Orthopedics

Hand and Wrist Care

Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. Most cases of hand and wrist pain will not be a sign of a serious long-term problem and will settle in a few days or weeks with some simple self-care you can do at home. Several conditions can cause pain or other symptoms in the hands and wrists, including types of arthritis.

Symptoms

If you experience the following symptoms calls your doctor immediately.

  • Numbness or tingling sensation
  • Swollen fingers
  • Difficulty in gripping objects or making a fist
  • Numbness and pain
  • Redness around the wrist
  • Warmth in a joint near the wrist
  • Immovable wrist

Causes

  • Wrist injuries usually occur when you fall forward on your hand causing sprain, strain and fracture.
  • Any activity which causes repetitive wrist motion can inflame the tissue around the joints and can cause stress and fractures.
  • Osteoarthritis in the wrist is uncommon and occurs in people with past wrist injuries
  • Rheumatoid arthritis commonly involves the wrist and damages the tissues around it. If one wrist is affected, the other one usually gets affected too.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when there is increased pressure on the median nerve.
  • Ganglion cysts
  • Kienbock’s disease affects young adults and involves the progressive collapse of bones. It occurs when the blood supply to the bone is compromised.

Diagnosis

The doctor will perform some physical examinations and order some tests to diagnose the cause of wrist pain and inflammation. To diagnose a problem the doctor will want to hear the symptoms, may check the range of movement and strength of the wrist.

X-rays, ultrasound scans, CT scans and MRI scans are performed to evaluate the bones and joints. Arthroscopy is another modern procedure involving a small cut on the wrists. A tiny camera is attached and inserted through the cut. The camera projects the pictures on the monitor for the doctor to have a clear view of the injury

Treatment

Treatment for wrist pain depends on the cause and severity of the injury. There are several procedures available for treating wrist injury.

  • Pain medication and ice may be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain.
  • In certain cases, wearing a wrist splint can restrict the wrist movement to avoid squeezing of the nerve which is the cause of irritation.
  • Exercises can be prescribed by doctors to stretch and lengthen muscles and tendons.
  • Cortisone injections can decrease inflammation and reduce pain
  • Surgeries are performed only in cases where less invasive treatments do not work. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves cutting a ligament in the wrist to release pressure on the nerve

Prevention

If you remain cautious while performing certain activities, the injuries can be avoided to some extent.

  • Use protective gear for athletic activities
  • Getting an adequate amount of calcium and other essential nutrients to prevent fractures.
  • To prevent falls, wear shoes with good soles.
  • Pay attention to ergonomics
  • Practice wrist flex and extensions

Adam Vital Hospital, we have the best team of Orthopaedic surgeons who will help you understand the choices of treatment in various types of wrist injuries. We are among the best orthopaedic hospitals in Dubai providing treatment for all kinds of injuries including hand and wrist injury and helping you return to an active lifestyle.

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