Hand Center

Why St Cloud Orthopedics?

Several of our orthopedic surgeons have received additional training in treating conditions affecting the hand, including trauma, fractures, arthritis, ligament dysfunction, and tendon or nerve injuries. Our comprehensive approach to the evaluation and treatment of hand conditions has been proven through more than 50 years of service in the Saint Cloud area.

Using cutting edge surgical skills and technology, our goal is to restore optimal use of the hand. This fits well with St Cloud Orthopedic’s mission, in providing excellent, patient-centered and comprehensive care for Central Minnesota.

Specialized Physicians

Physicians specializing in hand surgery and care are ready to help offer you the treatment you need if your hands require medical attention.

Hand surgeons offer you the experience and concentrated knowledge you need, rather than needing several doctors to treat each issue. Hand surgeons are equipped to care for complex problems of the hand and wrist both operative and non-operative.

What We Treat...

Hand Problems

• Arthritis of the Hand
• Basal Joint Arthritis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Hand Fractures
• Nerve Injuries
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Crush injuries
• Soft tissue injuries (including: sprains, strains, contusions)
• Amputations
• Peripheral nerve lesions
• Neurological impairment (CVA, head injury)
• Rheumatoid Disease
• Tennis Elbow
• Trigger Finger
• Wrist Sprains

Common Hand Problems

We help patients with:

• Diseases or injuries of the bones, joints, nerves, tendons
• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Work-Related Injuries

Some common hand problems are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fracture, or
other use injuries.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joint lining. This form of arthritis often causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. In some cases, it can enter and damage the bone and cartilage.

Osteoarthritis is the breaking down of the joint’s cartilage, or the moving parts of the joints. When occuring in the hand, it most often affects small the joints of the fingers and the base joint of the thumb.

Understand the Procedure

Learning what to expect before and after your hand treatment can greatly reduce anxiety and stress relating to the treatment. The more you know and understand about what you’ll be going through, the more capable you’ll be in facing the challenges and changes that the treatment will have on your day-to-day life. Ask questions. Talk through the issues or concerns you may have. Speak to your doctor and get a clear understanding of the process.

For starters, you may want to find out about some of the following:

• why this particular treatment is being recommended,
• how the procedure is done,
• the alternatives to this treatment, if any,
• rehabilitation and pain management

Evaluation and Treatment

Our team of certified hand therapists work with the patient to develop a personal treatment plan and set goals to meet the therapeutic needs of the patient. The patient’s personal lifestyle, goals, and occupation are all taken into consideration when setting up their treatment program.
We want the patient to be able to return to work and their normal lifestyle as quickly as possible.

Based on our assessments, treatment may include (but is not limited to):

• Wound/Scar management
• Pain control
• Edema control
• Sensory re-education
• Therapeutic exercises
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Strengthening
• Dexterity training
• Work simulation
• Brace fabrication and management

Surgical/Other Techniques

Carpal Tunnel Surgery. St Cloud Orthopedics uses modified open-release surgery.
Wrist arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat problems inside the joint. It requires fewer and smaller incisions, enables the surgeon to give a more accurate diagnosis and correct problems, and usually allows faster recovery than normal surgery.

We also offer other specialized surgical and non-surgical techniques including:

• Fracture repair
• Hand/finger joint replacement
• Nerve repair
• Tendon repair