Phone: (770) 333-7888
Fax: (770) 333-7889

Get Help for a Nerve Injury at Atlanta Hand Specialist

Visit our office in Smyrna, Georgia, for nerve injury treatment to relieve pain

A nerve injury can be caused by pressure, stretching or cutting. At Atlanta Hand Specialist we treat nerve injuries affecting the hand, wrist, arm and elbow. As with any condition, the type of injury you have experienced will determine your treatment options.

Depending on the type and severity of the nerve injury, you may need prescription or over-the-counter medicines to relief pain. You may also need physical therapy to prevent stiffness. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

If the nerve injury was not caused by cutting, your nerve may be able to heal on its own. Dr. Viralkumar Patel, our board certified general surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of surgery of the hand general surgeon and fellowship-trained hand surgeon, will carefully monitor your nerve to determine if it is healing properly. While the healing process can take up to two years, if the nerve is healing properly, there is a good chance you will not need surgery.

If a nerve has been cut or damaged beyond repair, Dr. Viralkumar Patel will surgically remove the damaged section of the nerve and reconnect the healthy nerve ends (nerve repair) or implant a piece of the nerve from another part of your body (nerve graft) to heal the nerve injury.

Dr. Patel can successfully repair nerve injuries at our Smyrna, Georgia, office, including:

During your consultation for nerve injury treatment in Atlanta, we will also discuss options that can help restore function to the affected muscles. As you recover for your nerve injury, a brace or a splint, electrical stimulator, or physical therapy can help speed recovery and improve function.

To learn more about Atlanta Hand Specialist‘s nerve injury treatment options, please call (770) 333-7888 or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our Smyrna, Georgia, office.

Animal and Human Bites

Whether they are by animal or human, bites are extremely painful and can be quite dangerous. If not properly treated and cared for, animal and human bites can lead to infection. It is important to recognize signs and symptoms of infection and seek treatment right away.

Factors that contribute to infection include:

Animal Bites

Infection is a major concern with animal bites. In the U.S. alone, about 1% of dog bites and 6% of cat bites end in hospitalization. Because cat bites often result in deep puncture wounds that quickly heal over, drainage can become blocked resulting in infection. With proper care and treatment, most animal bite patients completely recover.

Although rabies in domesticated pets is very rare these days, it is an extremely fatal infection that spreads amongst animals in the wild. Your risk of coming in contact with a wild animal infected with rabies is fairly low in the United States, however, if you are bitten by a wild animal report it immediately to your public health department. The department of public health often times will need your assistance locating the animal so they can confine it and test for rabies.

Seek Emergency Treatment if You Experience Any of the Following Symptoms:

Animal Bite Examination

Dr. Patel will examine the wound and ask you about the injury. He will need a complete history of the bite which includes:

If you have not had a booster tetanus shot within the past 10 years, it’s crucial to update your status.

Because tooth fragments can break off in the skin and bone, Dr. Patel may take an X-ray of the site and check for further damage to the bones and joints. Patients who leave infection untreated for too long may experience osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is the spread of the infection to the bone and can also be observed through X-ray.

Red streaks on the forearm can predict lymphangitis or inflammation of the lymphatic channels. Dr. Patel will look for signs of these red streaks and also look for enlarged lymph nodes on the inner side of the elbow.

If the wound proves to be infected, the next step will be to identify the type of bacteria that is causing the infection. It is necessary to know what is causing the infection in order to properly prescribe the most effective antibiotic and treatment.

Animal Bite Treatment

A common bite sites for animals are the hands. These bite require careful cleansing and treatment. Dr. Patel will wash the wound and possibly trim away any dead tissue or damaged skin that could be a source of infection.

The antibiotic you are prescribed depends on:

While some animal bites can be treated with oral medications, others might require the patient to receive antibiotics via IV.

It is vital patients follow-up on a regular basis with the physician until they are cleared of infection in order to fully recover.

Human Bites

Human mouths contain high amounts of bacteria, making infection very probable if your human bite is not treated properly. Early treatment is essential in order to avoid complications and prevent the infection from quickly spreading.

