Patient Education

Orthopedic Insights & Patient Education

Clear, evidence-based answers about hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions — written to help you understand your symptoms, your diagnosis and your treatment options, from fellowship-trained hand surgeon Tanay Amin, MD, FAAOS.

19 articles

Close-up of an open human hand showing the palm and fingers affected by median nerve compressionNerve Conditions

Sep 17, 2026

Early Carpal Tunnel: What the First Signs Look Like

Carpal tunnel rarely starts as constant numbness. Learn the earliest signs, the nighttime pattern that gives it away, and the treatments that work at each stage.

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Anatomical illustration of the nerves traveling from the neck down the arm to the hand, showing the median and ulnar nerve pathwaysNerve Conditions

Sep 16, 2026

Cubital Tunnel vs. Carpal Tunnel: Which Nerve Is Causing Your Symptoms?

Both conditions numb the hand, but they involve different nerves, different fingers and different tunnels. Learn how the finger pattern tells you which one is which.

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Close-up of two hands together, showing the fingers and palm of an adult handHand & Fingers

Jun 9, 2024

When Does Trigger Finger Need Treatment?

Trigger finger can improve on its own or with rest, but persistent catching, locking or pain usually benefits from treatment. Learn when injections or surgery are recommended.

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Young woman with wrist pain holding her phone, discomfort at the base of the thumbArthritis

May 18, 2024

Understanding Thumb Base Arthritis

Thumb base (CMC) arthritis affects the joint at the base of the thumb and makes pinching and gripping painful. Learn what it is, how it progresses, and the range of treatment options.

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Man pressing a painful wrist, the small-finger side where TFCC injuries occurWrist

Apr 25, 2024

What Is a TFCC Injury?

The TFCC is a complex of cartilage and ligaments on the pinky side of the wrist. Injuries cause ulnar-sided wrist pain and can be traumatic or degenerative. Learn about diagnosis and treatment.

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Hand and wrist X-ray showing the distal radius and carpal bones evaluated for fractureFractures & Trauma

Mar 30, 2024

When Does a Wrist Fracture Require Surgery?

Not every wrist fracture needs an operation, but displaced, unstable or joint-involving fractures often are best treated surgically. Learn what factors guide the decision.

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Anatomical illustration of the muscles, tendons and connective tissue of the hand and wristHand & Fingers

Mar 12, 2024

My Fingers Are Clicking and Getting Stuck. They Really Hurt.

A popping, catching or locking sensation in a finger is often a sign of trigger finger. Learn what causes the tendon to catch, when it hurts, and the treatment options available.

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Person resting at home with wrist pain and stiffness, a common cause of nighttime hand numbnessNerve Conditions

Mar 2, 2024

Why Does My Hand Go Numb at Night?

Waking with a numb hand is a common concern. It is often from nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome, but it can also relate to sleeping position. Learn the possible causes and when to get it checked.

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Tennis player holding their elbow in pain during a match, showing tendon strainElbow

Feb 10, 2024

Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: What's the Difference?

Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are both painful overuse conditions of the tendons at the elbow, but they affect different tendons and different sides of the arm. Learn the difference.

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