At its optimal state, the body functions like clockwork. Everything does exactly what it’s supposed to do, precisely as it’s built to do it.
It becomes so automated that it’s barely something you think about. That is until something goes wrong.
Whenever this happens, it’s best advised to see a specialist to help get to the bottom of it and prescribe a treatment or management plan.
Consult a hand professional under the following circumstances:
You Injure a Tendon
A wrist tendon injury occurs when the tendons of the wrist get inflamed or irritated.
This can lead to pain when maneuvering the wrist, warmth, and redness around the affected tendon, swelling, and a grinding sensation.
There are various causes of wrist tendonitis, including systemic conditions such as gout, autoimmune diseases, and repetitive sports such as golf and tennis.
Sport Injuries
Sports injuries are the leading cause of hand pain of injuries. Some are from repetitive movements, while some sports can lead to accidents and traumas that affect the hand.
For professional sportspeople, any injury or trauma to the hand must be reviewed by a doctor.
This is a measure taken to ensure proper management of hand injuries. Without this, you risk a smaller, manageable injury snowballing into a much larger, more difficult-to-treat problem.
Nerve Problems
Nerve problems can affect how your hands function. If not properly managed, they can keep progressing, causing you to lose more function or suffer increased pain.
Some of the nerves on your hands include the median nerve, ulnar and radial nerves.
Some symptoms indicative of nerve damage include:
- numbness or weakness of the hand or fingers
- jabbing or sharp, stabbing pains
- tingling
- tenderness or sensitivity
- muscle weakness or muscle paralysis
- lose of coordination
Nerve problems on your hands can also be indicative of other underlying health problems.
Wounds
The fact that we do a lot with our hands means they are susceptible to all types of injuries. From kitchen accidents to being jammed indoors and sports injuries, hands are very prone to trauma.
Some wounds and injuries can be managed at home, while seem require specialized treatment. If you severe your fingers, fracture your arm or get a cut whose bleeding is difficult to stop, it might be advisable to see a hand professional.
Some severe injuries require surgery or some type of reconstruction to maintain function after the wounds heal.
Summary
At times, treating hand pain at home only sorts out the symptoms, not the cause of the pain itself. The danger in this is that, at times, doing this gives the underlying cause of the pain time to progress.
On the other hand, a hand professional can identify and treat the causes of hand problems, not just the symptoms.
