The Only Dedicated Orthopedic Hand & Upper Extremity Clinic in the Tri-Cities

Schedule an Appointment

Expert Care for Hands, Wrists & Elbows: From Fingertips to Elbows

Living with hand, wrist, or elbow pain can make even the simplest tasks frustrating. Whether you're struggling with thumb arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injuries, fractures, sports injuries, or work-related trauma, Dr. Cathryn Vadala provides advanced orthopedic care using the latest nonsurgical and surgical treatments to restore function, relieve pain, and help you get back to living your life.

Finally, Relief for Thumb Arthritis Without Traveling Out of Town

TOUCH™ CMC Thumb Joint Replacement tri cities washington

If you've been living with thumb pain, weakness, or difficulty gripping everyday objects, you no longer need to travel to Seattle or Spokane for advanced care.

Dr. Cathryn Vadala is currently the only orthopedic hand surgeon in Southeastern Washington to offer the revolutionary TOUCH™ CMC Thumb Joint Replacement.

Designed specifically for patients with painful thumb arthritis, this innovative procedure restores strength, improves mobility, and relieves pain so you can get back to gardening, golfing, cooking, writing, opening jars, and enjoying everyday life again.

Learn More about TOUCH™ CMC Thumb Joint Replacement.

We Treat Everything From Fingertips to Elbows

Whether your pain developed suddenly after an injury or gradually over time, we provide comprehensive orthopedic care for conditions affecting the entire upper extremity. We specialize in:

  • Traumatic Hand and wrist injuries can cause significant pain and keep you from performing daily tasks. We offer comprehensive treatment plans to address these issues effectively.

    Thumb fractures

    Hand fractures

    Wrist fractures

    Buckle fractures

    Scaphoid fractures

    Fingertip injuries

    Nail bed injuries

    Dislocations

    Crush Injuries

    Lacerations

    Elbow fractures

    Amputations

    Gun shot wounds

  • Arthritis can be debilitating. We offer various treatment options, including medication, therapy, and surgery, to manage arthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life.

    Osteoarthritis

    Bone Spurs

    Rheumatoid arthritis

    Wrist Replacement

    Elbow Replacement

    Finger Joint Replacement

  • Tendonitis and ligament injuries can cause significant pain and limit your mobility. We offer comprehensive treatment plans to address these issues effectively.

    Flexor tendon injury

    Tendonitis

    Wrist ligament tear

    Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament

    Dequervain syndrome

    Finger Sprains

    Mallet Finger

  • Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Our specialist provides surgical and non-surgical treatments to relieve nerve compression.

    Carpal Tunnel Release

    Cubital tunnel syndrome

  • Trigger digits can be painful due to limited motion and locking symptoms. We offer non-surgical and surgical treatment for this condition.

    Trigger Finger

    Trigger Thumb

  • Ganglion cysts are common, benign lumps that can develop along the tendons or joints of your wrists or hands. We provide effective treatments to remove these cysts and alleviate discomfort.

    Ganglion cyst

    Fatty tumors

    Hand tumors

  • This disease process often runs in families or can be due to trauma leading to stiffness and loss of motion of the fingers. We use minimal techniques whenever possible for treatment and quick recovery

  • Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat joint problems. Dr. Vadala uses the latest arthroscopic techniques to treat wrist and elbow conditions with minimal recovery time.

    Chronic wrist pain

    Kienböck's disease

    Tennis elbow

    Joint stiffness

    Wrist fractures

    Ligament tears

  • Children can also suffer from hand, wrist, and elbow conditions. Our pediatric care services are designed to address these issues with gentle, effective treatment tailored to young patients.

    Congenital differences

    Fractures

    Tendon Injuries

  • Rehabilitation is a crucial part of recovery. Our occupational therapy services help patients regain strength and function after surgery or injury.

    Non-Surgical treatment available for many upper extremity conditions.

    Post-Operative Care

  • Injuries sustained at work can be particularly challenging. We provide specialized care to help you recover quickly and return to your job with confidence.

Read More About Our Services

Personalized Treatment. Surgery Only When You Need It.

Most hand, wrist, and elbow conditions can often be treated without surgery. Our goal is always to begin with the least invasive treatment that offers the best chance of lasting relief. Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

  • Physical Therapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Custom Splints

  • Bracing

  • PRP Therapy

  • Cortisone Injections

  • Anti-inflammatory Medications

  • Peptide Therapy

  • Minimally Invasive Procedures

  • Advanced Reconstructive Surgery

When surgery is the best option, you can feel confident knowing you're in the hands of a dedicated fellowship trained orthopedic hand surgeon

Regenerative Treatments Designed to Help You Heal

PRP therapy injection tri cities washington hand elbow wrist upper extremity

We're proud to offer advanced regenerative treatment options, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and peptide therapy, to support healing, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery for select orthopedic conditions.

Whether you're recovering from surgery or trying to avoid it altogether, these treatments may help your body heal more effectively.

Read More About PRP Therapy
Read More About Peptide Therapy

Trusted Throughout Southeastern Washington

Patients travel from throughout:

Kennewick • Richland • Pasco • Hermiston • Walla Walla • Yakima • Moses Lake • Pendleton

because specialized orthopedic hand care simply isn't available everywhere.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Dr. Cathryn Vadala is double board certified in orthopedics and hand surgery. She completed a subspecialty fellowship in Hand/Elbow surgery.

