Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder

Your shoulders, elbows, hands, and wrists (upper extremities) are complex structures. Pain in these areas requires expert care, and you’ll find it at Trinity Health Michigan. Our team includes highly skilled orthopedic physicians specializing in upper extremity injuries and disorders.

We offer advanced care, including hand therapy and minimally invasive procedures that are gentler on your body. Our experts have been caring for people in Southeast and West Michigan for decades, and we can help you, too.

Upper Extremity Pain Care at Trinity Health Michigan: Why Choose Us?

At Trinity Health Michigan, you receive care from board-certified orthopedists specializing in upper extremity injuries and issues. All physicians passed rigorous exams and stay current on the latest research. Many specialists have advanced training through fellowships. This expertise leads to appropriate care so that you can achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our orthopedists use the latest techniques to treat hand, wrist, shoulder, and elbow pain. Many patients get better with nonsurgical care, including hand therapy and custom braces. If surgery is necessary, we often use minimally invasive techniques that involve smaller incisions and help you recover quickly.

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

Trinity Health Michigan brings nationally recognized shoulder replacement surgery to Southeast and West Michigan. This procedure replaces a worn-out shoulder joint with an artificial one. We perform a high volume of these surgeries each year. Our expertise leads to safe, precise care and timely recovery. Explore joint replacement surgery.

Other Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Pain Treatments

Our orthopedic specialists use a variety of therapies to treat upper extremity pain. We recommend the best treatments for your diagnosis and recovery goals.

Personalized treatments for hand, shoulder, elbow, and wrist pain may include:

Pain Management

For some sports injuries, you may feel better with rest and over-the-counter medications. If symptoms are severe or long-lasting (chronic), we can recommend additional pain management therapies. Your care may include steroid injections or pain patches. These treatments make it easier to move the affected area, allowing you to be active during your recovery.

Bracing and Splints

We offer custom braces and splints that hold your hand, wrist or elbow in a specific position. We tailor the devices to the unique shape of your upper extremity and specifications from your doctor. Wearing a brace or splint promotes healing while helping you safely perform daily activities. These are some of the many nonsurgical orthopedic treatments we offer.

Hand Therapy

Trinity Health Michigan is home to certified hand therapists focusing exclusively on upper extremity conditions. This specialty is known as hand therapy but also includes specialized care for wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

Therapists guide you through exercises that stretch and strengthen the affected area. We also teach you safe methods for performing daily activities to protect your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder while it heals. Find out more about physical therapy.

Sports Injury Care

Trinity Health Michigan delivers exceptional upper extremity sports injury care. You have access to specialized assessments, advanced therapies and services that improve athletic performance. Sports medicine physicians coordinate the services you need and help you achieve the best possible results. Get more information about how we treat sports injuries.

Surgery and Arthroscopy

When a procedure is necessary, we often use minimally invasive techniques, such as arthroscopy. This technique uses small incisions and a thin tube with a camera and light at the tip to carry out procedures. We use arthroscopy to repair cartilage, ligament or tendon tears or remove damaged tissue or bone fragments.

Our expertise includes delicate procedures to repair nerves and perform tendon transfers. You can also count on us for high-quality care for broken bones and fractures that don’t heal as expected. Read more about orthopedic surgery and arthroscopy.

Hand, Wrist, Elbow and Shoulder Conditions We Treat

Our experts treat common and complex conditions, including:

Arthritis: The breakdown of cartilage within a joint, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness
Bursitis: Inflammation in the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that ensure smooth joint movement
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Pinched nerve in the wrist that causes pain, numbness, and tingling
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: Inflammation in the wrist and lower thumb tendons that makes grasping painful
Dislocations: Joint bones in the shoulder or elbow that slip out of their natural position
Dupuytren’s disease: A condition that causes the fibrous tissue layer (fascia) in the palms and fingers to thicken and tighten, pulling the fingers inward
Fractures: A severe hit or bad fall that breaks bone tissue
Ganglion cysts: Pocket of jelly-filled tissue that forms on the wrist, causing a lump beneath the skin
Ligament injuries: Sprains or tears in bands of connective tissue due to trauma or overuse
Rotator cuff conditions: Strains and tears in the sleeve of tendons around the shoulder
Sprains: Abnormal stretching of a ligament, fibrous tissue that connects bones
Tendonitis: Inflammation in the tendons of the wrists, elbow, or shoulder