Thumb and finger conditions

Dupuytren’s contracture : Dupuytren's contracture is a condition in which thickened tissue forms under the skin of your palm. This causes your fingers to curl inward, making it hard to straighten them. Flexor tendon injuries : Flexor tendon injuries are often a result of deep cuts that tear your tendon. The injury may make it impossible to bend one or more fingers. Mallet finger : Mallet finger is tendon damage in the tip of your finger that often occurs because of a "direct blow" injury. It leaves you unable to fully extend or straighten your finger. Thumb arthritis (carpometacarpal arthritis) : Thumb arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage at the base of your thumb that leads to pain with gripping and grasping. It causes friction in the joint and may lead to bone spurs. Trigger finger : Trigger finger is inflammation of the tendons in your finger that makes it hard to extend and straighten the finger fully. The finger can feel like it's like it's catching or locking in place.

Hand and wrist conditions

Arthritis : When cartilage breaks down in the joint Carpal tunnel syndrome : Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand and fingers. DeQuervain's tenosynovitis : DeQuervain's tenosynovitis occurs when swelling of the tendons in your wrist creates pain near the base of the thumb, especially when gripping or turning your wrist. Fractures and sprains : Fractures occur when you break a bone, typically due to trauma or osteoporosis. Sprains occur when ligaments stretch or tear. Ganglion cyst of the wrist : A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that forms on the wrist or hand. These cysts are usually painless but may cause discomfort or restrict movement. Nerve compression : Sometimes nerves in the hand are compressed by surrounding tissue. This can cause symptoms such as tingling and numbness. Tendonitis : Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury : A TFCC injury is a tear in the stabilizing cartilage, soft tissue, or ligaments in your wrist. It can lead to pain, clicking sounds, weakness or instability in the wrist when gripping or twisting and is often the result of a fall.

Cubital tunnel syndrome : This condition, also known as ulnar nerve entrapment, occurs when the nerve along the inside of your elbow is compressed. It can lead to numbness, tingling or weakness in your ring and pinky fingers. Elbow bursitis : Bursitis occurs when the bursa sacs surrounding your joints become inflamed. This results in stiffness and swelling in your elbow. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) : Golfer's elbow is like tennis elbow but affects the tendons on the inside of your elbow. The condition causes pain in your wrist and forearm and is often due to repetitive gripping, such as holding a golf club. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Tennis elbow occurs when tendons on the outside of your elbow become damaged, usually from overuse, and is common in sports like tennis. This leads to pain and weakness in your elbow and forearm.

When should I see a hand, wrist and elbow specialist?

If you experience a sudden injury to your hand, wrist or elbow, our specialists can help. You should also schedule an appointment if your symptoms include: Hand weakness Obvious deformity Pain that lasts for two weeks or longer or persists with rest Reduced range of motion Significant swelling or bruising Stiffness Tingling, numbness or loss of feeling in your hands

Will I need occupational therapy if I have surgery?

Yes, this is typically after hand, wrist or elbow surgery. It can help lessen your pain and restore mobility and function. All of this will speed up your recovery so you can get back to doing the things that are important to you.

How long will it take to get an appointment?

You can see a hand, wrist or elbow specialist without the need for a referral, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

Where do you operate?

Mt. Pleasant, James Island Surgery Center, Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.

Will I go home the same day?

Yes, most procedures are same day discharge

Hand, wrist & elbow care | Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Care that gets you back in motion

When pain, weakness or swelling below your shoulder makes everyday activities difficult, you don’t have to wait for relief. We offer fast access to specialists — often within 24 to 48 hours — and use advanced imaging and diagnostics to pinpoint the source of your symptoms.

Most patients improve with nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, injection therapy or bracing and splinting. But if surgery is needed, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way. From diagnosis through rehabilitation, we’ll work together to restore your strength, mobility and confidence — so you can get back to work, daily life and the activities you love.

Returning patients

Schedule an appointment with an established provider using Mychart.

Support for a wide range of hand, wrist and elbow conditions

From everyday aches to more complex conditions, hand, wrist and elbow issues can impact how you move and function.

Dupuytren’s contracture: Dupuytren's contracture is a condition in which thickened tissue forms under the skin of your palm. This causes your fingers to curl inward, making it hard to straighten them.
Flexor tendon injuries: Flexor tendon injuries are often a result of deep cuts that tear your tendon. The injury may make it impossible to bend one or more fingers.
Mallet finger: Mallet finger is tendon damage in the tip of your finger that often occurs because of a "direct blow" injury. It leaves you unable to fully extend or straighten your finger.
Thumb arthritis (carpometacarpal arthritis): Thumb arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage at the base of your thumb that leads to pain with gripping and grasping. It causes friction in the joint and may lead to bone spurs.
Trigger finger: Trigger finger is inflammation of the tendons in your finger that makes it hard to extend and straighten the finger fully. The finger can feel like it's like it's catching or locking in place.

