At UPMC, we provide complete care for injuries, damage, or abnormalities that affect the joints, bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments in your hands, elbows, or shoulders.
Our experts offer surgical and nonsurgical treatments for arthritis, tendonitis, deformities, nerve entrapments, and more. Our team will develop a treatment plan that reduces symptoms, restores mobility, and improves quality of life.
What Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Conditions Do We Treat?
Our experts treat all hand, elbow, and shoulder problems, including common and complex cases, including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hand and thumb, index, and middle fingers that happens when a nerve in the wrist gets compressed within the tunnel it runs through.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome — Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in the hand and ring and pinky fingers that happens when a nerve in the elbow gets compressed within the tunnel it runs through.
- Dislocation/Subluxation — When a bone is partially or fully out of place from the joint. This can occur in multiple areas, such as the fingers, wrist, elbow, or shoulder. These injuries usually result from a fall, contact sport, car accident, or other traumatic injury.
- Elbow bursitis — Swelling in the fluid-filled sac in the back of the elbow.
- Elbow ligament tear — A tear of an elbow ligament on either the inside or outside of the elbow joint, most often caused by a repetitive throwing motion or a traumatic injury.
- Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)— Pain on the inside of the elbow caused by inflammation in the tendon attachment connecting the forearm muscles to the elbow.
- Fracture — A break in a bone, most commonly from a fall.
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) — Pain and stiffness in the shoulder that usually comes on gradually and limits the movement of the shoulder in multiple directions.
- Labral tear — A tear in the bumper of tissue that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint, often torn during shoulder dislocations.
- Osteoarthritis — Pain and inflammation in the joints that happens from loss of cartilage over time. As the cartilage wears out, the bones begin to rub on each other, causing pain, popping or cracking sensations, and the development of bone spurs.
- Rheumatoid arthritis — A disease where the immune system attacks the soft tissues in the joints that can cause a painful form of arthritis in multiple joints.
- Rotator cuff tear — A tear in one or more of the tendons in the rotator cuff in the shoulder, exhibited by pain and weakness with motions such as lifting your arm away from your body. Can be traumatic or slowly develop over time.
- Shoulder impingement — Pain due to swollen tissues in the shoulder rubbing against the bone that get pinched with certain motions.
- Shoulder instability — When the top of the arm bone repeatedly slips out of the shoulder socket. This usually develops after multiple previous dislocations.
- Shoulder bursitis — Painful swelling in the fluid-filled sac in the shoulder above the rotator cuff.
- Sprains and strains — An injury to the ligaments or muscles in the joint.
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — Pain on the outside of the elbow caused by inflammation in the tendon attachment connecting the forearm muscles to the elbow.
- Trigger finger — Painful catching and locking of a finger as it is bent and straightened due to the tendon getting caught as it glides through its dedicated tube.
Whatever the hand, elbow, or shoulder issue, we'll work with you to develop the best treatment for your unique problem and lifestyle needs.
Who’s Eligible for Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Services?
You may be eligible for hand, elbow, and shoulder services if you have a hand, elbow, or shoulder condition that is causing symptoms that affect your quality of life.
What Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Services Do You Offer?
At UPMC, we provide complete care for hand, elbow, and shoulder problems.
Advanced diagnostic tests for hand, elbow, and shoulder problems
We offer the following tests:
- Arthrogram — Dye is injected into a joint so we can see the small structures in the joint during an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
- Diagnostic arthroscopy — The surgeon makes a small incision and sends a tiny camera attached to a tube to the joint. Doctors may use this when other tests don't reveal the diagnosis.
- Electromyogram — We measure the signals made by nerve cells in muscles to help diagnose nerve or muscle problems.
- Imaging tests — Imaging tests include CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and x-rays.
Customized splints, braces, and casts
We provide custom splints, braces, and casts to treat sprains, strains, and fractures and prevent worsening joint problems.
Medication and shots for treating hand, elbow, and shoulder conditions
Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can reduce joint swelling and pain. We also offer steroid injections for the elbow and shoulder, which can relieve pain from various joint problems.
Physical therapy for hand, elbow, and shoulder issues
Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in your joints. In collaboration with your care team, physical therapists may teach you techniques and exercises to treat and prevent joint problems. They can also advise you on heat and cold therapy.
Wrist pain treatment
If you are having wrist pain, your doctor will perform tests to determine the cause and may recommend treatment, including:
- Casting or splinting — If your wrist pain is related to an injury, such as a broken bone or sprain, your doctor may recommend a cast or splint.
