The Cost of Being Connected: Hand Pain
The odds are high that you, like most everybody, has had a minor problem with a finger, hand, or wrist. The truth is, while the pain may be local to one area, they are all connected and rely upon one another for proper functioning. The hands and wrists are so commonly utilized every day, as our main tools and our first line of defense, so they are subject to a variety of problems. Some problems are the result of how you use your hands in everyday activities – for example, sprains and strains as well as fractures can occur with lifting and carrying heavy objects, operating machinery, bracing against a fall, or sports-related injuries.
If you’ve ever awakened with numb hands, had your finger lock while filling out a crossword puzzle, or tried in vain to open a jar, you know what it’s like to have your hands fail you. Hand pain can be caused by disease or injury affecting any of the structures in the hand, including the bones, muscles, joints, tendons, blood vessels, or connective tissues.
Hand pain and stiffness, often tolerated without medical attention, can be successfully treated. You don’t have to accept discomfort and disability as a consequence of aging. Fortunately, there are a host of treatments that can alleviate pain and improve function with minimal recovery time. Conditions that affect the hand and wrist include:
- Sprains and Strains
- Ligamentous Injuries
- Fractures
- Repetitive Trauma Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid
- Ganglion Cyst
- Trigger Finger
- Any problem that causes pain, swelling, discoloration, numbness or a tingling sensation, or abnormal contour of the hand or wrist that persists for more than two or three days should be evaluated by your doctor as early as possible, to establish the cause and obtain the best treatment.
To learn more about hand pain, and how to treat it call Tucson Orthopaedic Institute at our East Tucson office at (520) 784-6200, Northwest Tucson office at (520) 382-8200, or Oro Valley office at (520) 544-9700. To request an appointment, you can call or use our secure online appointment request form