Upper Extremity Injury

Jonathan Oheb, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & Hand Surgeon located in Beverly Hills, CA & Encino, CA

Upper extremity injuries due to trauma and overuse are common. They’re also easy to aggravate if you don’t get proper treatment, because you’ll keep using your upper limbs as long as pain and loss of movement isn’t severe enough to make you stop. Dr. Jonathan Oheb encourages you to schedule an evaluation at the first sign of a problem, so he can ensure your injury heals properly and you regain optimal strength. When you need to see Dr. Oheb, call one of his offices in Beverly Hills, Encino, and Mission Hills, California, California, or book an appointment online.

Upper Extremity Injury Q & A

What are the most common upper extremity injuries?

upper extremity injuries photo

Your upper extremity includes your shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand, and all of them can be injured by trauma and repetitive motion. Some of the most common injuries affecting the upper extremities include:

Fractures, often of the wrist and hand
Rotator cuff injury and dislocated shoulder
Torn or cut tendons in the wrist or hand
Swollen tendons, often in the wrist
Ligament tears, often in the elbow or shoulder
Tendon injury, often at the elbow or shoulder
Inflamed tendon (tendonitis), such as tennis elbow
Repetitive use injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome

What upper extremity injuries are associated with sports?

The upper limb is one of the top two body parts injured during sports, representing 23% of sports injuries, whether you’re an athlete, amateur, or professional player. Joints are the most susceptible, with the most injuries occurring in the shoulder, followed by the elbow and wrist.

Lateral or medial epicondylitis, also called tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, respectively, represent half of all chronic conditions caused by repetitive stress.

What nerve injuries occur in your upper extremities?

The peripheral nerves in your upper extremities are vulnerable to trauma due to extensive use of your elbow, wrist, hand, and shoulder.

Nerve injuries often occur together with other upper extremity injuries, such as a fracture or tendon rupture. A few common nerve injuries include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome: the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist
Cubital tunnel syndrome: the ulnar nerve is compressed as it passes through the cubital tunnel in your elbow
Brachial plexus injury: the network of nerves that control movement in your arm and hand is often damaged when your arm is forcibly pulled

How are upper extremity injuries treated?

With such a broad range of potential injuries affecting the upper extremities, you’ll need an experienced physician like Dr. Oheb to be sure your condition is accurately diagnosed and properly treated.

Dr. Oheb begins with the most conservative approach that’s appropriate for your injury and customized to meet your needs. In some cases that may include nothing more than temporarily modifying your activity or wearing a brace.

Other types of injuries, such as a complex fracture or completely ruptured tendon or nerve, may require immobilization, extensive rehabilitation, or surgery.

Dr. Oheb has two offices located conveniently in Los Angeles County and patients drive from all over just to see him. Patients travel from areas such as West Hills, Canoga Park, Winnetka, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills, Chatsworth, North Hills, Panorama City, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Mission Hills, San Fernando, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, Burbank, and Glendale.

If you develop pain, swelling, weakness, tingling, numbness, or loss of motion in your upper extremities, call Dr. Jonathan Oheb or book an appointment online.

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