Hand & Wrist
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute

Hands and wrists have always been prone to injury due to repetitive motions, sports-related injuries, arthritis and trauma caused by accidents. Since the advent of the personal computer, hand and wrist problems have predictably increased, driving more people to seek relief for everyday pain.

Sutter offers care for the hands and wrists through three surgical specialties: general, plastic and orthopedic surgeons who specialize in treating hand and wrist conditions. Sutter patients can also receive comprehensive therapeutic care delivered by certified hand therapists through Sutter’s five convenient Physical & Hand Therapy outpatient rehabilitation centers.

In addition, Sutter Roseville Medical Center's Sutter Hand Center provides patients a continuum of care, from initial consultation to rehabilitation therapy, under the direction of an orthopedic hand surgery specialist. The center offers complete laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, surgical and nonsurgical treatment and rehabilitation therapy, conveniently located on one campus.

Diagnosis

Patients generally receive a referral to a hand specialist when the condition does not respond to a combination of rest, medication, physical therapy or other noninvasive treatments.

Hand surgeons offer the next level of care, beginning with a thorough examination and often including diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, patients may undergo blood tests to locate any underlying physical conditions and nerve conduction testing to determine the presence and extent of any nerve damage.

Treatment

Once the condition is accurately diagnosed, hand surgeons provide a number of treatment options, beginning with the least invasive approach possible. If the condition does not respond to nonsurgical care, surgery may be required. Surgery techniques available include arthroscopyand open surgeries to remove excess bone or tissue growth; repair, reconstruct or strengthen tendons and ligaments; replace severely damaged joints; and relieve pressure on nerves. Some Sutter hand surgeons also provide microvascular surgery and surgical nerve repair.

Information about diagnosis and treatment of many conditions of the hand and wrist is available in our Health Information Library under the following topics: Arthritis (Osteoarthritis); Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Dupuytren's Disease; Forearm Injuries; Ganglions; Hand, Finger, and Wrist Injuries; Hand, Finger, and Wrist Problems, Noninjury; Office Ergonomics; Osteoporosis; Tendinitis; Tendinopathy; and Tendinosis.

Additional information resources include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS). The American Association of Hand Surgeons also offers patient education on their Web site at www.HandSurgery.org.

Recent Advances

Medical science is constantly developing more effective and less invasive techniques to diagnose and treat hand and wrist conditions. Recent technology advances have enabled surgeons to use minimally invasive surgery techniques, including endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery to speed recovery. Your Sutter surgeon will discuss the various treatments available with you and make recommendations based on your specific condition.

Rehabilitation

Sutter offers patients the opportunity to work with physical therapists who has undergone advanced training and certification in hand therapy. Hand therapists help patients regain mobility and function of hands, wrists and elbows in conjunction with medication and other non-invasive treatments or following surgery. Hand therapists practice in five Sutter Physical & Hand Therapy centers located throughout the area.

Find Out More

Patients generally receive referrals from their primary care doctors to a hand surgery specialist. To self-refer or learn more about surgeons who care for hand and wrist disorders, go to the Physician Directory and select Hand Surgery from the drop-down menu under Physician Specialties. Clicking on a physician's name opens a profile, which offers more insight into the physician's areas of concentration.

Sutter Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers with Hand Therapy

Sutter Physical & Hand Therapy, Auburn
11710 Education Street
Auburn, CA 95602
Phone: (530) 888-4528
Fax: (530) 886-6628  

Sutter Physical & Hand Therapy, Davis
1340 Lake Blvd
Davis, CA 95616
Phone: (530) 753-5338
Fax: (530) 753-4609

Sutter Physical & Hand Therapy, Elk Grove
9280 W. Stockton Blvd, # 116
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Phone: (916) 683-2580
Fax: (916) 683-1579

Sutter Physical and Hand Therapy, Roseville
Three Medical Plaza Drive, #100
Roseville, CA 95661
Phone: (916) 781-5188
Fax: (916) 781-5187

Sutter Physical & Hand Therapy, Sacramento
1201 Alhambra Blvd, # 200
Sacramento, CA 95816
Phone: (916) 731-7900
Fax: (916) 731-7915