Sometimes human bites are not an obvious bite. For example, during a fistfight, a person’s fist might be driven into another person’s mouth. If the skin is broken, bacteria can settle into the soft tissue. If left untreated, the infection can essentially destroy the knuckle joint. Complications such as this are easily avoidable with early diagnosis, antibiotics and if needed additional treatment such as surgery.

If you recently sustained a bite, don’t wait to make an appointment with Atlanta Hand Specialist. Call (770) 333-7888 today.

 

Pain in the Hands Can be Caused by a Number of Hand Disorders & Injuries

Seek Relief for Pain in the Hands at Atlanta Hand Specialist

The hands are such an important part of the body, allowing people to perform simple tasks. Pain in the hands can make regular daily life more difficult, or even impossible, so it’s important that sufferers of pain in the hands seek treatment.

Pain in the hands can be caused by a wide variety of disorders and common conditions, such as:

At Atlanta Hand Specialist, Dr. Viralkumar Patel and his team of skilled professionals can treat pain in the hands, no matter the cause. Dr. Patel will conduct a thorough evaluation of a patient’s hands to determine the course of treatment necessary to relieve the patient’s pain in the hands. Each treatment for pain in the hands is geared specifically for a patient’s individual needs.

More information about the various treatment options for pain in the hands available to patients at Atlanta Hand Specialist can be found online at AtlantaHandSpecialist.com. Patients with questions may also call (770) 333-7888 for more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss their pain in the hands.

Finger or Hand Amputation

The first question you may ask yourself, is what is amputation? Either due to traumatic injury or surgical operation, amputation is the removal of hurt or deformed body part. An amputation of the finger or hand will result in the complete loss of the appendage.

Amputated fingers can sometimes be reattached depending on the severity of the injury and how quickly the patient can receive surgical care. In many cases, however, this is not an option. Often times, amputation is the answer to a more threatening condition. For example, a patient with a tumor on their finger may undergo amputation if the tumor is malignant.

How is an Amputation Performed?

During surgery, Dr. Patel must safely remove the injured body part, while prepping the amputation site for future prosthetics. The skin, muscles, bones and nerves must be treated very carefully to make sure the patient will be comfortable when the time comes for prosthetics. Dr. Patel will determine the length of the remaining body part based on medial and prosthetic factors.

What Can You Expect After Surgery?

In the first couple weeks following surgery, patients will experience some pain and discomfort. Pain can be managed with medications prescribed by the physician after surgery. Dr. Patel also teaches patients how to care for and bandage the surgical site.

After surgery, most patients are prescribed rehabilitation exercises to build strength and increase range of motion. Touching and moving the skin will help to mobilize and desensitize the area.

Finger and Hand Prosthetic

In today’s times, patients are fortunate enough to be eligible for prosthetics. Prosthetics increase functionality by restoring length to a partially amputated finger or hand. Increasing length of the finger allows patients to hold objects between the thumb and affected finger again. An electric or mechanical hand prosthetic might be given to a patient who has experienced a hand amputation above the wrist.

What Type of Prosthesis Will You Get?

The type of hand or finger prosthesis you will use depends on the location and length or your residual finger or hand. Dr. Patel will take also take your lifestyle needs into consideration. It’s important to communicate with your doctor and prosthetist to let them know which activities are most important. You may also choose not to use a prosthetic.

Call Atlanta Hand Specialist at (770) 333-7888 to schedule your appointment today.

