Eliminate Agonizing Hand Pain Quickly and Easily!
By Nathan Wei
According to Dr. Nathan Wei, “The hand and wrist are the mirrors
of disease.” While the cause of hand pain can be a localized problem, hand pain
can also be the presenting sign for other diseases.
The wrist and hand are capable of power and precision. As a
result, pain and swelling are often accompanied by weakness of grip in hand
disorders. A careful history and a complete physical examination are important.
The presence of symptoms elsewhere in the body is important to establish.
Two serious hand problems are:
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). This is caused by a disorder
of the sympathetic nervous system. Typically, it is described as a burning pain.
The precipitating factor may be trauma Color changes including purplish discoloration
of the fingers may occur. The treatment involves a special procedure called
stellate ganglion block. Usually performed by an anesthesiologist, this procedure
is often very effective.
• Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. The hand becomes swollen and
painful. This picture occasionally occurs in patients with underlying cancers.
Other hand problems that point to other diseases:
• Psoriasis may also cause pitting or lifting up (onycholysis)
of the fingernails.
• Abnormal blood vessel patterns near the fingernails
may signify auto-immune diseases like lupus.
• Raynaud's phenomenon... When fingers blanch (turn white) this
may be a sign of an underlying autoimmune problem such as systemic lupus erythematosus
or scleroderma.
• Bumps, called “nodules” can develop as a result of osteoarthritis,
gout, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Depuytren’s contracture is a problem where the skin in the
palm may become thickened and shortened. A cord of tissue develops and causes
fingers to bend into the palm. Treatment for this problem may be steroid injection,
splinting, and physical therapy. Surgery is often needed. This condition occurs
with other medical diseases.
Virtually all types of arthritis can affect the wrist and
hand.
Arthritis when untreated or poorly treated will lead to deformity.
Tendonitis is another common problem in the wrist and hand. In the wrist, tendonitis
usually causes pain and localized swelling. Tendonitis can be confused with
arthritis.
Tendonitis in the hand is most common in the palm. This causes
locking or triggering of the fingers. Steroid injection and physical therapy
are usually effective treatments. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication,
steroid injection, splinting, and occasionally physical therapy.
Tips to make your hand pain better...
• Wear splints if you’re going to be doing a lot of repetitive motions
• Use your whole arm instead of just your hand and wrist
• Enlarge the handles on your tools. You can get kitchen utensils and writing
implements with enlarges handles. They’re worth it.
• Make sure to take rest breaks.
• Avoid repetitive movements when possible.
• Carry objects with the palms open and flat. This will take the pressure off
your wrists and fingers.
A common cause of hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome
... pinching of the median nerve in the wrist. Carpal tunnel
syndrome is a symptom- much like fever... it is not a disease! It is the most
common cause of tingling in the hands. Besides tingling, burning pain may also
occur. Patients often have discomfort at night that is relieved by hanging the
affected hand over the side of the bed or vigorously shaking the hands.
The discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome can also be brought
on by holding up the newspaper while reading, or by driving. Causes of carpal
tunnel syndrome include arthritis, endocrine problems, pregnancy, trauma, infection,
tumors, and overuse.
Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome depends on the severity.
Mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome is treated with splinting, sometimes
steroid injection, and avoidance of overuse. For patients with carpal tunnel
syndrome that doesn’t respond to conservative measures or where the carpal tunnel
syndrome is severe, surgery is indicated.
Radial nerve damage leads to wrist drop. Radial nerve pressure
in the wrist can occur as a result of repetitive motion, tight pressure (handcuffs,
watchbands, bracelets), diabetes, and trauma. Ulnar nerve damage and compression
in the wrist can cause a "claw hand." Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory
medication, rest, splinting, injection, and sometimes surgery.
Treatment of hand disorders is entirely dependent on making
an accurate and specific diagnosis.
Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist
and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis
Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the
University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to
the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of
the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians.
For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com
