Four Common Types of Hand and Wrist Issues
We use our hands much more than we realize. We may not even realize how often we need our hands to complete basic daily tasks until we start to feel pain in these areas. Carrying things, gripping objects, reaching towards things, typing on the computer, and driving are just a few things we do each day with our hands and wrists. Because of the constant use, our hands and wrists are susceptible to many types of injuries. These are some of the most common types of hand and wrist issues that we see at our orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs.
Ganglion Cysts
Typically, ganglion cysts do not cause any major problems, but they may lead to discomfort. When you suspect that you have ganglion cysts, you may notice bumps on the back of your hand or at either side of your wrists. These are often so small that many people may not even notice them underneath their skin. However, when you have discomfort, you will want to be treated to remove numbness or mild tingling sensations.
Boxer’s Fractures
Boxer’s fractures can occur when the pinky finger bone breaks at the knuckle. It often results from a forceful injury, like those sustained with fist fighting or hitting a larger object. This is known as a Boxer’s fracture because it has most commonly occurred in boxers that suffered injuries in the ring. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness in the hand. To treat this fracture, you will want to set and realign the bone. This will stabilize it for healing and recovery.
Flexor or Extensor Tendon Damage
When the flexor or extensor tendon is torn or detached, it can cause extreme amounts of pain. The extensor tendon attaches to the back of your fingers and thumb, and it allows your fingers to straighten and function properly. You can injure this tendon by suffering trauma, burns, or having arthritis. The flexor tendon attaches on the palm side of your fingers and thumbs, and it allows you to perform most of your fine-motor movements. When you injure these tendons, you will feel a loss of movement, pain, and swelling to your hand.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
When you have chronic pain at the base of your palm, you may have carpal tunnel syndrome. This occurs when your tendons are putting pressure on the median nerve that runs up towards your fingers, which can lead to swelling, tingling, and extreme pain. Over time, you may notice your symptoms get worse. There are many treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome once it gets to this point so that you can find relief.
These are just a few of the common types of hand and wrist issues that can be treated by an orthopedic surgeon in Altamonte Springs. When you feel chronic pain in your hand or have suffered an injury to your wrist or hand, you will want to see a specialist to assess your medical needs. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.