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Upper Extremity Conditions

Shoulder Arthritis

Progressive pain, stiffness and crepitus with reduced motion. Start with NSAIDs/heat, activity changes, injections and PT.

Proximal Humerus Fracture

Pain, swelling and bruising after trauma; confirmed on X‑ray. Many treated with sling and early ROM; surgery for displaced patterns.

Deltoid Strain

Pain/tenderness over the deltoid after overuse or sudden load. Usually resolves with rest, NSAIDs, ice and short PT.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Pain with overhead activity and at night, weakness on ER/abduction. Start with PT; injections considered; repair for persistent/large tears.

Shoulder Dislocation

Acute pain and deformity after trauma; requires reduction and immobilization then rehab.

AC Joint Sprain

Pain/swelling over the AC joint; pain on cross‑body motion. Most improve with rest, ice, NSAIDs, short sling and progressive PT.

Shoulder Instability

Sensation of slipping/giving way with pain and weakness; often after dislocation or with laxity. Rehab first; surgery if recurrent.

Shoulder Labral

Pain with clicking/locking and possible instability from labral injury; start with rest/NSAIDs and stability‑focused PT.

Shoulder Strain

Overuse or acute load causing micro‑injury and pain with limited motion; usually recovers quickly with guided care.

Biceps Tendonitis

Anterior shoulder pain/tenderness over bicipital groove, worse with resisted supination. Improves with rest, NSAIDs, PT.

Impingement Syndrome

Compression/irritation of rotator cuff with pain on elevation and night pain; responds to targeted PT and activity changes.

Frozen Shoulder

Gradual global stiffness and pain limiting motion in all directions; managed with meds, stretching‑focused PT and sometimes injections.

Radial Head Fracture

Lateral elbow pain after fall on outstretched hand; many are treated non‑operatively.

Lateral Epicondylitis

Outer elbow pain with gripping/lifting; overuse of wrist extensors.

Olecranon Fracture

Posterior elbow pain/swelling after fall or blow; often surgery if displaced.

Medial Epicondylitis

Pain at inner elbow worsened by gripping or wrist flexion; often overuse.

Humerus Shaft Fracture

Pain, swelling and deformity after trauma; often managed in a functional brace; watch radial nerve.

Elbow Arthritis

Pain, stiffness, grinding with reduced motion; osteoarthritis or inflammatory.

Distal Biceps Tendinopathy

Anterior elbow pain or sudden pop with weakness in supination; tendinopathy vs acute tear.

Elbow Dislocation

Acute deformity and severe pain after trauma; urgent reduction then immobilization and rehab.

Scaphoid Fracture

Small wrist bone fracture that may be occult on early X‑ray; needs close follow‑up.

De Quervains Tenosynovitis

Pain at radial wrist with thumb motion/lifting; tendon sheath irritation.

Distal Radius Fracture

Common wrist fracture after a fall; many treated with reduction and casting/boot.

TFCC Injury

Ulnar‑sided wrist pain with rotation/grip; triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.

Forearm Strain

Overuse or sudden load to forearm muscles/tendons causing pain and tightness.

Hand Fracture

Pain, swelling, deformity or rotation; many treated with splints/casts; therapy for motion.

Hand Cramps

Sudden painful muscle contractions in hand due to fatigue, dehydration, or nerve/ electrolyte issues.

Wrist Strain/Sprain

Overstretch or ligament strain causing wrist pain and swelling.

Flexor Tendon Injury

Cut/rupture to flexor tendon causing loss of finger flexion; urgent specialist care.

Hand Stiffness

Reduced range after injury/immobilization or arthritis.

Hand Tendonitis

Overuse irritation of hand tendons with pain and swelling.

Hand Numbness

Numbness/tingling from nerve compression or systemic causes; evaluate pattern.

Trigger Finger

Finger catches or locks with flexion; thickened tendon sheath.

Hand Arthritis

Pain, stiffness and swelling in hand joints; worse in morning or after use.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Numbness/tingling in thumb, index/middle fingers; worse at night; median nerve compression.

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