Finding Relief From Hand and Elbow Pain That’s Holding You Back

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On the Grand Strand, staying active is a way of life — whether you’re on the pickleball court, finishing your back nine, or just trying to get through a day of work without your hand going numb. Your hands, wrists, and elbows are doing a lot. And when something goes wrong, it can affect everything: gripping a club, swinging a paddle, opening a jar, even buttoning a shirt.

The good news is that most hand and elbow conditions that limit motion are very treatable — and Dr. Erica Umpierrez, Dr. Erica Umpierrez‘ fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon, is here to help Grand Strand residents find real relief.

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Why Hand and Elbow Problems Happen

Your hands, wrists, and elbows rely on a precisely coordinated system of nerves, tendons, joints, and bones. When any one part becomes irritated, compressed, or worn down, you feel it fast.

“A lot of what I see comes down to two basic problems,” says Dr. Umpierrez. “Either something doesn’t have enough space to move freely, or something isn’t gliding the way it should. Both can be painful and both can progressively limit what you’re able to do.”

For active adults on the Grand Strand, repetitive motion is often a factor — the same swing, the same grip, repeated hundreds of times over months and years. But these conditions also develop simply as a result of aging, prior injuries, or anatomy. The important thing to know is this: they don’t have to be permanent.

Common Conditions That Limit Motion

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist. For golfers and pickleball players, grip strength is everything — and carpal tunnel can quietly erode it long before people connect the dots.

You may notice:

  • Numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
  • Symptoms that are worst at night or first thing in the morning
  • Weakness or a tendency to drop objects unexpectedly

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the ulnar nerve at the elbow — the same nerve behind that familiar “funny bone” sensation. Keeping the elbow bent for long periods, like during a golf follow-through or holding a phone, can aggravate symptoms.

Common signs include:

  • Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers
  • Weak grip and hand clumsiness
  • Muscle wasting in more advanced cases

 Trigger Finger

Trigger finger happens when a tendon catches as it moves through a tight sheath in the finger, causing a painful locking or snapping sensation.

“Trigger finger is something patients often try to manage on their own for too long,” Dr. Umpierrez notes. “When it doesn’t work itself out, it usually gets worse — and early treatment is almost always simpler.”

You might experience clicking or popping when bending a finger, a finger that locks in a bent position, or pain and stiffness at the base of the finger — especially in the morning.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

This condition affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist and is particularly common among golfers and racquet sport players due to repetitive gripping and twisting. Symptoms include pain and swelling near the base of the thumb, discomfort when pinching or gripping, and difficulty with tasks like opening jars or turning a key.

Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

Both conditions involve tendon damage at the elbow from repetitive use — and despite the names, you don’t have to play either sport to develop them.

Tennis elbow affects the outer elbow and is aggravated by extension movements like gripping and lifting. Golfer’s elbow affects the inner elbow and is associated with the swing mechanics of golf and the repetitive motions of pickleball. “I see a lot of both in this community — and I completely understand the frustration,” says Dr. Umpierrez, who is working on her own golf game. “The good news is there are very effective, nonsurgical options that get most people back on the course or the court.”

Hand, wrist, or elbow pain getting in the way of your game — or your day? Dr. Erica Umpierrez, M.D., is a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon at CMC Orthopaedics, accepting new patients. Call 843-347-8041 or schedule online. Learn more at conwaymedicalcenter.com/providers/erica-umpierrez-md.

How Dr. Umpierrez Evaluates These Conditions

Every evaluation starts with a conversation. Dr. Umpierrez takes time to understand the full picture — how long symptoms have been present, what makes them better or worse, and what the patient’s goals are.

“I want to know what’s important to you,” she says. “Whether that’s getting back to pickleball, holding your grandkids without pain, or making it through a workday comfortably — those goals shape the plan.”

From there, a physical exam assesses motion, strength, nerve function, and tenderness. When additional information is needed, she may recommend nerve conduction studies, ultrasound imaging, or X-rays to complete the picture.

