Ligament Injuries Specialist

Central Jersey Hand Surgery

Hand and Upper Extremity Surgeons located in Eatontown, Freehold, & Toms River, NJ

When you think of a ligament injury, you may automatically think about the ligaments in your knees. However, ligament injuries can occur at any joint, including your wrists and hands. The specialists at Central Jersey Hand Surgery, with offices in Eatontown, and Toms River, New Jersey, can diagnose and treat ligament injuries to ensure proper healing. Call the office nearest you or use the online booking button to schedule an appointment today.

Ligament Injuries Q & A

What are ligament injuries?

Your ligaments are tough, fibrous tissues that hold bones together at your joints to provide stability and assist with movement. The ligaments found in your hands and wrists are susceptible to injury.

Classification of ligament injuries is based on the degree of the damage to the fibrous tissue, and include:

Grade I injuries

A grade I ligament injury refers to a sprain of the ligament, or a mild overstretching.

Grade II injuries

If you have a grade II ligament injury, then the ligament has sustained a mild tear.

Grade III injuries

Grade III ligament injuries are the most severe and indicate a complete tearing of the tissue.

The degree of your ligament injury determines the type of treatment you need.

What are the symptoms of a ligament injury?

Symptoms of a ligament injury, whether in the wrist or a finger, usually include pain, swelling, and a decreased range of motion.

At Central Jersey Hand Surgery, the team often sees ligament injuries referred to as gamekeeper’s or skier’s thumb, which occur from a fall on an outstretched hand. Car accidents and sports, specifically skiing, are common causes of the ligament injury, which results in a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament at the metacarpal-phalangeal joint. Pain, swelling, and bruising are common symptoms and, like other ligament injuries, the degree of damage to this ligament can vary and is graded based on the severity of the tear.

You may be able to care for your ligament injury at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. However, if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen, the experienced team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery can evaluate and treat your ligament injury.

How are ligament injuries diagnosed?

The team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery conducts comprehensive evaluations when you come to the office with concerns about a ligament injury to your hand or wrist. To diagnose a ligament injury, as well as the severity of the injury, your doctor may request diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or MRI.

It’s important to not ignore a ligament injury because it can lead to chronic instability and the development of arthritis in the joint.

What are the treatments for ligament injuries?

The specialists at Central Jersey Hand Surgery develop individualized treatment plans for the management of ligament injuries based on the location of the injury and the extent of the damage. For a grade I ligament injury, you may only need splinting. If you have a grade II ligament injury, you may require splinting followed by hand therapy.

For a grade III ligament injury, surgery is required to repair or reconstruct your damaged ligament. The team at Central Jersey Hand Surgery performs ligament surgery at a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical center. After surgery, the ligament is immobilized to allow for healing. Once healed, your doctor refers you to rehabilitative hand therapy to maximize functional recovery.

For diagnosis and management of your hand or wrist ligament injury, call the experts at Central Jersey Hand Surgery or request a consultation online today.