Arthritis: When cartilage breaks down in the joint
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. This can cause numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand and fingers.
DeQuervain's tenosynovitis: DeQuervain's tenosynovitis occurs when swelling of the tendons in your wrist creates pain near the base of the thumb, especially when gripping or turning your wrist.
Fractures and sprains: Fractures occur when you break a bone, typically due to trauma or osteoporosis. Sprains occur when ligaments stretch or tear.
Ganglion cyst of the wrist: A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that forms on the wrist or hand. These cysts are usually painless but may cause discomfort or restrict movement.
Nerve compression: Sometimes nerves in the hand are compressed by surrounding tissue. This can cause symptoms such as tingling and numbness.
Tendonitis: Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury: A TFCC injury is a tear in the stabilizing cartilage, soft tissue, or ligaments in your wrist. It can lead to pain, clicking sounds, weakness or instability in the wrist when gripping or twisting and is often the result of a fall.

Cubital tunnel syndrome: This condition, also known as ulnar nerve entrapment, occurs when the nerve along the inside of your elbow is compressed. It can lead to numbness, tingling or weakness in your ring and pinky fingers.
Elbow bursitis: Bursitis occurs when the bursa sacs surrounding your joints become inflamed. This results in stiffness and swelling in your elbow.
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): Golfer's elbow is like tennis elbow but affects the tendons on the inside of your elbow. The condition causes pain in your wrist and forearm and is often due to repetitive gripping, such as holding a golf club.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Tennis elbow occurs when tendons on the outside of your elbow become damaged, usually from overuse, and is common in sports like tennis. This leads to pain and weakness in your elbow and forearm.

Hand, wrist and elbow injury treatments

Learn more about the treatments we offer for hand, wrist and elbow injuries.

We develop a treatment plan just for you. The goal is to find the easiest path to restore your range of motion and lessen your discomfort. In most cases, we first recommend nonsurgical options, such as:

Custom splints and braces to stabilize affected body parts and prevent them from moving. This may lessen your discomfort and promote healing.
Injection therapy to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief
Corticosteroid injections reduce inflammation.
Hyaluronic acid injections lubricate and cushion joints affected by arthritis.
Medication is often a first-line treatment to lessen pain. Some are oral, such as anti-inflammatory medications others are applied to your skin.
Physical and occupational therapy involves exercises and other techniques to improve your strength and range of motion. They can also show you new ways to do activities that will be easier and more comfortable for you.

When nonsurgical treatments aren’t working, surgery and rehabilitation can be effective. Our highly skilled team offers:

Wrist arthroscopy to lessen pain and address joint stiffness.
Fracture fixation rebuild and stabilize bones.
Nerve decompression and to relieve pressure on trapped nerves caused by ligaments (tissue that connects bones) or other tissue, and repair damaged tendons (tissue that connects muscles to bones).
Tendon repair to repair lacerations to the tendons

After injury or surgery, our certified hand therapists provide education, targeted exercises and other techniques to support your recovery, including:

Individualized therapy plans tailored to your unique needs. These plans will cover your recovery goals and how we plan to achieve them.
Pain management to help you heal and regain range of motion. This is important throughout your recovery.
Return-to-work and sports readiness assessments to ensure it’s safe for you to return to activities. Returning too soon may set back your recovery.
Strength and flexibility training to help you regain your strength and prevent chronic pain and stiffness.

Your hand, wrist and elbow team

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons and certified physician assistants have the expertise and compassion to put you on the right path to recovery.

Accepting New Patients
William Muirhead II, MD

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery

4.8 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
Morgan Canaday, PAC

Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

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Accepting New Patients
Sawyer Langston, PAC

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery

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Accepting New Patients
Jefferson Rabe, PAC

Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine

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Accepting New Patients
Rebekah Henson, PAC

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

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Accepting New Patients
Kimberly Young, MD

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery

4.8 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
Brian Cash, MD

Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery

4.8 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
G. Ryan Aprill, PAC

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery

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Accepting New Patients
David Bourque, PAC

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery

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Accepting New Patients
Kathy McGurk, MD

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

4.8 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
R. Christopher Brooker, MD

Orthopedic Surgery, Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Wrist Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery

4.8 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
Brett Young, MD

Shoulder Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

4.9 of 5 stars

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Accepting New Patients
Patterson Owings, MD

Hand Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery
Accepting New Patients
Jon DeVries, MD

Shoulder and Elbow Orthopedic Surgery, Hand Surgery

Hand, wrist and elbow care locations

Getting the care you need shouldn’t be a challenge. With locations throughout the greater Charleston area, it’s easy to reach our doctors, therapists and outpatient surgery centers from home or work.

Related services & specialties

Orthopedic care

Advanced orthopedic care, surgery and rehabilitation services tailored to you.
Foot & ankle treatment

Nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help you restore comfort and mobility.
Hip & knee joint replacement

Find joint replacement options to help ease your pain and regain movement and function.
Osteoporosis & fracture

Bone density testing, fracture prevention and coordinated care to protect mobility and strength.
Shoulder treatments

Advanced shoulder care to restore strength, stability and movement.
Durable medical equipment

Convenient access to durable medical equipment to help you manage an orthopedic condition or recover after injury or surgery.
Sports medicine

Helping active individuals of all levels recover safely and return to exercise stronger.

Refer a patient

We’re here to support you and your patients with expert hand, wrist and elbow care. Submit referrals through Epic by searching “Ref Ortho” and selecting “RSFPP Ambulatory Referral to Ortho,” fax (843) 402-1099 or call (844) 975-6683. If you’re not on Epic, sign up for EpicCare Link. Our physician liaison team is also available to assist.

Start a referral