Hand and Arm Care

Expert care for the hand, wrist, elbow, and arm 

At Mass General Brigham, our orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for the entire upper extremity – the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder. We repair everything from cuts, crush injuries, and fractures to chronic conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis. Our goal is to relieve pain, restore strength and dexterity, and help you get back to your daily activities safely and comfortably.

Help when every second counts

When serious accidents happen, our trauma and reconstructive specialists are ready, day or night. We treat severe injuries such as industrial accidents, amputations, and complex open wounds, including finger and hand replantation. Working closely with Mass General Brigham’s emergency, microsurgery, and rehabilitation teams, we focus on preserving function, minimizing long-term disability, and guiding patients and families through recovery with skill and compassion.

With one of the largest and most experienced hand and upper-extremity teams in the country, Mass General Brigham Orthopedics combines surgical precision with world-class occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Because we treat thousands of patients each year, our team has seen it all, from minor sprains to complex reconstructions, and provides individualized solutions for every patient’s needs.

What conditions do hand and arm specialists treat?

Our specialists diagnose and treat the full range of upper-extremity problems, including acute injuries and chronic conditions:

Injuries

• Lacerations, crush injuries and open wounds
• Fractures and dislocations of the hand, wrist, or arm, including distal radius fractures
• Traumatic amputations and complex wound reconstruction
• Nerve injuries and compression syndromes
  • Carpal tunnel
  • Cubital tunnel
• Ligament and tendon tears, ruptures, and injuries
• Soft tissue injuries and infections
• Sports injuries and overuse conditions like skier’s thumb, golfer’s elbow, and tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Workplace and industrial accidents 
• Wrist sprains

Chronic conditions

• Arthritis of the hand, wrist, and elbow, including:
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Post-traumatic arthritis
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Elbow instability
• Ganglion cysts and soft tissue masses
• In-born (congenital) or developmental differences (“deformities”)
• Trigger finger
• Wrist pain

Our care team

Your multidisciplinary care team may include orthopedic and plastic surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, and one of the largest groups of certified hand therapists in the country. Together, they provide seamless coordinated care from emergency treatment to rehabilitation. We also collaborate closely with our Sports Medicine team to treat acute and overuse injuries in athletes of all levels.

With deep expertise and a focus on your goals, our hand and arm care team is here to support your journey to better movement, lasting relief, and greater independence.

What are my treatment options?

Non-surgical care and rehabilitation

Not every hand or arm injury requires surgery. Depending on your diagnosis and goals, your treatment plan may include:

• Hand or occupational therapy to rebuild strength and function
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain
• Biologic and regenerative options to promote tissue repair
• Splinting or bracing for support and alignment
• Medications to relieve discomfort
• Activity modification and ergonomic guidance

Our goal is to relieve pain, improve dexterity, and help you avoid or delay surgery whenever possible.

How occupational therapy supports your recovery

Occupational therapy plays a central role in hand and arm recovery. At Mass General Brigham, our certified hand therapists—part of one of the nation’s largest therapy networks—work closely with surgeons and rehabilitation specialists to help patients regain mobility, dexterity, and independence after injury or surgery. Therapy may begin shortly after wound closure or surgical repair and continues through every stage of healing.

Our occupational therapy services include:

• Personalized rehabilitation plans tailored to your goals
• Strengthening and range-of-motion exercises
• Custom splint fabrication and fitting
• Training for daily activities, work, and sports
• Scar management and desensitization techniques
• Ergonomic education and injury prevention strategies

Orthopedic surgery for hand and arm injuries and conditions

When surgery is the best option, our orthopedic surgeons perform advanced procedures for trauma, reconstruction and chronic conditions. We care for patients with injuries large and small, from broken bones and tendon lacerations to nerve repair and joint replacement.

Some of the procedures we perform regularly include:

• Fracture repair and internal fixation
• Tendon and nerve repair
• Wrist and elbow arthroscopy (minimally invasive)
• Carpal and cubital tunnel release
• Joint replacement surgery (wrist, elbow, and small joints)
• Ligament and joint reconstruction
• Treatment of complex trauma and congenital differences or "deformities"
• Trigger finger release

At Mass General Brigham, we use surgical techniques that promote faster recovery, preserve fine motor skills, and support long-term mobility and function.

Coordinated care before, during, and after surgery

From your first consultation to your final follow-up, our team works together to ensure your safe and smooth recovery. We offer:

• Personalized pre-surgical education and planning so you know what to expect
• Tailored anesthesia and pain management strategies
• Individualized post-surgical rehabilitation to help you regain strength and function
• Ongoing support as you return to work, sports, and other everyday activities

Choosing Mass General Brigham for hand and arm care

Mass General Brigham brings together the region’s leading experts in hand, wrist, elbow, arm and shoulder care across Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and convenient outpatient locations across New England.

We are home to one of largest upper extremity programs in the United States and the most certified hand therapists in New England, offering coordinated surgical and rehabilitative care for every level of injury, no matter how complex.

When you choose us, you benefit from:

• Leading orthopedic hand and arm specialists who treat thousands of patients every year
• Seamless coordination between surgeons and hand therapists
• Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care from diagnosis through rehabilitation
• A proven record of excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction

Frequently asked questions