You use your hands daily, making them more prone to injuries. Hand injuries may involve bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, or blood vessels. Repetitive movements and sudden impact are the common causes of hand injuries. Medical conditions like osteoarthritis can also lead to hand injuries. You are more prone to hand injuries if you work or play sports that involve repetitive use of your hands. Hand injuries are treatable. The treatment your provider, Dr. Kristopher Downing La Jolla, uses depends on your symptoms and the cause of your injury. There are many types of hand injuries, and here are some.
Hand fractures
A thin layer and tissue protect your hand anatomy, so an impact can cause much damage. Hand fractures can result from a sudden strike, car accident, or falling on your hand. When you have a hand fracture, you may experience severe pain around the injured region, swelling, difficulty moving your fingers, and pain that worsens when you grip or squeeze your hand. It is easier to spot a compound fracture because the bone or impact breaks your skin. Bone fractures require medical attention.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons. Tendons are bands that connect your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis is very painful, and it can make it challenging to use your hands appropriately. The condition can also cause an aching sensation around the inflammation site, and your hand may become slightly swollen or tender. Repetitive movement of your hands is the most common cause of tendonitis. A sudden impact can also cause tendonitis.
Hand strain
Hand strain affects hand muscles and tendons. A stain is similar to tendonitis but involves a larger part of your hand. Hand strain happens when you suddenly angle your hand. Sudden angling stretches the muscle fibers making you feel pain. Resting your hand can help resolve a strain. The affected fibers knit back together gradually, which may take a long time.
Hand sprain
A sprain happens when your hand ligaments are damaged. Ligaments are tough tissues that hold bones and cartilage together. Falling awkwardly onto your hand, especially if you use your hand to break a fall, can lead to a sprain. Common symptoms of hand sprain include pain at the injury site, swelling, bruising, tenderness when you touch the affected region, and challenges moving your hand, fingers, or thumb as normal. When the sprain happens, you may feel a popping or tearing sensation at the injury site.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Your wrist has a carpal tunnel, a passage surrounded by ligaments and tissue that contains your median nerve. The passage is often flexible, but sometimes it can narrow, exacting pressure on the median nerve and leading to a condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be painful and cause weakness in your hand. You may also experience numbness or tingling in your fingers and hand. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend wearing a brace or splint, pain relievers, steroid injections, or surgery.
Hand injuries mostly result from repetitive use of hands or sudden impact. There are many hand injuries, including fractures, tendonitis, strains, sprains, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Schedule an appointment at Upper Extremity Specialists for hand injury treatment to relieve your pain.