Bellaire Orthopedic Surgery: Hand, Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder Care
Your hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders work together in nearly everything you do, from typing and cooking to swinging a racket or lifting a grandchild. When pain, stiffness, numbness, or an injury affects any part of the arm, it can quickly limit your work, hobbies, and independence.
This guide gives Bellaire residents an overview of the conditions and injuries Dr. David R. Sollaccio treats, from the fingertips to the shoulder, along with the nonsurgical and surgical options available. Dr. Sollaccio is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the hand and upper extremity, helping patients restore mobility, relieve pain, and return to the activities they love.
Hand & Upper Extremity Care in Bellaire, TX
Known as the “City of Homes,” Bellaire is a close-knit community of tree-lined streets, neighborhood parks, and families who stay active at every age. Whether you’re gardening, playing tennis, or working at a keyboard all day, an injury or painful condition in your hand, elbow, or shoulder can get in the way.
Dr. Sollaccio practices with Fondren Orthopedic Group and sees patients at offices a short drive from Bellaire. When you call, the scheduling team can help you find the most convenient location and appointment time. He trained at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the University of Florida College of Medicine, and the USC Keck School of Medicine, and he brings advanced skills in ligament repair, arthritis management, and fracture treatment.
Hand & Finger Conditions & Injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and first fingers, often waking people at night. Splints and injections help many patients, and carpal tunnel release surgery relieves pressure on the nerve when symptoms persist.
- Trigger finger. A thickened tendon sheath can make a finger or thumb catch, click, or lock. A splint or injection often helps, and trigger finger release can restore smooth motion.
- Finger tendon injuries. Cuts and sports injuries can damage the tendons that bend and straighten the fingers. Prompt finger tendon repair gives the best chance of restoring motion and strength.
- Hand and thumb arthritis. Arthritis commonly affects the base of the thumb and the finger joints, causing pain, stiffness, and weak pinch strength. When splints, therapy, and injections no longer help, hand arthritis surgery or basilar thumb joint surgery can relieve pain and improve function.
- Dupuytren’s contracture. Thickened cords in the palm can gradually pull fingers into a bent position. Dupuytren surgery releases the cords so the fingers can straighten.
- Fractures and nerve injuries. Broken fingers and hand bones, along with nerve injuries from cuts or trauma, need careful treatment to protect strength and sensation.
Wrist Conditions & Injuries
- Wrist fractures. Falling onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of a broken wrist. Many fractures heal in a cast, while displaced or unstable breaks may need wrist fracture surgery to restore alignment.
- Sprains and ligament injuries. Falls and twisting injuries can stretch or tear the ligaments that stabilize the wrist. Ongoing pain, clicking, or weakness after a “sprain” should be evaluated, since some ligament tears need repair.
- Tendinitis. Repetitive typing, lifting, gripping, or sports can inflame the tendons around the wrist, including De Quervain’s tenosynovitis on the thumb side. Rest, splinting, therapy, and injections usually help.
- Wrist arthritis and ongoing pain. Old injuries, wear, and inflammatory arthritis can cause stiffness and pain with gripping and lifting. A thorough evaluation pinpoints the source and the best way to manage it.
Elbow Conditions & Injuries
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Repeated gripping and swinging strain the tendons on the outside or inside of the elbow. Most cases improve with bracing, therapy, and activity changes, and tennis elbow surgery is an option for stubborn cases.
- Elbow sprains and ligament injuries. Falls and repetitive throwing can injure the ligaments that stabilize the elbow. More severe injuries may require elbow ligament repair.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome. Pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow causes numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers. Cubital tunnel release relieves the pressure when nonsurgical care isn’t enough.
- Biceps tendon tears. Lifting something heavy can tear the biceps tendon at the elbow, often with a pop and weakness turning the palm up. Biceps tendon repair is usually most effective soon after the injury.
- Fractures, arthritis, and bursitis. Elbow fracture surgery restores alignment after serious breaks, while elbow arthritis surgery or elbow joint replacement can relieve pain and stiffness from advanced arthritis. Bursitis, swelling at the tip of the elbow, often improves with rest and protection but should be checked promptly if it’s red, warm, or painful.
Shoulder Conditions & Injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries. Tendinitis and tears of the rotator cuff cause pain when reaching overhead, weakness, and pain at night. Many patients improve with therapy and injections, and rotator cuff repair surgery can restore strength when a tendon is torn.
- Impingement and bursitis. When the rotator cuff tendons and bursa get pinched during overhead motion, they become irritated and painful. Shoulder decompression surgery can create more space when conservative care doesn’t help.
- Shoulder arthritis. Worn cartilage causes deep aching, stiffness, and grinding. Treatment ranges from therapy and injections to shoulder arthritis surgery and shoulder joint replacement for advanced cases.
Orthopedic Treatment & Surgery Options
Every patient’s condition, goals, and lifestyle are different, so Dr. Sollaccio builds personalized treatment plans using the full range of options, from splints, therapy, medications, and injections to advanced surgical procedures. He emphasizes patient education, explaining each option clearly so you can make an informed decision about your care.
Schedule a visit for pain, numbness, weakness, or stiffness that lasts more than a few weeks. Seek prompt care for a suspected fracture or dislocation, a cut that affects finger movement or feeling, or a sudden pop followed by weakness. Fondren Orthopedic Group also offers same-day and urgent-care visits for acute injuries.
Schedule a Visit With a Bellaire Orthopedic Surgeon
If pain, numbness, stiffness, or an injury is affecting your hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder, our Bellaire orthopedic surgeon can help find the cause and the right treatment. Schedule an appointment online or call our office to get started.
