Suffering from Hand Pain?
The wrist is a complex joint made up of many small bones. Damage to any part of your wrist can be painful, ranging from dull aches to sharp stabbing pain, and can affect your ability to use your wrist and hand. When we speak of wrist pain than we mean pain in the conjunction of the wrist joint, the area between the hand and the lower arm. There are various causes for wrist pain but the most common cause is a sprained wrist. A sprained wrist is something that is frequently seen with athletes. Athletes are more prone to fall or misuse their hand than other people and when they fall or make a wrong movement they could fall on their hands and sprain their wrist. Below are the list of hand problem:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve which runs from the forearm into the hand becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. This results in pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm.
How is it diagnosed? A physical examination help determine if the syndrome are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder and can rule out other painful conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. Electromyography is often used to confirm the diagnosis. This involves a fine needle being inserted into a muscle where electrical activities are viewed on a screen determining the severity of damage to the median nerve. Ultrasound imaging can also show impaired movement of the median nerve.
What are the causes? Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture. It can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy and obesity.
What are the treatments? Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible under a doctor’s direction. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling. Surgery is recommended if symptoms last for more than 6 months. Surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve.
How is it diagnosed? A physical examination help determine if the syndrome are related to daily activities or to an underlying disorder and can rule out other painful conditions that mimic carpal tunnel syndrome. Electromyography is often used to confirm the diagnosis. This involves a fine needle being inserted into a muscle where electrical activities are viewed on a screen determining the severity of damage to the median nerve. Ultrasound imaging can also show impaired movement of the median nerve.
What are the causes? Carpal tunnel syndrome is often the result of a combination of factors that increase pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel, rather than a problem with the nerve itself. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition. Other contributing factors include trauma or injury to the wrist that cause swelling, such as sprain or fracture. It can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, pregnancy and obesity.
What are the treatments? Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome should begin as early as possible under a doctor’s direction. Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling. Surgery is recommended if symptoms last for more than 6 months. Surgery involves severing the band of tissue around the wrist to reduce pressure on the median nerve.
Boxers Fracture
What is Boxer Fracture? A boxer’s fracture is the common name for a fracture at the neck of a metacarpal bone, whose head participates in forming the knuckles of the hand. The fracture usually occurs at the neck of the metacarpal , which forms the knuckle of the little finger.
What is the causes? It is usually caused by the impact of a clenched fist with a skull or a hard, immovable object. The knuckle of the index finger tends to lead the rest of the knuckles in a hard punch, and the knuckle compresses and snaps the neck of the metacarpal bone.
What are the treatment?
What is the causes? It is usually caused by the impact of a clenched fist with a skull or a hard, immovable object. The knuckle of the index finger tends to lead the rest of the knuckles in a hard punch, and the knuckle compresses and snaps the neck of the metacarpal bone.
What are the treatment?
- Splint
- Anti-swelling Medication
- Surgical Treatment
Wrist Ganglion Cyst
What is Ganglion of the Wrist? A wrist ganglion is a swelling that generally occurs over the back of the hand or wrist. These are benign, fluid-filled capsules. Ganglions are not cancerous. Although they may grow in size, they will not spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of Ganglion of the Wrist The ganglion usually appears as a bump or mass that which appear over time or appear suddenly. It may also get smaller in size and even go away, only to come back at another time.
What are the causes? The cause of ganglions is not known. One possible cause is the trauma causing the tissue of the joint or tendon sheath to break down forming small cysts, which then join into a larger, more obvious mass. The most likely cause involves a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out.
What are the treatments? Many cysts (38-58%) disappear without any treatment at all. Treatments include using a needle to remove the cyst’s contents (aspiration). Surgical removal of the cyst is needed when the mass is painful, interferes with function especially when the dominant hand is involved, or causes numbness or tingling of the hand or fingers.
Symptoms of Ganglion of the Wrist The ganglion usually appears as a bump or mass that which appear over time or appear suddenly. It may also get smaller in size and even go away, only to come back at another time.
What are the causes? The cause of ganglions is not known. One possible cause is the trauma causing the tissue of the joint or tendon sheath to break down forming small cysts, which then join into a larger, more obvious mass. The most likely cause involves a flaw in the joint capsule or tendon sheath that allows the joint tissue to bulge out.
What are the treatments? Many cysts (38-58%) disappear without any treatment at all. Treatments include using a needle to remove the cyst’s contents (aspiration). Surgical removal of the cyst is needed when the mass is painful, interferes with function especially when the dominant hand is involved, or causes numbness or tingling of the hand or fingers.
Trigger Finger
What is Trigger Finger? Trigger finger is a common disorder of the hand which causes painful snapping or locking of the fingers or thumb.
What are the causes? The exact cause of trigger finger or thumb is not readily evident. In many cases, the condition may be the result of repetitive strain of the area due to work or hobby activities. Tasks that require monotonous grasping or prolonged use of tools for example scissors, screwdrivers, etc. which press firmly on the tendon sheath at the base of the finger or thumb may irritate the tendons and result in thickening of the tendons themselves or the tendon sheath. Trigger finger may also be associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or metabolic disorders such as diabetes that produce changes in the connective tissues and synovium.
