Hand Doctor

Dedicated to serving the orthopedic needs of Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour, Greensburg, and the surrounding areas since 1976, Southern Indiana Orthopedics offers exceptional hand care from our specialty-trained hand specialists so you can get stronger.

Few things are more debilitating than an injury to your hand. When you have pain or limited mobility in your wrist, fingers, or even your elbow, it can make it extremely hard to complete the simplest tasks. It may be challenging to keep up with daily duties, and without the right treatment, a hand condition can significantly worsen.

You don't have to settle for a hand injury. There are steps you can take to restore function in your upper extremity. The first step is visiting a hand doctor, a surgeon, or a physician specializing in the medical or surgical care of the tendons, ligaments, bones, and nerves of the hand. A hand specialist will be able to diagnose and take care of any hand issue. Our hand doctors can get to the bottom of your injury and recommend the best course of action—whether that's hand surgery or something nonoperative.

When should you pursue medical treatment or hand surgery? Some minor hand injuries will heal on their own, but hand pain and wrist pain should not be taken lightly. Seek care from an orthopedic doctor or hand surgeon if:

  • You experience numbness or tingling that radiates through your hand, wrist, and/or elbow.
  • Your hand pain lasts for more than two or three days.
  • Your hand pain makes it impossible for you to carry out everyday tasks at work or at home.

Our hand doctors treat a full range of injuries and conditions. Common conditions we see include:

  • Arthritis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Dupuytren's contracture
  • Finger joint stiffness
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Mallet finger
  • Nerve compression
  • Nerve injuries
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Sprains
  • Tendon injuries
  • Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) 
  • Wrist fractures

Advanced Hand Care in Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour & Greensburg

When you meet with one of our specialty-trained hand care providers, you'll receive a full evaluation. This may call for the use of our state-of-the-art, on-site medical imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans. This allows our doctors to identify the cause of your hand pain. Once your doctor knows your condition, your doctor will walk you through your treatment options.

Sometimes, hand specialists can recommend some treatment options that don't require hand surgery. For minor injuries, heat, ice, and compression can all help to alleviate pain. Prescribed medication, hand therapy, targeted stretches, and our specialized bracing can also be effective.

From fractures and congenital disorders to nerve issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, our goal is to help each patient make a full recovery from their condition using the least invasive techniques possible, which may include orthopedic surgery in some cases. Your hand surgeon will be able to speak with you more about the specifics of your surgery. This might involve microvascular surgery, reconstructive surgery, joint replacement surgery, arthroscopy, or something else altogether.

Hand pain is always treatable—and the first step is meeting with a physician to determine the best course of treatment. When you're ready to get stronger, consult with one of our specialty-trained hand surgeons to take your first step toward healing with your comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. Call (812) 376-9353 or request an appointment online to see one of our surgeons in Columbus, North Vernon, Seymour, or Greensburg.

We also offer care for hand, wrist, shoulder, and other conditions at our urgent care clinic in Columbus, where walk-ins are welcome and no appointment is necessary.

Orthopedic Urgent Care

With a dedication to providing exceptional, experienced orthopedic care, we have developed our Online Guide to Hand and Upper Extremity Care to provide patients with further information about their injuries and conditions and the treatments available to them. To access our guide, use the button below. 

Access Our Hand & Upper Extremity Guide

The Strength of Experience at Southern Indiana Orthopedics

At Southern Indiana Orthopedics, we have the expertise and technology to provide exceptional orthopedic care dedicated to making you stronger. Our orthopedic surgeons and doctors, including our hand specialists, have extensive, specialized knowledge, training, and experience to provide the treatment you need to reach your goals. Our hand doctors, Dr. Douglas Federle, Dr. Cary Guse, and Dr. Matthew Lovell, are all board-certified and are dedicated to serving patients' individual needs with compassion and exceptional care. 

If you have a hand injury or condition, don't let it go undiagnosed or untreated. Return to a pain-free life, and to full function. Call (812) 376-9353 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online and be seen at our main location in Columbus or at our North Vernon, Seymour, or Greensburg outreach clinics.