ComprEhensive Nerve Injury care | Expert Hand and Wrist Specialists in San Antonio
Nerve injuries to the upper extremity refer to damage or trauma that affects the nerves running through the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand. These nerves control upper-limb movement, sensation, and function. Nerve injuries can range from mild irritation to complete severance. Various factors can lead to such injuries, including accidents, repetitive strain, and medical conditions.
Common Nerves Affected by Injuries:
Median Nerve - Running from the forearm to the hand, this nerve controls sensations in the palm, thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Additionally, it controls some muscles that allow thumb movement.
Ulnar Nerve - This nerve runs along the inside of the arm and controls sensation in the little finger and part of the ring finger. Additionally, it controls some fine motor movements in the hands.
Radial Nerve - This nerve runs down the back of the arm and controls sensation in the wrist and hand. It also enables the wrist and fingers to extend.
Brachial Plexus - This is a network of nerves originating from the spinal cord in the neck and traveling through the shoulder. It controls the motor and sensory functions of the arm and hand.
Digital Nerves - These are small nerves that transmit sensation to the fingertips to allow for delicate touch and sensory perception.
Understanding Median, Ulnar, and Radial Nerve Injuries
Symptoms indicating Hand and Wrist Nerve Injuries
Nerve injuries in the hand and wrist can cause a variety of symptoms, often affecting daily activities such as gripping, writing, or even sensing temperature changes. Recognizing these symptoms early can help prevent further damage and improve treatment outcomes.
Common symptoms include:
Numbness or Tingling - A persistent sensation of numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" in the fingers or hand may indicate nerve compression or damage. The specific fingers affected often point to which nerve is involved.
Muscle Weakness - Nerve injuries can lead to muscle weakness, affecting grip strength, dexterity, and hand coordination. Depending on the nerve affected, symptoms may include:
Pain or Burning Sensation - Nerve irritation or compression may cause sharp, shooting pains or a burning sensation.
Loss of Coordination or Fine Motor Skills - Patients with median nerve injuries may struggle with fine motor tasks like buttoning a shirt or writing. Ulnar nerve involvement can affect precise finger movements, making activities like playing an instrument or typing difficult. In severe cases, muscle atrophy (shrinkage) may develop due to prolonged nerve damage.
Temperature or Sensory Changes - Some nerve injuries cause reduced sensation, making it harder to feel hot or cold temperatures. In some cases, extreme sensitivity (hyperesthesia) may develop, making even light touch painful.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent further nerve damage. At the Hand Center of San Antonio, our expert hand and wrist specialists offer advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans to restore function and relieve pain.
Don’t wait—schedule a consultation today to receive expert nerve injury care in San Antonio!
Our specialized Nerve Injury Treatments
Nerve injuries in the hand, wrist, and forearm can significantly impact mobility, strength, and overall function. At Hand Center of San Antonio, our expert hand and wrist specialists provide advanced nerve injury treatments designed to restore movement, reduce pain, and prevent long-term complications.
Our team of hand specialists offers a range of treatments tailored to your condition, including:
Non-Surgical Treatments – Bracing, physical therapy, and medications to relieve symptoms and promote healing.
Minimally Invasive Procedures – Nerve decompression surgery to relieve pressure and restore normal nerve function.
Nerve Repair & Reconstruction – Microsurgical techniques to repair severed or damaged nerves.
Peripheral Nerve Grafting & Transfers – Re-routing healthy nerves to restore movement and sensation.
At the Hand Center of San Antonio, we utilize cutting-edge technology and proven treatment methods to provide personalized nerve injury care. If you’re experiencing hand or wrist pain, numbness, or weakness, schedule an appointment today with our San Antonio nerve injury experts to explore the best treatment options for you.
why come to The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio for your nerve injuries?
Our hand specialists in San Antonio are experienced in diagnosing and treating various nerve injuries, ensuring optimal recovery for our patients. When you visit us at The Hand and Upper Extremity Center of San Antonio, you will find a fine-tuned team ready to take care of you. Your physicians have over 100 years of collective experience and represent multiple generations and training backgrounds. In addition to your surgeons, you may meet one of our hand surgery fellows. Each fellow is a fully trained orthopaedic or plastic surgeon who has completed 5 to 7 years of surgical training after graduation from medical school and has chosen to spend an additional year in training to study hand surgery. In addition to the physicians, you will meet various staff members. From the front desk staff and Medical Assistants (MA’s) to the x-ray and cast technicians, each is committed to taking care of you.
Meet Our Physicians
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David P. Green, M.D.
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Mark Bagg, M.D.
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David W. Person, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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Ramesh C. Srinivasan, M.D.
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Kunj Desai, M.D., F.A.C.S.
OTHER HAND & WRIST RELATED ISSUES WE CAN HELP WITH
DeQuervain’s Tendinitis
Dupuytren’s Disease
Flexor Tendon Laceration
check out our latest blog posts regarding Hand & Wrist Injuries
Did you know we offer in-house therapy?
Hand therapy is a merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations.