  • As a new patient, please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time and bring:

    1. Your insurance card (including primary and any supplemental insurance).

    2. Picture ID

    3. A referral if your insurance requires one (if you are not sure, please call your insurance company).

    4. All of your charts, test results, operation reports, and/or x-rays from all the doctors you have seen for your condition.

    5. List of current medications.

  • åConsult with the Doctor: You will meet with Dr. Vadala first who will evaluate your hand or upper extremity condition. 

    Diagnostic tests: If you need them, Dr. Vadala will order X-Rays or diagnostic tests to accurately diagnose your condition. She will then discuss all options with you and this will determine your treatment plan.

    Comprehensive treatment plan: Many hand and upper extremity conditions do not require surgery and there are other options to support the healing and recovery process. If that is the case, we will provide you with an alternative to surgery such as splinting and bracing, medications, injections or occupational therapy.

    Surgery: If you need surgery, we can walk you through the surgery process and address any questions or concerns you may have. One of our schedulers will set you up with surgery date in the future.

  • Check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered for our services. You can do this by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. Please familiarize yourself with your policy and what services are covered.

    Co-payments, deductibles and account balances are due at the time of service and are ultimately your responsibility. We accept cash or credit cards.

  • Dr. Vadala treats the full upper extremity — from fingertips to elbows — including tendon injuries, arthritis, nerve compression, and fractures.

  • TOUCH™ is an advanced implant used to replace the damaged joint at the base of the thumb in patients with thumb arthritis. Dr. Vadala is among the first surgeons in Southeastern Washington to offer it.

  • Yes, Dr. Vadala provides pediatric upper extremity care for fractures, sports injuries, and hand conditions in children, with treatment plans tailored to a child's age and development.

  • Click here to read our full appointment cancellation policy.

  • "My daughter had previously seen a different doctor about an injury she recently had, I was not comfortable with what he had told us so we came to see Dr. Vadala. I felt heard and like she really cared about my daughter, she gave us instructions that I felt much more comfortable with and I feel like she will heal much better."

    Rebecca

  • "I am grateful to have found Dr. Vadala. Under her care I was able to avoid surgery and regain full use of my hand. Dr Vadala was prompt, honest, knowledgeable and kind. I had a 75% chance of avoiding surgery to regain full function of my hand. I followed Dr. Vadala’s instructions to a T and now I'm good-as-gold! No pain and full use of my hand again, with no sign of the injury! I'm so thankful for Dr. Vadala and highly recommended her."

    Loshan

  • "When other orthopedic surgeons in the tri-cities chose not to help me with my broken finger, Dr. Vadala set up immediate X-rays and upon seeing the level of damage re-arranged her schedule to get me into surgery. She then set up immediate physical therapy to maximize recovery. Her commitment to the welfare of her patients is second to none."

    Tom

  • "Dr. Vadala was personable and provided a thorough explanation for my issue. I appreciated the computer graphic of a contracture. The steroid injection, in my finger, was quick and painless. That cold spray is fantastic! I will definitely refer friends and family to Dr. Vadala, should they have any hand/finger issues. My finger already feels back to normal and it’s only been one day."

    Tana

  • 'Dr. Vadala took care of 2 separate surgeries on my elbows and wrists. She is caring and helped take pain away in my arms. I drive 3 hours to see Dr. Vadala and it's worth having someone as skilled as her do the surgeries. Highly recommend Dr. Vadala."

    TJay

  • "I really appreciate that Dr. Vadala asks me my concerns and follows through. Her technique was different than other surgeries I've had and I liked it better. She actually came in after my stitches were taken out and checked on me unlike other doctors who pawn their patients off to their PA. I will stick with her."

    Lani

  • "Dr. Vadala is wonderful professional. She performed surgery on the base of my arthritic thumb and now I have full motion and strength back. I am able to expertly play the piano again without pain and perform my job as a health physics technician. She was extremely good at fixing my problem!! Thank You Dr. Vadala."

    Robin

  • "I had a LRTI thumb joint replacement surgery 7 months ago. I knew something was wrong but my surgeon kept telling me everything was fine. I saw Dr. Vadala and she confirmed that my surgery would have to be redone. She explained everything very well to me which I needed. I’m very happy that I now have a surgeon that can help me feel better."

    Dinah

  • "Fantastic staff who love their jobs. From the receptionists to Dr. Vadala, you know that all these people care about you and improving your quality of life. You’re on a first name basis with everyone, even by nursing staff who aren’t directly involved with your care. Dr. Vadala herself sets the tone for the workplace, her positive energy, her vast knowledge of hand anatomy and physiology (which she freely shares with you and the staff), and her upbeat attitude are what make this office the place for any hand difficulties you might have!! I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Vadala and her staff to everyone!!!!!"

    David Graves

Read More Reviews from Happy Patients

Dr. Cathryn Vadala, MD

Dr. Cathryn Vadala is an Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon renowned for her expertise, compassion and commitment to excellence in patient care. With over ten years of experience in the field, Doctor Vadala has dedicated her career to helping people regain function and alleviate pain in their hands, wrists, elbows and upper extremities.

Don't Let Hand Pain Control Your Life

Whether you're experiencing numbness, weakness, arthritis, an injury, or chronic pain, we're here to help.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cathryn Vadala today and discover why patients throughout Southeastern Washington/Northeastern Oregon trust The Hand Clinic of Tri-Cities for expert orthopedic care.

Schedule an Appointment