Swollen fingers and general swelling in the hands and arms is common with many injuries and medical conditions. It is important to identify the cause so that appropriate treatment can be started, and complications can be avoided.

In a swan neck deformity, the middle joint of a finger is extended (bent back) more than normal. The end joint is flexed (bent down).

A variety of problems can cause stiff hands, limiting the use and function that we often take for granted. Stiffness can occur when there are problems within and around the structures of a joint, including ligaments and muscles.

A sprained wrist is usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion. The wrist is usually bent backwards or into an abnormal position.

A sprain is an injury to a ligament, which is a soft tissue that connects bones to each other at joints.

The most common ligament to be injured in the thumb is the ulnar collateral ligament. This helps connect the thumb to the hand on the side near the index finger.

Cancer of the skin is a change in your skin cells during which they grow abnormally and form a malignant tumor. These abnormal cells can invade your body, become implanted in other organs, and continue to grow, a process called metastasis.

Skiing and snowboarding are some of the most popular winter sports and can result in different injuries to the upper extremity. Fortunately, there are some ways to decrease the chance for injury.

The shoulder is a ball and socket joint that allows a wide range of movement. Injury or degradation of the joint structures, from the muscles and soft tissues to the bones, can result in shoulder pain.

A shoulder fracture can result from a fall on the shoulder, a motor vehicle accident, contact sports, etc. The type of shoulder fracture varies by age. Most fractures in children occur in the clavicle bone (collarbone). In adults, the most common fracture is of the top part of the humerus (upper arm bone).

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder arthritis. This is also known as degenerative joint disease. Less common types of shoulder arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory) and traumatic arthritis.