What You Need to Know About Hand and Wrist Injuries

Hand pain is a common problem and can be caused by various factors, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational hand injuries, and sports injuries. All your Cumming hand & wrist structures must work together to produce smooth movements and allow force production during lifting or fine motor tasks. Any disruption in normal function can lead to symptoms of pain and discomfort. Often, multiple factors cause hand pain, but identifying the primary cause is key to developing an effective treatment plan.

Here are the most prevalent hand and wrist injuries

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by repetitive stress on the median nerve in your wrist. When you perform a repetitive motion such as typing, pressure builds up on the nerve from tendons as they pass through a small tunnel at the base of your palm. This pressure causes inflammation and swelling, which in turn presses on the nerve. If left untreated for several months, permanent damage to the nerve can occur.

Wrist fractures

Wrist fractures are one of the most common hand and wrist injuries. Due to their location, they can be extremely painful, especially if they affect any of the nerves in this area. Wrist fractures can be caused by an impact with a hard surface, falling or jumping from a height, or a direct blow to the forearm. Treatment for wrist fractures is generally based on the severity of the injury.

Metacarpal fracture

A metacarpal fracture can occur to one of the five long bones in the hand. These bones, also known as metacarpals, make up the palm side of the fingers and are numbered from first to fifth, starting with the thumb. The metacarpals are shorter than the phalanges-the bones that make up the fingertip but are still crucial for mobility and grip strength.

Their shape resembles an inverted cup or bowl and acts as connectors between the long finger and wrist bones. A broken metacarpal can be very painful and require immediate medical attention if broken in several places. Therefore, knowing how to recognize this type of injury and what you should do if you believe you have sustained a fracture is essential.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the thumb to the palm of your hand and allow you to move your thumb in all directions. This inflammation is most commonly caused by repetitive movements at work or in sports activities. Resting your hands and wearing a brace until symptoms disappear is crucial. If not treated, this condition can damage tendons permanently.

Trigger finger

A trigger finger is a fairly common injury that develops in response to repetitive motions, particularly when it comes to grasping objects. The condition is caused by inflammation of the sheath that surrounds the tendons in the finger, resulting in a locking of the tendon at the base of the finger. This inflammation can be caused by repetitive stress on the tendon or an underlying injury or illness.

A trigger finger first manifests with pain and swelling in the affected digit. Increased pressure from flexing the finger will cause locking and pain as time passes. Because of this, it can be challenging to open and close the affected finger.

A hand or wrist injury can cause pain and discomfort. While pain from a previous injury may last for weeks, months, or even years, the overwhelming majority of hand and wrist injuries will heal with time, rest, and proper treatment. The best treatment for any particular hand or wrist injury depends on what is causing the problem. Therefore, to determine the best treatment for your particular situation, it is crucial to consult Stephen Fisher, M.D., so he can examine you and conduct tests to help identify the source of your pain.