Injuries to the numerous bones in the hand and wrist are common and painful. Whether you injure yourself while skateboarding, playing sports, or simply slip on the stairs, the first point of contact and shock absorption is instinctively the hand (and wrist).
Let’s take a closer look at a few common orthopedic injuries, and how you can quickly identify and minimize any damage incurred.
Is My Hand or Wrist Broken?
The most obvious sign that you have fractured your hand or wrist is, of course, an actual deformity. Below are a few other common, but slightly more subtle, signs that you should watch for.
- Making and clenching your fist is painful
- Inability to move your fingers or thumb
- Bruising
- Numbness
- Swelling
How Should You Treat a Broken Wrist or Hand?
- Seek emergency orthopedic care - Immediate, professional treatment is essential for a full recovery to be possible
- Apply ice
- Keep the injury immobile
- Follow your doctor’s instructions!
Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Dislocations
Dislocations in the hand or wrist are most commonly seen as a sports injury, but they can happen during a variety of traumas.
Common symptoms of a dislocation include:
- Sudden pain
- Hand motion is either difficult or impossible
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Numbness is also common because of impaired or damaged nerves
It is important to immediately see an orthopedic medical professional. Not only can they help you manage your pain level, but also a reduction (or correction of the dislocation) is often required. Ignoring symptoms will only exacerbate the damage and pain level, ultimately increasing your recovery time and level of necessary treatment.
Tendonitis In the Hand and Wrist
Tendons are essentially the small ropes that lash muscle to bone. In a joint like your wrist where there is such incredible variety of motion, numerous tendons are at work. This concentration of tendons combined with the fact that it is such a high-wear point of connection makes inflammation (tendonitis) a real threat. This is even more of a risk if repetitive motion is part of your life.
What symptoms should you watch out for?
- Your wrist may swell
- You may feel a grinding sensation as you move and rotate your hand
- General pain in the wrist
Your orthopedic professional can perform tests to not only confirm that tendonitis is behind your pain, but also to pinpoint exactly where the inflammation is occurring. The best course of treatment and motion modification can then be determined. The key, as always, is to never simply work through or ignore the pain!
What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Do You Have It?
The carpal tunnel is just that: a tunnel. Created by bones and ligaments, this tunnel serves as a passageway that houses the median nerve and tendons, running through the palm-side of your wrist. This particular nerve allows sensation and movement in your thumb and first three fingers (an important job!).
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when this crucial tunnel becomes excessively compressed, pinching the nerve and causing discomfort. This compression can be traced back to a variety of causes, ranging from excessive strain or use to serious underlying conditions. The most important thing is to watch out for the symptoms below, then seek medical attention right away to find what is at the root of the problem.
Common symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include:
- Tingling
- Weakness in your hand
- Numbness
- Pain that can shoot up your arm
Are You Looking for Emergency Orthopedic Care in Lufkin?
We are here and ready to serve you, with no appointment necessary. As your local emergency orthopedic care center, we can provide the immediate relief, treatment, and answers you need. Contact us today with any questions, or simply stop by!
