Skilled Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Wrist Surgeon serving Los Angeles & Van Nuys
Dr. Ahluwalia is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in wrist surgery.
Why Choose Dr. Raj Ahluwalia as your Wrist Surgeon?
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best wrist surgeon to guide you through the surgery process.
When choosing a surgeon to treat your wrist pain, you want one who is specially trained in the anatomy of the wrist and how it functions. Dr. Raj Ahluwalia is one of Los Angeles’s top orthopedic wrist surgeons and is double board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.
Dr. Raj Ahluwalia is an orthopedic specialist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and a recognized expert provider of diagnosis and surgery for wrist injuries and conditions.
Finding a surgeon you trust is one of the most important decisions you will make regarding your care. Dr. Raj Ahluwalia uses the most up-to-date, minimally-invasive surgical techniques to treat your wrist condition and is dedicated to providing compassionate care that gets you back on the road to wellness.
Experiencing wrist pain? Consider seeing a wrist surgeon.
Because the use of our wrists and hands is so important, wrist pain is at best an annoying interference and at worst a debilitating condition that can have a major effect on your lifestyle and keep you from performing routine, everyday activities.
If you are experiencing wrist symptoms like the ones listed below, it may be time to make an appointment with a physician for further evaluation and diagnosis:
Reasons to Seek Out Treatment
- Pain and stiffness in your wrist
- Unable to rotate your wrist due to stiffness
- Pain when using your wrist for normal, everyday activities
- Tingling sensations in the wrist
- Weakness or inability to hold items in your hands
The type of wrist pain most people experience is largely dependent on the cause. For some people, wrist pain may be dull and aching, while for others it’s sharp and stabbing. No matter how it presents itself, wrist pain is a common complaint with a variety of potential symptoms and causes, ranging from arthritis to carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’ve experienced a sports wrist injury, wrist accident, or are suffering from a wrist condition, orthopedic wrist surgeon Dr. Raj Ahluwalia offers complete diagnosis and treatment.
Conditions Treated with Wrist Surgery in Los Angeles
Wrist Surgery for Arthritis
Arthritis of the wrist is most common in two forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that is seen frequently in older patients. It happens as a result of the normal wear and tear of age. Over time the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to wear away, causing bone to rub on bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disorder. This means that the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue. The result of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation and joint pain.
Wrist Surgery for Injury
Injury is another typical cause of wrist pain. Wrist injuries generally occur in two types: impact injuries and repetitive stress injuries.
Impact injuries are most commonly seen when someone uses his or her wrist to brace a fall. Fractures, sprains, and strains are all common types of impact injuries that occur in the wrist.
Repetitive stress injuries happen when the wrist is used for a repetitive motion. This can be the result of a job or sport. When the joint is overused in this kind of repetitive movement, the tissue gets swollen. Repetitive stress can also cause a stress fracture, a tiny crack that occurs in the bone.
Wrist Surgery for Certain Diseases and Conditions
Wrist pain can be caused by a number of other diseases and disorders that affect the joints and bones, such as:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome — pressure on the median nerve in the wrist causes tingling, numbness, and weakness
- Tendon Sheath Inflammation — the tendon sheath becomes irritated due to various conditions that lead to pain and sometimes swelling.
- Ganglion Cysts — fluid filled bumps appear on the wrists
- Kienbock’s Disease — blood supply is compromised to the bone, causing the bone to break down
Dr. Raj Ahluwalia is a leading orthopedic wrist surgeon serving the Los Angeles area
What is the Process for Treating My Wrist Pain?
The first step to getting the proper treatment for your wrist pain is getting an accurate diagnosis of the cause. To do this, your doctor will take your history, assess your symptoms, and give you a physical examination. Imaging or nerve tests may also be done to help better understand the cause of your wrist pain.
Common imaging tests include X-rays, CT scan, MRI, and bone scan. Nerve tests are done if your doctor suspects you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. Your doctor may also choose to look inside your wrist using an arthroscope, a minimally-invasive instrument with a tiny camera.
Conservative treatment for wrist pain typically involves a regimen of physical therapy and medication. Some people, however, may require surgery to eliminate their wrist pain. Wrist surgery is commonly performed to repair broken bones as well as damaged tendons or ligaments. In some cases, surgery is also used to treat severe carpal tunnel syndrome.
When the wrist is broken, treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of the fracture and the age of the patient. For older patients and in minimally displaced fractures, casting may be an effective method. For patients with more complicated fractures, surgery may be necessary. During broken wrist surgery, screws, pins, or plates may be used to help hold the bone in place.
Am I a Candidate for Wrist Surgery?
Whether or not you are a good candidate for wrist surgery depends on many factors. The best way to find out is by meeting with a doctor, describing your symptoms and how they affect your life, and listing the activities that make your pain or functioning worse. From there, they’ll determine if your wrist condition should be managed through surgical or non-surgical care.
If it is determined that you are a good fit for wrist surgery, there’s good news – a variety of wrist surgeries can now be performed on an outpatient basis with minimally invasive techniques that result in fewer complications and faster recovery times.
What Can I Expect After Wrist Surgery?
The recovery period after wrist surgery depends on each individual patient. However, it is common for the wrist to be immobilized for up to six weeks after the procedure. Many patients will need to undergo physical therapy after the bone has healed to regain strength and flexibility in the joint.
Wrist surgeon Dr. Raj Ahluwalia will provide support and detailed instructions for you to follow post-surgery for a safe and successful recovery and rehabilitation period.
If you are ready for an expert sports medicine and orthopedic wrist surgeon’s opinion on your wrist pain and want to discuss your surgical treatment options, make an appointment online or call our Los Angeles and Van Nuys office to get started.