Your hands help you work, cook, drive, type, and care for the people you love, so pain that lingers can quietly shrink your world. It is tempting to wait for aching, stiffness, or tingling to fade, and sometimes it does. Some hand problems, however, slowly worsen without the right care. Learn about the warning signs, the conditions a hand surgeon in Chicago commonly evaluates, and what diagnosis and treatment involve.
Why Persistent Hand Pain Deserves a Closer Look
Your hand and wrist contain 27 bones, 27 joints, 34 muscles, and more than 100 ligaments and tendons. Because these structures work so closely together, pain in one spot can come from a joint, a tendon, a nerve, or a bone. A focused hand and wrist evaluation helps pinpoint the true source, so your treatment targets the cause rather than just the symptom.
Common Conditions Behind Hand Pain That Will Not Go Away
Some hand pain follows an injury, while other symptoms build gradually. Frequent causes include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, where pressure on the median nerve at the wrist causes numbness, tingling, burning pain, and a weaker grip
- Trigger finger, where inflammation around a tendon makes a finger or thumb catch, click, or lock in a bent position
- Arthritis of the hand and thumb arthritis, which cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and changes in joint shape
- Ganglion cysts, fluid-filled lumps near the wrist or finger joints that may become painful or limit movement
- Dupuytren's contracture, a thickening of tissue in the palm that gradually pulls the fingers inward
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist
If your pain started on the court, the field, or the rink, hand and wrist sports injuries such as jammed fingers, ligament tears, and small fractures are also common culprits.
Warning Signs It Is Time to See a Hand Surgeon in Chicago
Mild soreness after a long day of yard work usually settles with rest. Consider a specialist evaluation if you notice:
- Pain that persists or keeps coming back despite rest
- Numbness or tingling that wakes you at night
- Weakness, a loosening grip, or a tendency to drop objects
- A finger that catches, clicks, or locks
- A lump that is growing or painful
- Fingers that curl toward your palm and will not fully straighten
- Pain that interferes with work, sports, or everyday tasks
If numbness is your main concern, learn more about why your hand may go numb. After an injury, seek prompt care if your hand looks deformed, you cannot move it, a bone has broken through the skin, or your fingers feel cold or look pale.
What to Expect When You Visit a Hand Specialist
Your visit begins with a conversation about your symptoms and how they affect your work and daily life, followed by an examination of motion, strength, sensation, and tenderness. You may need X-rays, an ultrasound, an MRI, or nerve conduction studies to confirm what is happening beneath the skin.
Hand Pain Treatment Options, From Splints to Surgery
Many hand conditions improve without surgery, so conservative care usually comes first. Your plan may include:
- Rest and changes to the activities that trigger your pain
- A splint or brace
- Anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections
- Hand therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises
When these measures do not bring enough relief, or a structural problem needs correcting, surgery may be discussed. Examples include carpal tunnel release surgery to relieve pressure on the median nerve, trigger finger release to free a catching tendon, ganglion cyst removal for a cyst that stays painful, and joint procedures for advanced arthritis. After complex injuries, hand microsurgery uses specialized instruments to repair delicate nerves, tendons, and blood vessels.
If repetitive work or an accident on the job caused your symptoms, workers' compensation care for hand injuries focuses on restoring function and a safe return to work. For many people in the western suburbs, seeing a hand surgeon in Western Springs or Westmont keeps specialist care close to home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seeing a Hand Surgeon
When should I see a hand surgeon instead of my regular doctor?
If hand pain, numbness, or stiffness persists, keeps returning, or affects your grip and daily tasks, a hand surgeon can evaluate the bones, joints, tendons, and nerves involved. Seeing a surgeon does not automatically mean you need an operation.
Do I need a referral to see a hand surgeon in Chicago?
Referral requirements depend on your insurance plan. Check with your insurer, and bring a referral letter if your plan requires one.
Can hand pain go away without surgery?
Yes, many conditions improve with rest, splinting, medications, injections, or hand therapy. Surgery is usually considered when these treatments do not provide enough relief.
What causes hand pain that will not go away?
Common causes include carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis of the hand or thumb, ganglion cysts, and tendon inflammation. An exam and imaging help identify which one is behind your symptoms.
Is numbness in my fingers a reason to see a hand specialist?
Yes, especially if it wakes you at night, lasts for days, or comes with weakness. Numbness often signals nerve compression, which is best evaluated before lasting nerve damage develops.
Find a Hand Surgeon Near Chicago in Western Springs and Westmont
You do not have to simply live with persistent hand pain. An evaluation can explain what is causing your symptoms and which options fit your life. You can request an appointment online or call to schedule a visit at our Western Springs or Westmont office.
AUTHOR: Jason Shrouder-Henry, MD, MBA – Board-Certified Hand, Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder Surgeon
Jason Shrouder-Henry, MD, MBA is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with additional subspecialty board certification in hand surgery. He treats conditions affecting the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder in both children and adults, with particular expertise in complex upper-extremity trauma and fracture care, degenerative and arthritic disorders, work- and sports-related injuries, and nerve and vascular conditions. Dr. Shrouder-Henry is committed to restoring patients to the highest possible level of function through thoughtful conservative care and, when appropriate, minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Credentials & Training
Dr. Shrouder-Henry earned his Medical Doctorate from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University of Toronto. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in Hand and Microvascular Surgery at the San Antonio Hand Center under the mentorship of David P. Green, MD, followed by a fellowship in Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at the University of Toronto.
He was awarded the Hirani Family Scholarship to attend the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, where he obtained an MBA with a specialization in healthcare management and strategy.
Clinical Expertise & Research
In clinical practice, Dr. Shrouder-Henry focuses on comprehensive upper-extremity care, emphasizing individualized treatment plans that balance non-operative therapies with advanced surgical solutions when needed. His primary research interests center on the economic impact and healthcare utilization associated with fracture care across patients, private practices, and hospital systems, with the goal of improving value-based orthopedic care and patient outcomes.
He has served as a national panelist at major hand surgery conferences, including meetings of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Association for Hand Surgery, presenting on healthcare quality optimization, patient education, and practice management innovation. Dr. Shrouder-Henry is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the American Association for Hand Surgery, and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. Recognized for his clinical excellence and leadership in patient care, he has been honored as a Top Black Doctor and has been named a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly for several consecutive years.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment recommendations, please consult with Dr. Shrouder-Henry.
Content authored by Dr. Jason Shrouder-Henry and verified against official sources.