If Your Hand Hurts in Atlanta, Call Dr. Patel

Atlanta Hand Specialist will figure out why your hand hurts in Atlanta and will effectively treat everything from arthritis to wrist fractures to carpal tunnel to get your hand pain under control

If your hand hurts in Atlanta, it’s generally due to some form of arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Arthritis literally translates to “inflamed joint”. A joint is just a matched set of bones connected by cartilage. When this cartilage becomes strained or wears out, it causes the bones to irregularly rub against one another, resulting in chronic pain. Your hand hurts in Atlanta because of:

Your hand hurting in Atlanta might also be symptomatic of carpal tunnel syndrome. Technically, it’s a result of increased pressure on the median (middle) nerve of the wrist. It’s really a pinched nerve at the base of your wrist. This can be caused by a multitude of factors, including fluid retention during pregnancy, but generally any job that requires you keeping the wrist bent in one position for long periods of time (typing) can cause this stiffness. Chronic numbness and tingling may also be a result of carpal tunnel syndrome. Dr. Patel will also carefully examine other reasons for your hand hurting in Atlanta including:

Treatment for any of these afflictions begins with more conservative out-patient methods like prescribing anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications to reduce the pain and swelling. A cortisone injection, might provide temporary relief to serious symptoms but is not a long-term solution

If none of these treatments work, then Dr. Patel will recommend some form of hand surgery. Joint fusion surgery is one effective procedure in which the hand surgeon removes the arthritic tissue and fuses together the two bones that have been displaced by the inflammation. Joint reconstruction is another method where the surface is removed and replaced with an implant or rolled-up tissue to alleviate the pain.

Atlanta Hand Specialist has two fully staffed offices in Smyrna and Douglasville to find out why your hand hurts in Atlanta. To schedule a personal consultation with one of the best hand surgeons in Atlanta call (770)-333-7888 or contact us today.

A Hand Pain Doctor Can Treat a Variety of Upper Extremity Conditions

Find an Experienced Hand Pain Doctor at Atlanta Hand Specialist

A hand pain doctor is a physician who is specially trained in providing healthcare and treatment options for the hands, fingers, wrists, elbows and arms of patients. A skilled hand pain doctor can offer lasing relief for pain throughout the upper extremities.

A hand pain doctor like Dr. Viralkumar Patel, the physician practicing at Atlanta Hand Specialist, can offer skillful treatment for a wide variety of common conditions affecting the upper extremities, such as:

Dr. Patel, expert hand pain doctor, has years of experience working with patients of all ages to eliminate hand pain. No matter the cause of pain, he and his expert staff members are committed to finding the root cause of the pain and treating it in an effective and long-lasting way. Meeting with an expert hand pain doctor is an ideal way for a patient to eliminate pain and improve his or her quality of life.

To schedule an appointment with the hand pain doctor practicing medicine at Atlanta Hand Specialist, simply call (770) 333-7888 or visit the website online today at http://atlantahandspecialist.com for more information.

Hand Pain Can Be Caused by Many Different Hand & Wrist Conditions

Find Expert Treatment for Hand Pain at Atlanta Hand Specialist

Hand pain can range from mild to severe, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks that involve the movement of the hands. Hand pain can be caused by a wide variety of common conditions that affect the hands, wrists, arms and elbows, such as:

No matter the cause, hand pain is often treatable. A highly trained hand surgeon like Dr. Viralkumar Patel at Atlanta Hand Specialist has years of experience with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the hands, wrists, arms and elbows, and can help alleviate hand pain for sufferers.

Treatment options for hand pain can include physical therapy, medication, lifestyle changes and more. The team at Atlanta Hand Specialist values a multidisciplinary approach toward hand pain relief and treatment, allowing them to offer the most comprehensive and quick recovery possible. In cases, surgery is necessary to relieve hand pain. In severe hand pain cases that require surgery, Dr. Patel at Atlanta Hand Specialist can perform expert surgical procedures that alleviate pain and discomfort.

To schedule an appointment to discuss hand pain with the expert physician at Atlanta Hand Specialist, simply call the office at (770) 333-7888 or visit the website online at http://atlantahandspecialist.com.

Surgeons of the Wrist Treat Wrist Fractures, Sprains and More

Atlanta Hand Specialist offers expert wrist and hand surgery and treatment

While all surgeons undergo extensive training, only surgeons of the wrist have highly specialized training in the areas of hand and wrist surgery. Surgeons of the wrist are committed to excellence in the advanced field of wrist surgery.

