When to See a Hand Surgeon

by Viralkumar Patel MD

Hand surgeons are specially trained to treat acute and chronic issues for the hand, wrist and elbow. Here are some of the symptoms that require their attention and delaying evaluation and treatment could cause further harm. Early treatment can improve outcomes.

Numbness, tingling, burning and pain in the hand could be because of nerve related issues. These symptoms can occur all together or separately. They can be occasional or frequent and occur at rest. Weakness of the hand can be a sign of more severe nerve damage.

Open wounds to the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow could have damage to ligaments, tendons, nerves or joints. Even small penetrating wounds can cause damage deeper than the skin. You may have normal movement with a partial injury which requires treatment before it worsens. Open wounds also have a risk of deeper infection developing.

Pain in your hands, wrist, forearm or elbow from a fall, car accident, or other injury, could be a sign of fracture or other injury. A fracture can heal incorrectly if treatment is delayed. Pain occurs with movement or lifting and the bone can be tender to touch.

If your fingers, hands, wrist, forearm or elbow are red, hot, and swollen, you may have an infection to the area. The infection can cause damage to tissues and bone if not treated early.

Any animal or human bite should be evaluated due to risk of infection. Infection can sometimes develop slowly from small wounds such as from animal bites and have little swelling or redness at first. However, the infection can spread into the tissues and bones and cause damage.

Pain in your hands, wrist, forearm or elbow that is not improving and limiting your activities, could be a sign of inflammation (tendonitis) or injury. This pain usually develops over time from overuse and occurs with movements or weight bearing.

When joints in your hand, or wrist or elbow are painful or stiff you may have inflammation, injury or arthritis in these joints. Pain can worsen with activity but also can occur at rest and in the morning. Joints can sometimes swell and limit the motion you normally had.

Masses or bumps on your hand, wrist, forearm or elbow, even if painless, need further evaluation for diagnosis. Masses can increase and decrease in size or stay fixed. Masses can also occur inside of bones or deeper tissue in the hand and cause pain without being visible on the surface.

Locking, catching, or popping in the hand, wrist or elbow could be a sign of inflammation or joint injury.

Deformities of fingers can occur over time, with different medical conditions and can be painless or painful.
Foreign material or foreign objects that enter the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow can damage deeper tissues and need evaluation. Foreign objects from previous injuries can move inside the body and can cause pain later after the wound has healed.

Pressure or crush injuries can also cause significant damage even without a visible wound.

Nail color changes or nail deformities can also be evaluated by a hand surgeon.

Dr. Dhruti Contractor Joins Atlanta Hand Specialist as Newest Board-Certified Surgeon

Dr. Contractor is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon Specializing in Hand Surgery

(May 2, 2023) ATLANTA, GA — Dr. Dhruti Contractor, a board certified orthopaedic surgeon with certification in the sub-specialty of Surgery of the Hand, recently joined Atlanta Hand Specialist as its newest physician.

“I am very excited to join the Atlanta Hand Specialist team and know I will make a real difference in the lives of my patients throughout the Atlanta area,” Dr. Contractor said.

Prior to joining Atlanta Hand Specialist, Dr. Contractor spent 12 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, caring for soldiers, veterans and their families. She helped treat challenging trauma cases with the goal of returning soldiers back to active duty. During her time with the U.S. Army, she earned the Army Commendation Medal, as well as the rank of Major.

Dr. Contractor has also spent time working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is committed to partnering with and empowering patients to help them achieve their maximum function.

“Through my work, I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of care and achieving the unique functional goals of every patient I see,” Dr. Contractor added. “It’s my honor and privilege to serve my patients to the best of my abilities.”

An experienced board-certified surgeon, Dr. Contractor is happy to be back working in the Atlanta area with patients from all over the Metro area. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degree with honors at the University of Georgia and has a master’s in public health from Yale University.

Dr. Contractor earned her medical degree at George Washington University and completed her residency at Eisenhower Army Medical Center. During her time as a resident, Dr. Contractor was also selected as Resident of the Year for her compassionate care and clinical excellence.

Following residency training, Dr. Contractor completed a Hand Surgery fellowship at the prestigious Curtis National Hand Center and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she gained experience with microvascular surgery and level 1 trauma cases.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Contractor, please visit our website, AtlantaHandSpecialist.com, or call (770) 333-7888. Same day appointments are available.

About Atlanta Hand Specialist

The physicians and staff at Atlanta Hand Specialist provide innovative solutions for patients suffering from hand, wrist, finger, arm and elbow pain. No matter a patient’s age, the Atlanta Hand Specialist team can help successfully treat any condition in the arms, hands or fingers to help patients live a full and active lifestyle. Common conditions treated include carpal tunnel syndrome, hand and wrist fractures, arthritis and joint pain, Dupuytren’s Disease and many others.

Atlanta Hand Specialist’s team of board-certified surgeons, led by Dr. Viralkumar Patel, work with patients at eight different office locations in the Metro Atlanta area: Sandy Springs, Smyrna, Marietta, Canton, East Cobb, Douglasville, Lawrenceville and Johns Creek. Visit our website, AtlantaHandSpecialist.com, to learn more or schedule an appointment.

###