- Nonsurgical care — Heat/ice, physical therapy, rest, over-the-counter pain medications, and activity modification may help manage wrist pain.
- Surgery — Our team performs surgical procedures to repair broken bones or damaged ligaments and tendons, as well as treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Hand surgery
Our hand surgeons perform a range of procedures, including:
- Fracture repair surgery — A procedure to repair broken bones using metal screws, pins, plates, and rods.
- Hand reconstruction — A procedure to repair or address issues involving ligaments, tendons, and other problems.
- Joint surgery — A procedure to address a painful joint, which can involve fusing the bones, replacing the joint, or removing painful bone to alleviate pain.
- Nerve release — A procedure to treat conditions that affect the nerves, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Elbow surgery
If you have an elbow injury or disorder that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure. Elbow surgery procedures include:
- Elbow arthroscopy — A minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat problems with your elbow joint using small surgical instruments and a camera that allows your surgeon to see inside your joint.
- Elbow replacement surgery — A less-common procedure that involves removing your diseased or damaged elbow joint and replacing it with an artificial joint.
- Open elbow surgery — A traditional procedure to repair damaged ligaments or tendons, treat complex bone fractures, relieve nerve compression, and more.
Is elbow surgery a major surgery?
Many elbow surgeries are same-day procedures performed using minimally invasive techniques and are not considered major surgeries. However, depending on the complexity of your procedure, elbow surgery may be considered major surgery.
How long does it take to recover from elbow surgery?
Recovery from elbow surgery can range from a week to several months, depending on your condition and the extent of your procedure. Your surgeon will let you know what to expect for your recovery.
Shoulder surgery
If you have a shoulder injury or disorder that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure. Wherever possible, we use arthroscopic surgery — a minimally invasive surgery where the doctor maneuvers tools and a tiny camera through a small incision. This approach minimizes scarring and reduces the risk of complications.
Shoulder surgery procedures include:
- Acromioclavicular (AC) joint repair — A procedure that repairs damage to the AC joint to treat shoulder instability.
- Rotator cuff repair — A procedure that repairs torn parts of the rotator cuff, which comprises the tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place and allow shoulder movement.
- Shoulder arthroscopy — A minimally invasive procedure to diagnose and treat problems with your shoulder joint using small surgical instruments and a camera that allows your surgeon to see inside your joint. This procedure is often used for rotator cuff and labral repairs.
- Shoulder replacement surgery — A procedure that involves removing your diseased or damaged shoulder joint and replacing it with an artificial joint.
- Shoulder fracture surgery — A procedure that involves fixing the broken bones within the shoulder, with a variety of options, including plates, screws, sutures, or even replacing it with an artificial joint.
Is shoulder surgery a major surgery?
Many shoulder surgeries are same-day procedures performed using minimally invasive techniques and are not considered major surgeries. However, shoulder surgery may be considered major surgery, depending on the complexity of your procedure.
How long does it take to recover from shoulder surgery?
Recovery from shoulder surgery can range from a week to several months, depending on your condition and the extent of your procedure. Your surgeon will let you know what to expect for your recovery.
What Can I Expect From Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Services?
Our team of orthopaedic experts will develop a comprehensive plan along with you to manage your condition and reduce your risk of complications.
Before your visit
To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:
- Name, address, and contact phone number.
- Insurance information.
- Relevant medical records and test results.
- A referral, if required by your health insurance company.
If you get a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.
During your visit
You'll meet with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant when you arrive for your first appointment. He or she will ask about your medical history and perform an exam.
Your care team may order tests to learn more about your condition and provide a diagnosis.
After you receive a diagnosis, your health care provider will explain your treatment options based on your symptoms, condition, and health history.
Together, you will design and agree on a care plan. If necessary, your provider may:
- Order additional tests.
- Recommend nonsurgical treatment.
- Refer you to another provider.
- Schedule a procedure in the office, a surgery center, or the hospital.
After your treatment
Our team will schedule follow-up appointments as needed. You should contact our office if:
- You have questions about your treatment plan or medications.
- Your symptoms get worse or do not improve as expected.
- You have any other concerns about your condition.
Why Choose UPMC for Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder Services?
When you choose UPMC for your hand, elbow, and shoulder services, you will receive:
- Access to world-class orthopaedic expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of hand, elbow, and shoulder disorders using the latest surgical techniques.
- Advanced diagnostic care — We’ll find the cause of your hand, elbow, or shoulder disorder and work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer nonsurgical care, as well as minimally invasive and traditional surgical approaches and rehabilitation, depending on your individual care needs.
