Hand & Wrist Doctor in New Orleans
Katie Faust, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who has completed two fellowships—a Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microvascular Surgery Fellowship at Duke University and a Pediatric Hand Fellowship at The Hand & Upper Extremity Center of Georgia in Atlanta. She and her team at OANO, including occupational therapists and support staff, use state-of-the-art procedures to diagnose, manage and correct conditions which can run from the fingertips to the wrist.
Treatment of the hand and wrist is a highly specialized field which includes with a broad range of conditions and symptoms. Many of these are treated with non-surgical approaches, such as medications, injections, and therapy. When surgery is required, advanced and minimally invasive procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and without a hospital stay.
Specifically, we treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions that include:
- Arthritis (hand/thumb/wrist)
- Boutonniere deformity
- Broken bones
- Buckle fractures
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain syndrome
- Dislocations
- Distal radius fractures
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Fingertip injuries
- Flexor tendon injuries
- Ganglion cysts
- Hand fractures
- Kienbock’s disease
- Osteoarthritis of hand or wrist
- Mallet finger
- Nerve injuries
- Thumb UCL sprain
- Trigger finger
- Ulnar tunnel syndrome
- Wrist sprain
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Bracing/casting
- Carpal & cubital tunnel release
- De Quervain’s release
- Finger & wrist joint replacement
- Fracture reduction and fixation
- Fusions
- Ganglion cyst excision
- Injections
- Medication therapy
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
- Physical therapy
- Repair of traumatic injuries (cut tendons/nerves)
- TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) repair
- Tendon repair
- Thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) replacement
- Topical ointment/therapy
- Trigger finger release
- Wrist arthroscopy
Hand & Wrist FAQs
What symptoms indicate I should see a hand and wrist specialist?
If you have persistent pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, stiffness, or swelling in your hand or wrist that interferes with daily activities, it may be time to see a specialist. Early evaluation can help prevent conditions from worsening and improve treatment outcomes.
What causes hand and wrist pain?
Hand and wrist pain can result from arthritis, tendon injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures, ligament injuries, repetitive use, or sports-related trauma. A thorough evaluation helps determine the underlying cause and the most effective treatment plan.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the wrist. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Treatment may include splinting, injections, therapy, or surgery depending on severity.
Will I need surgery for my hand or wrist condition?
Not necessarily. Many hand and wrist conditions can be successfully treated with conservative options such as activity modification, bracing, physical therapy, medications, or injections. Surgery is typically considered only when non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief or when the injury requires immediate intervention.
What types of hand and wrist conditions do orthopedic specialists treat?
Orthopedic hand specialists treat a wide range of conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, fractures, tendon injuries, ligament tears, nerve compression, ganglion cysts, Dupuytren’s contracture, and sports-related injuries.
How long does it take to recover from a hand or wrist injury?
Recovery time varies depending on the condition and treatment approach. Minor sprains may improve within a few weeks, while fractures or surgical procedures may require several months for full recovery. Your physician will provide a personalized recovery timeline based on your specific diagnosis.
Can arthritis in the hand and wrist be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients find relief through non-surgical treatments such as anti-inflammatory medications, splinting, injections, occupational therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Surgery may be considered if symptoms significantly affect daily activities and conservative treatments are no longer effective.
When should I seek care for a hand or wrist injury?
You should schedule an appointment promptly if you have significant swelling, persistent pain, numbness, weakness, limited motion, or symptoms that do not improve with rest. Early evaluation can help prevent long-term complications and restore function more quickly.
However, if you have a severe injury with uncontrolled bleeding, loss of circulation (such as fingers that become pale, blue, or cold), complete inability to move your fingers after a traumatic injury, or you suspect an open fracture, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.