Treatment Options That Get You Back to Doing What You Love

 Most patients are relieved to learn that surgery is not the starting point. Dr. Umpierrez favors the most conservative approach that will effectively address the problem.

Nonsurgical options may include activity modification, splinting or bracing, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, and hand therapy — all focused on reducing irritation and restoring function.

Surgical care becomes a consideration when conservative treatment isn’t enough or when a condition has progressed significantly. Dr. Umpierrez is trained in minimally invasive and arthroscopic approaches, which typically mean smaller incisions and faster recovery.

“Surgery is a tool, not a first resort,” she explains. “When it’s the right answer, it can be genuinely life-changing. But we get there thoughtfully.”

CMC Orthopaedics offers comprehensive hand and upper extremity care — from your first evaluation through recovery. Dr. Umpierrez is board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and fellowship trained at the renowned Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. She is fluent in Spanish and welcomes patients of all ages. Call 843-347-8041 or learn more at conwaymedicalcenter.com/services/orthopedics/hand-and-wrist.

When It’s Time to See a Specialist

 Don’t wait on these symptoms. Schedule an evaluation if you have:

  • Persistent numbness, tingling, or burning in the hand or fingers
  • Weakness or grip loss that isn’t improving
  • A finger that clicks, locks, or won’t move smoothly
  • Hand, wrist, or elbow pain lasting more than a few weeks
  • Symptoms waking you up at night

The longer these conditions go unaddressed, the greater the risk of nerve damage or muscle loss that’s harder to reverse. Early evaluation almost always leads to simpler treatment and better outcomes.

Your hands and elbows do more work in a day than most people appreciate — until something hurts. Whether it’s a round of golf, a morning on the pickleball court, or simply living without pain, you deserve to feel your best. Dr. Umpierrez and the team at CMC Orthopaedics are here to help you get there.

Why Choose Dr. Erica Umpierrez?

  • Subspecialty training in hand and upper extremity surgery
  • Cutting-edge surgical techniques
  • Compassionate, patient-centered approach
  • Proven track record of successful outcomes
  • Fluent in Spanish
  • Welcoming patients of all ages

Healing Is In Your Future

If you have pain in your fingers, hand, wrist, or arm, Dr. Umpierrez has the experience to help you get the relief you need.  She specializes in the treatment of both simple and complex hand and upper extremity conditions as well as general orthopedic trauma.  She is also fellowship-trained in modern microsurgical techniques including nerve and vessel reconstruction. Dr. Erica Umpierrez and her team at CMC Orthopaedics are ready to help you get a grip on your pain and back to doing the things you love.

Contact CMC Orthopaedics to schedule a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Erica Umpierrez. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized, advanced care tailored to your unique needs.

Take the First Step Towards Being Pain Free. Call us today at 843-347-8041 to book your appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • Common conditions including carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, trigger finger, De Quervain’s, and tennis or golfer’s elbow are highly treatable when caught early.
  • Repetitive activities like golf and pickleball are contributing factors, but these conditions also develop from aging, anatomy, and prior injuries.
  • Most respond well to nonsurgical treatment; surgery is a thoughtful option when conservative care isn’t enough.
  • Dr. Erica Umpierrez, M.D., is CMC Orthopaedics’ fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon — board-certified, Spanish-speaking, and accepting new patients in Conway.
  • Call CMC Orthopaedics at 843-347-8041 to schedule a consultation.

Erica Umpierrez, MD

CMC Orthopaedics

Fellowship trained in Hand and Upper Extremity at the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center

Dr. Umpierrez is a fellowship trained hand and upper extremity surgeon who specializes in all conditions of the arm, including fractures, arthritis, tendon disorders, sports injuries, and nerve compression or damage. She is trained in arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgical approaches, and microvascular surgery. Dr. Umpierrez adopts a personal approach to each patient, taking time to understand them in order to develop a collaborative treatment plan that addresses their individual goals.

Tell us about your hand and wrist pain.  We’re here to help you today!


All content of this article is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based on any content of this article.
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