly translates to a better patient experience and the best possible outcome after an injury.