The ability to use our hands in the way we can is one of the reasons we are the most advanced species without hand pain. A lot of our daily productivity hinges on what we can manipulate with our arms, palms, and fingers. If you’re reading this, you’re probably scrolling or holding your device with your fingers and hands. This is why it can be frustrating when anything impairs our ability to use these ingeniously designed parts of our bodies.
Hand pain, like many ailments, can be caused by a myriad of reasons. And to properly treat any pain or sickness, the underlying cause must be addressed. In this post, we’ll talk about the possible causes of hand pain as well as the appropriate treatment to follow.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This is the most common nerve disorder of the hand. It generally affects the palm and some fingers of the hand, as well as the wrist and forearm. Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to cause pain more at night than in the day.
This pain can be felt in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, making it hard to grip objects. This is because the affected nerve, the median nerve, controls these fingers wholly, the ring finger partly, but does not control the pinkie finger.
Weakness, tingling, and numbness can also be felt by sufferers of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
You might be wondering what “Carpal Tunnel” is. The Carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway made up of bones and connective tissues located at the base of the hand. Pain ensues when the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel is constricted or pinched due to inflammation or irritation of the tendons or any other swelling that presses against the median nerve.
Treatments:
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory or analgesic painkillers
- Wrist splint
- Steroid shots
- Resting the wrist
- Surgery, if pain persists for up to months
Fractures
This is probably the most obvious reason for pain in this article. A fracture or a broken bone can cause unbearable amounts of pain. Fractures can stiffness, swelling, and loss of movement.
Types of fractures:
Simple
This is where the broken bone is aligned and stable
Complex
This is where broken bone shifts from its proper position
Comminuted
This is where the bone is broken in more than one place
Compound
Where the broken bone breaks through the skin
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Treatment
Treatment of fractures depends on the type of break. Casts or splints work for simple breaks. Pins, wires, or plates are needed to treat more problematic fractures. In the worst cases, surgeries might be required to properly set broken bones.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that attacks the lining of your joints or cartilage. When the cartilage, the smooth covering of your joint breaks down, the rough parts start to rub against each other causing pain. it also causes swelling and can lead to stiffness and deformity.
Common pain sites are:
- The base of the thumb
- Middle joints of the fingers
- The end joint, which is closest to the fingertip
Osteoarthritis
Break down and wear of cartilage causing the rough ends of bones to rub against each other. Bony lumps form in the joints of fingers causing stiffness, swelling, and deformity.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chronic inflammatory disease. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks itself, causing joints to swell, stiffen, and lose function. It also affects the same joints on both sides of the body. For example, if it affects a finger joint in one hand, it will also affect the same joint on the other hand.
Psoriatic arthritis
This affects the skin and joints usually causing pain and morning stiffness. It is also similar to rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatment for arthritis includes:
- Heat
- Physical therapy
- Splints for the fingers and wrist
- Anti-inflammatory or analgesic painkillers
- Surgery
Trigger Finger
Medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, it involves fingers or thumb locking in a bent position. Trigger finger develops when the flexor tendon controlling the movement of fingers and thumbs becomes irritated and thickens within its tendon sheath. Nodules can also result from this and the tendon sheath itself may thicken. This causes difficulty in movement and eventually completely prevents movement. At that point, the joint is locked in place looking like a trigger finger.
While the exact cause remains unknown, they usually accompany rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and diabetes. it also tends to affect women more than men. trigger finger is common in adults between 40 to 60 years of age.
Treatments:
- Splints
- Corticosteroid injections
- Pain medication
- Surgery
De Quervain’s Tendinitis
This is pain on the thumb side of the wrist caused by irritation or inflammation of the wrist tendons at the base of the thumb. De Quervain’s are caused by repetitive activities, overuse, and of course wrist fractures. It could involve either sudden pain or develop gradually traveling the length of the thumb and forearm.
Treatment includes:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone shots
- Splint to rest the thumb and wrist
Conclusion
In conclusion, hand pain can stem from various causes, each requiring a unique approach to treatment. Whether it’s Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, fractures, arthritis, trigger finger, or De Quervain’s Tendinitis, seeking the right treatment is essential to restore the invaluable functionality of your hands.
If your hand is causing you discomfort, consult a healthcare professional to identify the cause and embark on a path toward relief and recovery.
How to contact Holts Healthcare
Holts Healthcare Pain & Wellness is a multi-specialty clinic based in Fayetteville, GA. Our services include Primary Care, Wellness, and Pain Management. Book your appointment with us today!
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