Overview
Your hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders are essential tools that allow you to work, play and perform everyday activities. In fact, how well the hands, wrists, arms and shoulders interact depends upon the integrity and function of the related ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints and bones. Problems in any of these can affect upper extremity function - from the fingertips to the shoulder blades - causing major disruptions at home and at work and negatively impacting quality of life.
If you are among the millions of Americans experiencing hand and upper extremity problems each year, finding expert care is all-important. Whether your condition is due to arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, a sports injury, an accident, a work-related injury or a congenital disorder, you can feel confident choosing the Cleveland Clinic Upper Extremity Center for your care. The Center provides care to Cleveland’s professional athletes and musicians, and many of its surgeons have been recognized by their peers as the best in the nation.
Appointments
To schedule an appointment with a physician who specializes in fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders, please call toll-free 866.275.7496.
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Hand & Wrist Pain
With how much we rely on our hands, there’s no wonder hand and wrist pain can be so disabling and frustrating. When this pain interferes with typing on your computer, spending time on your hobbies or even getting yourself ready in the morning, it’s time to seek medical advice.
Your hand is made up of 27 bones, including eight in the wrist (called carpals), five in the palm (called metacarpals) and 14 (called phalanges) that make up your fingers and thumb. The bones are held together by ligaments and two main sets of muscles and tendons: flexors (used to bend the thumb and fingers) that connect to the underside of the forearm, and extensors (used to straighten them out) and connect to the top of the forearm.
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Elbow Pain
Elbow pain is extremely common – whether due to aging, overuse, trauma or a sports injury. When elbow pain interferes with carrying the groceries, participating in your favorite activities or getting a good night’s sleep, it’s time to seek medical advice.
Your elbow is a hinge joint between the radius and ulna of the forearm, and the humerus of the upper arm. The bones are held together by ligaments. The primary ligaments of the elbow are the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inside of the elbow and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outside. Several muscles surrounding the joint are responsible for movement. The tendons attach the muscle to the bone, the cartilage covers and protects the ends of the bones, and bursa sacs provide lubrication and protection around the joint.
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Shoulder Pain
The "exercise revolution" has resulted in higher levels of activity in people of all ages. As a result, shoulder pain and shoulder problems have become more and more common.
Currently, injuries and concerns related to the shoulder account for nearly 20% of the visits to the doctor’s office. Rotator cuff tears, arthritis, fractures, bursitis, and shoulder instability, including acute dislocations, are among the most common conditions that bring patients to us for help.
Cleveland Clinic's Upper Extremity Center includes a group of fellowship-trained physicians who diagnose and treat the full spectrum of shoulder-related problems. Most shoulder problems do not require surgery, and are best treated with a directed exercise program, often with the help of anti-inflammatory medications.
However, when necessary, our specialists are highly skilled in the latest techniques of arthroscopic surgery, laser surgery, and total shoulder joint replacement. Because we have long served as a referral center for complex shoulder problems, our surgeons treat more total shoulder joint replacements than nearly any other medical institution in the country.
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What We Treat
- Arthritis of the Wrist and Hand
- Arthritis of the Thumb Base
- Arthroscopic Shoulder Decompression
- Biceps Tendon Injuries
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Clavicle Fracture
- Congenital Hand Differences
- De Quervain's Disease
- Dupuytren's Disease
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Shoulder Fractures
- Shoulder Instability
- Shoulder Replacement
- Tendonitis
- Trigger Finger
Appointments
To make an appointment with any of our hand, wrist or shoulder specialists, please call the phone number provided below. You may also schedule your appointment online.
The safety of our patients remains our top priority. We want to assure you that our Cleveland Clinic facilities are using every safety precaution - from sanitizing surfaces to temperature screenings - to keep our patients safe and healthy. Learn more about the steps we are taking to make your return to care safe.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Locally 216.444.2606
- Toll-free 800.223.2273 ext 42606
Virtual Second Opinion
If you cannot travel to Cleveland Clinic, help is available. You can connect with Cleveland Clinic specialists from any location in the world via a phone, tablet, or computer, eliminating the burden of travel time and other obstacles.If you’re facing a significant medical condition or treatment such as surgery, this program provides virtual access to a Cleveland Clinic physician who will review the diagnosis and treatment plan. Following a comprehensive evaluation of medical records and labs, you’ll receive an educational second opinion from an expert in their medical condition covering diagnosis, treatment options or alternatives as well as recommendations regarding future therapeutic considerations. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to speak with the physician expert directly to address questions or concerns. Learn more.
