YOUR WRIST & HAND
Your wrists allow you to have full movement of your hands. Within your wrist, you have ligaments that help provide stability in movement.
If you suffer a wrist injury these ligaments, you may lose normal mobility and may also experience pain and swelling. Healthy wrists and hands are vital to an active lifestyle.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive strain can often cause chronic wrist pain. The carpal canal is a closed space located within the mid-area of the palm side of the wrist. It is covered by a thick ligament known as the volar carpal ligament. Inside the tunnel-like enclosed space courses the median nerve and the flexor tendons. It is theorized that because this is a closed space, as pressure builds up with repetitive movements, problems occur and pain is an inevitable result. The patient will feel a numbness and tingling in the areas that are supplied by the median nerve, which runs through the thumb, the index and middle fingers, and through half of the fourth finger on the thumb side. The patient may also experience a weak grip and a loss of fine movements.
OUR PHYSICIANS WILL EVALUATE YOUR HAND OR WRIST INJURY TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR WRIST OR HAND SURGERY.
In some cases, physical therapy and exercise therapy may improve your condition without requiring surgery.
X-RAYS
MRIS
BLOOD TESTS
Your physician may give you a splint to keep you from flexing your wrist. Since flexing can make your symptoms worse, the splint will keep your wrist in a rigid, straight position. Your splint may be worn during the day and/or at night. Relieving the stress on your wrist will relieve swollen tissues. At the same time, your physician may prescribe medications to aide in your recovery and ease your pain. Do not exceed the amount prescribed without first receiving approval from your physician. Exceeding the prescribed dosage is dangerous and can lead to numerous health hazards and even death.
