Hand and Wrist Pain
Even when we are resting other joints, the wrists and hands are busy. The hands and wrists are involved in nearly every daily activity, from gripping a steering wheel to scratching a mosquito bite.
When hand pain interferes, daily activity comes to a stop. Because of the complicated orthopedic constructions, wrists and hands are susceptible to injury from accidents, misuse and overuse.
Multiple small bones with intricate connections to multiple nerve networks, ligaments and tendons mean our hands are the most sensitive and useful body parts. Also because of the complicated orthopedics, our hands may be the first parts to suffer injury.
The causes of Hand Pain
Hand Pain can be caused by orthopedic conditions including:
- Arthritis-inflammation of the wrist and finger joints
- Ganglion cysts-a fluid-filled lump caused by inflammation of the joint linings or tendon sheaths
- Carpel tunnel syndrome-numbness and tingling caused by pressure on the median nerve in the hand
- Tendonitis-inflammation and swelling of the sheath surrounding the thumb tendons
- Dupuytren’s contracture – hereditary orthopedic thickening of the fascia tissue just below the skin of the palm that may eventually pull the fingers into the palm
- Trigger finger – inflammation and swelling of the tendon sheath causing the tendon to catch and suddenly release, imitating pulling and releasing a trigger
- Smoking – exacerbates Dupuytren’s disease
Orthopedic Treatment and Prevention
Recommended orthopedic treatment for wrist and hand pain includes:
- Rest
- Immobilization using special orthopedic supports
- Ice
- Heat
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Orthopedic stretching exercises
- Modification of specific orthopedic activities
- Orthopedic support and orthopedic immobilization products specifically constructed for wrist and hand pain.