Surgeons of the wrist can treat a wide variety of painful conditions and disorders, such as:

For all painful conditions of the wrist and hand, surgeons of the wrist are experts at diagnosis, treatment and recovery. When surgeons of the wrist like Dr. Viralkumar Patel at the Atlanta Hand Specialist determine that a patient must undergo surgery, he or she will keep the patient informed and educated about the process and potential outcome.

Surgeons of the wrist only recommend surgery when it is necessary. In many cases, patients can regain full function of the wrist and be pain free shortly after surgery, and in cases with such promising outcomes, surgeons of the wrist may determine that wrist surgery is a patient’s ideal option.

Patients who suffer from wrist injury or disorders can schedule an appointment with the surgeons of the wrist at Atlanta Hand Specialist today to discuss treatment options. To contact Atlanta Hand Specialist, please call (770) 333-7888 or visit the website online at http://atlantahandspecialist.com.

Doctors for Wrist Pain Treat Injuries, Arthritis & Other Disorders

Atlanta Hand Specialist Provides the Highest Quality Wrist Treatment

Doctors for wrist pain in the Atlanta area provide comprehensive treatment for wrist pain cases that are often complex and varied. There are many different causes for wrist pain, some of which are more severe than others. Skilled doctors for wrist pain can diagnose and treat all of these common conditions, such as:

No matter the cause of the pain, expert doctors for wrist pain like Dr. Viralkumar Patel, the board certified general surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of surgery of the hand surgeon practicing at Atlanta Hand Specialist, can provide high quality treatment options.

The kinds of treatment that doctors for wrist pain may recommend after a thorough examination include:

Residents of the Atlanta area who suffer from wrist pain can schedule an appointment at Atlanta Hand Specialist today to consult with expert doctors for wrist pain about treatment options. To schedule an appointment, call (770) 333-7888 or visit us on the web at http://atlantahandspecialist.com.

Wrist Pain Can Be Caused By Injuries, Diseases & More

Find Expert Treatments for Wrist Pain at Atlanta Hand Specialist

Wrist pain can have a number of causes, such as injuries to the wrist or disorders that affect the wrist area. Because pain in the wrist can make performing even the simplest of tasks difficult or even impossible, it’s important that sufferers seek treatments for wrist pain.

Treatments for wrist pain can vary depending on the severity of the underlying cause. Some of the options include:

The right treatments for wrist pain are different for every patient. At Atlanta Hand Specialist, Dr. Viralkumar Patel will conduct a thorough examination of a patient’s wrists, hands and arms before determining which of a number of treatments for wrist pain is the ideal option for his or her specific case. This ensures that the treatments for wrist pain are effective and provide long-lasting relief from pain.

Dr. Patel and his team utilize state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to provide expert treatments for wrist pain to patients of all ages in the Atlanta area.

To learn more about the treatments for wrist pain and other conditions of the upper extremities available at Atlanta Hand Specialist, contact the office today by calling (770) 333-7888 or by visiting the website online at http://atlantahandspecialist.com.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Do you have pressure on your wrists? Many people have symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome without knowing it. Find out how the condition is caused and what treatment you’ll receive from Atlanta Hand Specialists for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

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Wrist & Hand Fracture

If you have shooting pain in your hand or wrist, you may have a wrist or hand fracture. Fracturing, or breaking, the bones in the wrist or hand is extremely easy because of their size and structure. Read on to learn how wrist and hand fractures are treated by Dr. Patel and the Atlanta Hand Specialists.

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Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is caused by stressing the tendons and getting your thumb or finger stuck in the bent position. Inflammation and localized pressure are common signs for trigger finger. Seek treatment from the Atlanta Hand Specialists about trigger finger and your treatment options available.

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Ganglion Cyst

Tender lumps found on the hand or wrist can be a cyst. Ganglion Cysts are commonly filled with fluid, and form because of tendon or joint irritation. Find out more about how Ganglion Cysts are treated by the specialists at Atlanta Hand Specialist.

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More Common Conditions

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