Hands are incredibly complex and are a vital part of our every day activities. Because of the sheer number of small muscles, joints, bones, and ligaments involved with the hand they are very prone to injury, pain, and dysfunction. These are some of the most common reasons people experience hand pain.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The main symptom of this condition is numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, and middle fingers that comes and goes. Narrowing of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel causes this disorder. The carpal tunnel is the passageway that the median nerve runs through in the wrist. If you are experiencing this condition a hand therapist can help restore full function of that hand as well as reduce any pain or numbness you are experiencing. Without treatment of this condition permanent damage can occur.
Trigger Finger
This is a condition that causes the fingers or thumb to catch or lock when bent and it is painful. Trigger finger happens when the tendons of the thumb or fingers become inflamed. Repeated movement or the forceful use of the fingers or thumbs is the main cause for this condition. Symptoms include soreness at the base of the thumb or fingers and painful clicking or snapping when bending or straightening the finger. A hand therapist will be able to help you with this condition.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
This is inflammation of the tendons in the thumb that extend to the wrist. These swollen tendons and their covering rub against the narrow tunnel they pass through in the wrist to get to the thumb. This is a painful condition that affects the base of the thumb into the lower arm. If you are experiencing this condition a hand therapist will be able to help.
Arthritis of the Hand
The hand can be very prone to arthritis because of all of the joints, tendons, and ligaments it is comprised of. Arthritis causes pain and inflammation of the joints. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage covering the ends of the bones of the joint erodes, eventually leaving bone grating on bone and causing pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition affecting the joints, and commonly attacks the hands. Although there is no cure for this condition hand therapy can help improve mobility and symptoms that you are experiencing.
Fractures of the Hand, Fingers, and Wrist
The most common reason for an injury in this in the area of the hand is falling with an out stretched arm. Other reason for fractures can include but are not limited to car accidents, osteoporosis, cancer, and sports injuries. Once you have had the cast or splint removed a hand therapist can help ensure that you recover quickly and maintain your former level of function and mobility.
If you are experiencing these conditions or any other problem with your hands go see a hand therapist. Learn more about hand therapy here. If you are ready to start gaining more mobility in your hand or finding some pain relief make an appointment at IMPACT today.