Partners with Clarian Human Motion
What to expect at your office visit
Jump to fingers
Jump to wrist
Jump to elbow
Fingers
The doctor will perform a physical examination, which will include looking at hand and finger movement.
You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:
• Location
o What part of the finger is affected?
o Is it on both hands?
o Is it every finger?
o Which finger?
o Is it only a particular joint? Which joint?
• Time pattern
o When did the finger pain first start?
o How long has it lasted?
o Is the pain continuous or does it come and go?
• Quality
o Is the pain burning?
o Is the pain crushing?
o Is the pain sharp?
• Medical history
o Have you been injured recently?
o What other symptoms do you have?
An x-ray of the hand may be recommended.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Wrist
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include an examination of the wrists and hands, and ask questions such as the following:
• When did the wrist pain begin?
• Did it occur suddenly and severely or gradually and mildly?
• Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
• Is the pain worse in the morning or at night?
• Does it go away without self care?
• Is the pain sharp, throbbing, or burning? Is there numbness or tingling in any of your fingers?
• Where exactly is the pain? Is it in both wrists? Does it extend into the fingers?
• Does the pain occur only with certain movements or positions?
• Does the pain prevent normal use of the wrist, hand, or arm?
• Is the pain worse with movement?
• What helps it? Is it better with immobilization to prevent movement? Does splinting the wrist or applying heat help?
• Do any medications help?
• Is there joint pain elsewhere?
• Is there pain elsewhere, such as the neck?
• What medications are you taking?
• Have you had any recent injuries or illnesses?
• Are you involved in activities requiring repetitious hand and wrist movements, such as sewing, knitting, computer keyboard use?
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include an x-ray. If your doctor suspects that you have an infection, gout, or pseudogout, he or she may draw fluid from from the joint to examine under a
microscope.
Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Injection with a steroid medication may be performed. Surgery or medications may be needed to treat some conditions.
Elbow
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a thorough examination of the elbow, and ask questions such as:
• Are both elbows affected?
• Does the pain shift from the elbow to other joints?
• Is the pain over the outside bony prominence of the elbow?
• Did the pain begin suddenly and severely?
• Did the pain begin slowly and mildly and then get worse?
• Is the pain resolving spontaneously?
• Did the pain begin following an injury?
For chronic tennis elbow, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever and a corticosteroid injection into the painful area. Usually no more than 3 such injections are performed. Surgery is a last
resort.
For arthritis, physical therapy and analgesics may help. For infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
For bursitis, your doctor may need to drain fluid.
Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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