Pain in the hand and wrist can be dull or sharp and stabbing. You may find it gets worse with movement.
You should seek treatment if pain or swelling lasts more than a few days or becomes worse. Delays can lead to long term problems that are difficult to treat.
What to Expect
We will discuss your medical history and examine your hand looking for swelling, discolouration, location of pain, restriction in movement and other symptoms to determine whether the pain is a result of
- Nerve Problems. Compression of the nerves anywhere from the neck down the arm to the wrist and hand can cause pain, numbness, pins and needles or other change in sensation. Carpal tunnel syndrome results from nerve pressure at the wrist often linked to repetitive activities such as computer use, writing or using industrial tools.
- Arthritis. Osteoarthritis linked to age can be brought forward by accident or repetitive movements.
- Fracture in the Wrist. This is a common result of using the hand to protect the body when falling. The nature and location of the fracture is affected by age but typically affects the major bones in the forearm. Cracks in the bone are common and damage to the bone under the thumb can leave fragments that can cause further complications. An X-ray is advised if a fracture of any kind is indicated.
- Restriction in Joint Movement. Displacement of the carpal wrist bones towards the back of the hand and restricting sliding joint movement can cause pain.
- Tendinitis. Similar symptoms to carpal tunnel syndrome and linked to repetitive activities, but different in that the tendons are affected rather than a nerve.
Your treatment may include soft tissue and joint mobilisation techniques. We may discuss management strategies such as coping with repetitive activities that may be causing the problem.
There are usually exercises we can recommend to improve your symptoms and reduce the chances of recurrence.