At Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we are focused on a better you. Our specialty-trained hand doctors and staff are dedicated to providing specialized hand care to patients in Truckee, Incline Village, and the surrounding communities.

Hand problems and joint pain, often due to common hand and wrist conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, can seriously impact a person’s daily life.

When a person is coping with these kinds of hand and/or wrist issues, a hand doctor can offer an unparalleled level of knowledge and expertise that ultimately can result in reduced and sometimes eliminated pain for a patient.

These specialists have gone beyond basic medical training to gain a depth of knowledge specifically in the hand. Many hand doctors are also hand surgeons and can offer a range of hand surgeries, such as tendon or nerve repair, carpal tunnel release, or other specialized orthopedic hand surgeries.

After examining the hand, wrist, and other parts of the individual's upper extremity if needed, the doctor will talk to the patient about the diagnosis and how the injury or condition may best be treated and what the treatment plan may involve.

Surgery can help with many of these issues, such as trigger finger. Other times, a treatment that does not require hand surgery is highly effective. The specialty-trained hand doctor or surgeon will know the best treatment for that patient, whether it is hand surgery, wrist surgery, or a nonsurgical treatment option.

What your Doctor needs to know

At your appointment, you’ll have an opportunity to describe your hand problems or injury to your doctor or hand surgeon. Here are some issues you may be noticing that you’ll want to share with your doctor:

  • Fingers locked in a curled position
  • Lump on the palm of the hand
  • Pins and needles sensation
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Weak grip
  • Wrist pain that extends into the hand

Common hand and wrist issues

Your doctor may diagnose you with one of the following hand disorders, wrist injuries, or upper extremity conditions:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: Causes swelling around the wrist tendons, which puts pressure on the median nerve and causes hand and wrist pain. Surgery can be performed to release pressure on this nerve.
  • De Quervain’s tendinosis: Caused by swollen tendons, which puts pressure on the thumb base.
  • Dupuytren's contracture: A thickening of the tissue under the palm and finger skin. Sometimes surgery is used to remove or release the thick bands. 
  • Trigger finger: Causes the thumb or fingers to catch when attempting to straighten them, then they will pop out straight.

Once you are diagnosed, your doctor will first consider all nonsurgical treatment options, such as physical therapy or the use of a splint, before recommending surgery. However, if these conservative treatments are ineffective, they will explain why and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. If hand surgery is required, our surgeons have extensive training in the latest hand and wrist surgical procedures.

When you have hand pain or wrist pain, it can take a toll on your whole life. Our hand specialists are not only medical experts, but they’re also knowledgeable professionals who want to do more than just treat your hand or wrist; they want to help you get back to what you love. To schedule an appointment, call (530) 587-7461 or make an appointment request.

Exceptional care begins at Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

At Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team of dedicated orthopedic experts is here for you. As specialty-trained and knowledgeable hand doctors and surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Dodd, Dr. Jonathan Hagen, Dr. Andrew Ringnes, and Dr. Nina Winans are backed by the latest state-of-the-art technology and have extensive experience to bring you the very best in orthopedic care. Our hand doctors have the surgical and nonsurgical expertise you need to reach your goals.

If you have a hand injury or condition, call (530) 587-7461 to schedule an appointment with one of our expert hand doctors or surgeons or make an appointment request. We offer three convenient locations in Truckee, California, and Incline Village, Nevada: Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Tahoe Forest Sports Medicine & Therapy Services, and the Incline Village Community Hospital.