Wrist/Hand

Wrist

The wrist is also called the carpus. It is a complex joint between five metacarpal bones of the hand and the wrist (radiocarpal), which is joint between the radius (shorter of the two forearm bones on the thumb side of the arm) and ulna (longer of the forearm bones on the thumb side of the arm) bones of the forearm.

What causes wrist pain?

Wrist pain can be caused by sprins or fractures from a fall or other sudden injury. It can also be caused by chronic issues, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ulnar wrist pain and Radial wrist pain are usually caused by a scapholunate ligament sprain, partial tear or complete tear typically resulting from a fall onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH).

Other common causes of wrist pain include:

• Tumors including Glomus Tumor, Ganglion Cyst, Osteochondroma
• Carpal Instability
• Distal Radius Fracture (a fracture at the end of the radius bone near the wrist joint)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Physical Therapy for Wrist Pain

You may be referred to physical therapy for conservative care of acute or chronic symptoms. People are also referred before surgery for pre-operative (pre-surgical) therapy and/or post-operative (post-surgical) therapy to help with recovery and return of function.

If you are referred for therapy, remember that you can choose where you get your care even if the referring physician refers you to another therapy practice. Choose us for your wrist therapy needs.

Hand

The hand is a complex prehensile, appendage with opposable thumbs, five distinct fingers (digits, phalanges) with fingernails, around 19 major and minor bones, a broad palm (metacarpus) and back (opishenar). Fully functional hands can accomplish amazing things. But, an injury or chronic condition can be debilitating.

What is hand pain?

Hand pain is any discomfort that occurs between your wrist and fingertips. The pain in your hand may be sharp, dull, tingly, or throbbing and it may be accompanied by the onset of redness, stiffness, or swelling.

What causes hand pain?

Hand pain can originate in the bones, joints, connective tissues, tendons and nerves. It can be caused by inflammation, nerve damage, repetitive motion injuries, sprains and fractures or a long-term chronic condition.

Common causes of hand pain include:

• De Quervain's Tendinitis - inflammation of the tendons at the base of the thumb. It's also known as Mommy Thumb because new mothers get it from holding their babies in awkward positions. Wrist fractures also raise your risk for de Quervain's.
• Fracture - categorized as simple, complex, comminuted and compound.
• Arthritis - the leading source of hand pain. There are many forms of arthritis, but the most common ones are Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Tendon Injury and Laceration
• Trigger finger - most common in adults between ages 40 and 60.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tumors including Glomus Tumor, Digital Mucous Cyst and Enchondroma
• Jersey Finger
• Mallet Finger (also known as Baseball Finger)
• Bennett Fracture-Dislocation
• Friction Blisters
• Stroke/Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
• Parkinson's Disease

Physical Therapy for Hand Pain

You may be referred to physical therapy for conservative care of acute or chronic symptoms. People are also referred before surgery for pre-operative (pre-surgical) therapy and/or post-operative (post-surgical) therapy to help with recovery and return of function.

If you are referred for therapy, remember that you can choose where you get your care even if the referring physician refers you to another therapy practice. Choose us for your hand therapy needs.