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Hand, Wrist, and Finger Injuries & Conditions

Hand, Wrist, and Finger Injuries & Conditions

Your hand has 27 bones and, left untreated, one injury will have a domino effect on the rest of your hand bones. Even the tiniest bones in your fingers can cause major problems. Considering how much we rely on our hands, fingers and wrists on a daily basis, it’s important to pay close attention to injuries to this part of the body.

When you think of hand, wrist and finger injuries, fractures and carpal tunnel syndrome probably first come to mind. However, these kinds of injuries can run the gamut from trigger finger to ganglion cysts. Read on to learn more about these conditions and treatment options.

If you experience pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. This common condition occurs when one of the main nerves to the hand is compressed as it travels through the wrist.

In most patients, carpal tunnel syndrome gets worse over time, so early diagnosis and treatment are important. Early on, symptoms can often be relieved by simply wearing a wrist splint or avoiding certain activities. Left untreated, surgery may be required. Without any intervention, carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to permanent damage.

Causes for carpal tunnel syndrome include heredity, repetitive movement, or pregnancy. Certain health conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid gland imbalance are also associated with the condition.

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled mass or lump in the hand that can quickly appear, disappear or change size. The cysts most often develop on the back of the wrist and are usually harmless and don’t require treatment. However, you may choose to seek treatment if the cyst is painful, prevents you from normal activities, or has a concerning appearance.

A ganglion is most common in people between the ages of 15 and 40 years, and women are more likely to be affected than men. Because they repeatedly apply stress to the wrist, gymnasts frequently have the cysts. Ganglion, or mucous, cysts develop at the end joint of a finger and are typically associated with arthritis. These occur mostly in women between the ages of 40 and 70 years.

Even though it has a funny name, trigger finger is not a laughing matter to those affected by the condition. Trigger finger, also known as “stenosing tenosynovitis,” causes pain, stiffness and a feeling as if your finger is locking or catching when you bend and straighten it. Usually trigger finger affects the thumb and ring finger, but other fingers also can be affected. The condition is called “trigger thumb” when the thumb is involved.

Risk factors for developing trigger finger include certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Forceful hand activities involving the fingers and thumb also area believed to cause the condition.

Most of us probably take the tasks that our hands perform on a daily basis for granted – until a finger fracture occurs. A single fracture can make everyday functions, such as holding a pen or brushing your teeth, painful if not nearly impossible. Fractured fingers usually occur due to a fall or injury. Left untreated, a broken finger could be left permanently stiff and painful.

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