Non surgical techniques that are taken up by the wrist doctor comprise of medications and injections that alleviate the pain and control further degradation of the condition in the wrist. These techniques are:

Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):

Oral medications that are prescribed by the wrist doctor to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain are the first step of treatment. They are commonly known as pain relievers. They are available as capsules, tablets, creams, gels and even injections. The effect of each NSAID on the condition of the patient is almost equal.  They provide relief by blocking the enzymes that create fatty acids that aggravate pain and inflammation.

Approach considerations:

When the patient sustains an injury on the wrist the first step of treatment is application of ice, rest and elevating the wrist to avoid swelling. After an in depth evaluation of the cause and nature of debilitation, medications or surgical technique is advised. Temporary conditions such as strains or sprains are adequately treated by NSAIDs whereas they become the base of providing relief to the patient until alternative technique is implemented, in severe cases such as fractures, dislocation, tendonitis, rheumatoid arthritis.

Expected Benefits:

NSAIDs start to work within hours in providing relief to the patient and are an effective way to stabilize and control the enervating symptoms in mild conditions. They are not effective in all cases but more or less optimum as a stopping factor to the deterioration of the wrist until surgical intervention.

Potential side-effects:

As with any medication, NSAIDs also come with potential complications that may occur when given a high dose or without proper evaluation of past medical history. The potential side effects that might occur after consumption of NSAIDs are-

• - Rashes
• - Fluctuation in Blood Pressure
• - Swelling
• - Stomach related problems
• - Headaches
• - Drowsiness
• - Allergic reaction

NSAIDs are prohibited from being prescribed to a pregnant woman as they can be risky for her. Dose of NSAID should not be mixed with any other medication without wrist doctor’s approval and should only be in taken as much as prescribed.

Steroid Oral Medications or Injections:

Corticosteroids are man- made drugs that are produced from the hormones of the body itself to reduce the activities of immune system of the patient. They are either given to the patient orally or inserted directly into the joint as injections to alleviate the symptoms.  They can be given systematically to the whole body or as local application to the precise area where the problem is. They are included in the multi faceted treatment program as a small part for severe problems and in some cases as an adequate treatment technique.

Approach considerations:

The wrist doctor prescribes steroid medications or injections after an individual assessment of the age, physical activities and already prescribed medicines. The conditions for which steroids are injected into the wrist joint or prescribed orally may be –

• - Rheumatoid Arthritis
• - Gout
• - Tendonitis
• - Bursitis

Steroids are given as injections when the dose of medicine that has to be given to the patient has to be in a higher quantity, directly, as orally the medication fails to reach within the body in adequate amount.

Potential Disadvantages:

Steroids are not the cure for a debilitating condition but they are an effective tool to reduce inflammation and control the enervating pain but they do have their limitations and in rare cases may result in- Infection

• - Allergic reaction
• - Skin discoloration
• - Weakening of the tendon or ligament on which it is being repeatedly given

If the wrist doctor manipulates the steroid injections in an infrequent manner then the complications are rarely felt by patients.

Expected Benefits:

Steroid Injections / medications are an effective way of reducing inflammation and bringing down the persistent pain. The deterioration of the wrist stabilizes and the functionality of the joint improves.  They can cause potential harm to the body in the long run but as a short term technique they are an effective alternative to reduce prevailing symptoms.

More about wrist doctor:

Dr. Vikas Gupta, at present the head of Shoulder and Hand Division at Max Healthcare is one of the best wrist doctors we have in India in the field of upper extremity in present times. He has an experience of more than 25 years in the field and has performed over 6000 successful surgeries.  Being an acclaimed professional who passionately believes in deliverance of techniques to relief his patients of each and any debilitation in the hand, he has a high success ratio in providing relief to his patients.

As an MBBS and MS in Orthopedics from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and post graduate studies from Germany and USA, Dr. Gupta joined AIIMS as assistant professor to acquire experience when he started with his professional career. Gradually he gained finesse in his surgical impartation and tact in his diagnosis; he changed his forte from AIIMS to Fortis to Medanta-The Medicity.

He has been credited for introducing many international and painless techniques and having been honored with many prestigious awards for his contribution he has emerged as an influential role model for his peers and interns. Dr. Gupta has a compassionate approach towards his patients that helps to ease their anxieties and his accurate diagnosis provides him an edge over other wrist doctors.

Max Healthcare, being his present forte of deliverance is a super specialty hospital that believes in providing cost effective and painless techniques to their patients through international deliverance of techniques and a team of ingenious and dedicated professionals.