Overview
An injury, such as a cut or tear, stretching, pulling or too much pressure on your nerves, can damage the tendons or nerves in your hand and wrist.
Joint and Spine
Tendon or Nerve Injury of the Hand
When you have a hand injury that involves nerves or tendons, our hand and wrist specialists are here to provide the expert diagnosis, care and treatment you need.
Diagnosing Nerve or Tendon Injuries of the Hand
Injuries can range from mild to serious, but a severe injury or a cut to a tendon or nerve may result in loss of movement in your hand or wrist.
Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms of a tendon or nerve injury in your hand or wrist vary, but may include:
- Burning sensation
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness
- Pain
- Sudden loss of motion
- Twitching
- Weakness
Diagnosis
To determine the extent of any nerve or tendon damage, your doctor may recommend one of the following tests:
- Physical exam—we can diagnose most tendon or nerve injuries based on your symptoms and a physical exam.
- Electromyography (EMG)—records nerve activity. Absent or low activity can be a sign of nerve injury.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—provides detailed images of the structures of your hand and wrist.
Treatments for Nerve or Tendon Injuries of the Hand
We recommend treatment for tendon or nerve injuries tailored to the extent of the injury and degree of nerve damage. Our experts will create a specialized treatment plan to help your hand or wrist feel and work better.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Nerves often repair themselves when the nerve damage is minor. If the injury is more severe, it may take weeks or months for the nerves to heal.
Treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medicines—for pain relief.
- Rest—limited movement can help your hand and wrist heal.
Surgical Treatments
We may recommend surgery for severe injuries to help the nerves or tendons heal correctly.