What are the treatments? Conservative non-surgical treatment involves avoiding or modifying the activities that have caused the inflammation. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are used to reduce the inflammation or discomfort. Steroid injection may be administered directly into the tendon sheath to reduce the soft tissue swelling. In the event when it does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be recommended. Surgery is performed where a horizontal incision is made in the palm at the base of the affected finger or thumb. The surgeon will release the first annular band, relieving the constriction of the tendon as it passes through the sheath.
What are the causes? The exact cause of trigger finger or thumb is not readily evident. In many cases, the condition may be the result of repetitive strain of the area due to work or hobby activities. Tasks that require monotonous grasping or prolonged use of tools for example scissors, screwdrivers, etc. which press firmly on the tendon sheath at the base of the finger or thumb may irritate the tendons and result in thickening of the tendons themselves or the tendon sheath. Trigger finger may also be associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or metabolic disorders such as diabetes that produce changes in the connective tissues and synovium.
What are the treatments? Conservative non-surgical treatment involves avoiding or modifying the activities that have caused the inflammation. Oral anti-inflammatory medications are used to reduce the inflammation or discomfort. Steroid injection may be administered directly into the tendon sheath to reduce the soft tissue swelling. In the event when it does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be recommended. Surgery is performed where a horizontal incision is made in the palm at the base of the affected finger or thumb. The surgeon will release the first annular band, relieving the constriction of the tendon as it passes through the sheath.
Dequervian's Stenosing Tenosynovitis
What is Dequervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis? DeQuervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition brought by irritation or inflammation of the wrist tendons at the base of the thumb. The inflammation causes the compartment around the tendon to swell and enlarge, making thumb and wrist movement painful.
How is it diagnosed? Tenderness directly over the tendons on the thumb-side of the wrist is the most common finding. A test is generally performed in which the patient makes a fist with the fingers clasped over the thumb.
What are the causes? The cause of DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is an irritation of the tendons at the base of the thumb, usually caused by taking up a new, repetitive activity.
What are the treatments? Non-operative treatments include resting the thumb and wrist by wearing a splint, oral anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone-type of steroid which is injected into the tendon compartment. The goal is to relieve the pain caused by the irritation and swelling. In some cases, simply stopping the aggravating activities may allow the symptoms to go away on their own.
When symptoms are severe or do not improve, surgery may be recommended. The surgery opens the compartment to make more room for the inflamed tendons, which breaks the vicious cycle where the tight space causes more inflammation.
How is it diagnosed? Tenderness directly over the tendons on the thumb-side of the wrist is the most common finding. A test is generally performed in which the patient makes a fist with the fingers clasped over the thumb.
What are the causes? The cause of DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is an irritation of the tendons at the base of the thumb, usually caused by taking up a new, repetitive activity.
What are the treatments? Non-operative treatments include resting the thumb and wrist by wearing a splint, oral anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone-type of steroid which is injected into the tendon compartment. The goal is to relieve the pain caused by the irritation and swelling. In some cases, simply stopping the aggravating activities may allow the symptoms to go away on their own.
When symptoms are severe or do not improve, surgery may be recommended. The surgery opens the compartment to make more room for the inflamed tendons, which breaks the vicious cycle where the tight space causes more inflammation.
Swan Neck Deformity
What is Swan Neck Deformity? Swan neck deformity is a condition in which the distal joint (behind the nail) of the finger goes into flexion and the proximal joint goes into extension.
What are the causes?
What are the causes?
- Rhuematoid arthritis
- Mallet finger
- Swelling
- Intense pain
- Finger brace
- Skin release
- Ligament reconstruction
- Joint replacement
Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
What is Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury? Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury is when there is a hard force on the thumb that pulls the thumb away from the hand which cause damage to the thumb ligaments. When the thumb is straight, the ligaments are tight and stabilize the joint against pulling force. If the force is too strong, the ligaments can tear. They may even tear completely.
What are the causes? A force that pulls the thumb away from the palm of the hand can damage the ligaments. The most common way for this to happen is to fall on your hand with your thumb stretched out.
What are the symptoms?
What are the causes? A force that pulls the thumb away from the palm of the hand can damage the ligaments. The most common way for this to happen is to fall on your hand with your thumb stretched out.
What are the symptoms?
- Painful and swelling
- Thumb feels weak
- Bruise like discolor on the thumb joint
- A bump on edge of the thumb near the palm of the hand.
- Thumb spica cast
- Surgical Treatment
- Rehabiliation
Dupuytren Contracture
What is Dupuytren Contracture? Dupuytren contracture is a localized formation of scar tissue beneath the skin of the palm of the hand. The scarring accumulates in a tissue that normally covers the tendons that pull the fingers to grip. As Dupuytren contracture progresses, more of this tissue becomes thickened and shortened.
What are the causes?
What are the causes?
- Diabetes
- Seizure Disorder
- Alcoholism
- Painless lump in the palm near the base of your fingers
- Inability to fully extend the affected finger
- Loss of normal gasping
- A bump on edge of the thumb near the palm of the hand.
- Stretching with heat application
- Ultrasound Treatment
- Anti-Inflammatory injection and mediciation