There are a lot of things that we take for granted – such as our ability to type, write, tie our shoelaces, and button up a shirt. We do these types of activities every day, but we tend to not fully realize their importance until hand pain strikes.
Since your hand is composed of a complex network of bones, muscles, nerves, and many types of connective tissues, hand pain can happen for many different reasons. Let’s talk about some of the main health conditions that would lead you to see a hand doctor for a precise diagnosis and speedy treatment.
Arthritis in the Hand
The hand is one of the most common parts of the body that can be afflicted by arthritis. This condition is most often experienced as osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, and it is generally associated with people as we get older or with athletes who put a lot of repetitive stress on certain joints.
Seek the assistance of a skilled orthopedist if you begin to feel symptoms of arthritis. With the help of a hand doctor, most patients can address this condition using nonsurgical treatments. If you see a physician who is not a hand specialist, they may diagnose you incorrectly or simply give you a prescription for the pain rather than addressing the root cause.
Hand Injuries
The hands contain various bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, and tendons. If you injure your hand, the damage will likely lead to bruising, pain, swelling, and other symptoms.
Some of the most common causes of hand injuries are as follows:
- Jamming a finger
- Traumatic injury (such as from a car accident)
- Landing on your hands upon falling
- Repetitive strain from heavy lifting, typing, knitting, or playing sports
- Bending the wrist or fingers too far backward
Dislocations and finger fractures are the most prevalent types of hand injuries. The pain from these injuries may feel intense and sudden, and it may develop into soreness or throbbing for several days. Do not ignore this pain; see a hand specialist for proper treatment so it does not develop into an infection or heal crookedly.
Tendonitis
Problems in a tendon are common causes of hand pain, one of which is tendonitis. This refers to inflammation of a tendon, which connects a muscle to a bone.
This condition might cause swelling and pain at the area of inflammation. It will most likely negatively affect the usually smooth movements of your fingers and hands.
Trigger Finger
Another type of tendon problem is stenosing tenosynovitis, often called “trigger finger.” It occurs when the tendon sheath, which is a connective tissue at the base of a finger, becomes swollen.
Once it swells, it impacts your ability to properly move the tendon and therefore the finger. You might also experience a popping sensation or a feeling that it is catching on something.
Experienced Hand Doctors in South Florida
Many patients experience various kinds of hand pain, and the best approach is to see a hand specialist. Here at Total Orthopaedic Care, our providers make sure that we provide superior care with optimum results. We specialize in the musculoskeletal system, so you can trust us to know exactly how to treat your hand pain or disability so you can get back to feeling like normal again.
Call us today at (954) 735-3535, or fill out our online form to request an appointment. We look forward to helping you get back to using your hands again and back to the active lifestyle you enjoy.
