CHICAGO’S LEADING HAND AND WRIST DOCTOR
Hand & Wrist
Dr. Mark Yaffe is a highly skilled orthopedic specialist with subspecialty focus in treating hand and wrist conditions. With a focus on minimally-invasive and non-invasive treatment approaches, he strives to provide care that gets patients back to their normal lifestyle as quickly and safely as possible.
Whether you’re dealing with hand and wrist pain from chronic conditions or injuries, Dr. Yaffe is committed to offering comprehensive diagnosis and treatments that address your unique needs. With advanced training in the latest techniques, including a single-incision technique for base of thumb arthritis surgery and minimally invasive procedures like Tenex, he offers a range of state-of-the-art treatment options tailored to each patient.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that helps you achieve your goals. If you’re ready to start finding relief with the top orthopedic doctor Elk Grove Village has to offer, request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Hand & Wrist Fractures, Surgery & Carpal Tunnel
Treatments for Hand & Wrist Injuries
The hand and wrist are complex structures that are susceptible to a variety of orthopedic conditions, such as:
- Carpal tunnel: Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand caused by compression of nerves in the wrist. Treatment options include:
- Minimally invasive carpal tunnel release, performed in-office using local anesthesia and a small incision. This leads to minimal post-operative pain and a quicker return to activities.
- Broken Bones: Fractures of the hand that can affect hand function and cause pain. Treatment options include minimally invasive procedures like temporary pinning and micro screw fixation, which can promote healing while avoiding the need for large incisions.
- Trigger Finger: Painful “locking” of one or more fingers due to inflammation and thickening of tendons. Treatment options include minimally invasive release, which can be performed with local anesthesia and a small incision.
- Distal Radius Fractures: Repairs broken forearm bones near the wrist using low-profile plates and screws through small incisions to improve healing and minimize scarring.
- Acute, traumatic fractures: Broken bones due to injury. Treatment depends upon the nature of the fracture and may include conservative management or surgical intervention. Dr. Mark Yaffe offers a full array of treatment options depending on each patient's unique needs.
- If you’ve been injured, Dr. Yaffe can see you quickly, and even emergently if needed. Dr. Yaffe uses splints instead of casts whenever possible, and expeditious surgical care in-office when needed.
YOUR TOP ORTHOPEDIC HAND SURGEON IN THE CHICAGO METRO AREA
Minimally-Invasive Hand Pain Treatment
The hand and wrist are complex joints that can be subject to degenerative conditions that limit their function. Dr. Mark Yaffe offers a range of orthopedic treatments designed to quickly restore mobility and reduce pain. These include:
- Mini carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, mass excisions: Performed with local numbing medication (local anesthesia), which makes sedation with an anesthesiologist unnecessary, speeds recovery time, and reduces procedure costs.
- CMC Arthroplasty: A single-incision technique with no need to cut or harvest tendon, leading to quicker recovery times and less postoperative pain.
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery: Aimed at reducing recovery time by using techniques specifically developed for the treatment of hand and wrist injuries. The goal is to return to work and sports as soon as possible.
- Joint Replacement: By replacing damaged cartilage, bone, ligaments and tendons in the hand or wrist joint, Dr. Yaffe is able to restore function and reduce the impact of degenerative conditions.
In many cases, non-surgical treatment is all that is required, including injections for arthritis in hands and wrists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common causes of hand and wrist pain?
Hand and wrist pain can stem from various conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, fractures, and overuse injuries. Dr. Yaffe specializes in diagnosing and treating these issues using both conservative and surgical approaches.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for hand and wrist conditions?
Minimally invasive surgery involves smaller incisions, leading to reduced recovery times, less postoperative pain, and minimal scarring. Dr. Yaffe utilizes these techniques to help patients return to their normal activities as soon as possible.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome and how is it treated?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to numbness, tingling, and pain. Treatment options include splinting, physical therapy, and minimally invasive carpal tunnel release surgery, which Dr. Yaffe performs using local anesthesia for a quicker recovery.
What conservative treatments are available for hand and wrist pain?
Non-surgical treatments include rest, bracing, physical therapy, and injections for conditions like arthritis. These options are aimed at relieving pain and restoring function without surgery.
Will I need to be “put under” during my hand surgery?
Probably not. Dr. Yaffe prefers to use local anesthesia for most finger and hand cases, including rreatment for trigger finger, carpal tunnel release, finger ganglion cysts, and more. Local anesthesia is less invasive and less expensive for patients than general anesthesia, and Dr. Yaffe is able to provide excellent results with this approach.
How does Dr. Yaffe’s thumb joint replacement surgery work?
A Thumb CMC Arthroplasty with suture suspension is an outpatient procedure that takes 45 minutes and is usually performed by Dr. Yaffe at Schaumburg Surgery Center(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab). Dr. Yaffe’s technique involves a single incision without the need to cut any tendon structures, which can improve recovery time and postoperative discomfort. This is unique from other techniques, as it involves removal of the arthritic trapezium bone and the transfer of an adjacent tendon slip (APL) to help support the base of the thumb. This technique has been found to provide the most reproducible and reliable long-term outcomes of available thumb arthritis procedures and is generally considered the “gold standard” for treatment.
What can I expect during my recovery from thumb CMC arthroplasty?
Following surgery, the thumb is padded and placed in a splint to protect the thumb and promote healing. Light activities of daily life in the splint can be started immediately after surgery, with restrictions on heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks after surgery until the splint is discontinued. Dr. Yaffe’s patients will work with Certified Hand Therapists to achieve their goals of regaining range of motion and strength, although many patients require minimal therapy postoperatively
How can I get started with the best hand and wrist specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to recovery. Just use our simple online appointment request tool.
Visit the Leading Hand & Wrist Specialist in Chicagoland
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.