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, sore hand can also be the presenting sign for other diseases.
The wrist and hand are capable of power and precision. As a result, pain and inflammation are often accompanied by weak grip on disorders of the hand. A careful history and physical examination are important. The presence of symptoms elsewhere in the body is important to establish.
Two serious hand problems are:
or reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). Namely caused by sympathetic nervous system disorder. Usually described as a burning pain. The triggering factor may be trauma Color changes including discoloration purple of the fingers may occur. Treatment involves a special procedure called stellate ganglion blockade. Usually performed by an anesthesiologist, this procedure is often very effective.
or hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. The hand becomes a weakness and malaise. This picture occasionally occurs in patients with underlying cancer.
Other hand problems that point to other diseases:
Psoriasis and can also cause pitting or lifting (onycholysis) nails.
or abnormal blood vessel patterns near the fingernails may indicate autoimmune diseases like lupus.
or the phenomenon of Raynaud … When fingers blanch (turn white) this can be a sign of an underlying autoimmune problem such as lupus erythematosus or scleroderma.
Lumps or called "nodules" can develop as a result of osteoarthritis, gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
Depuytren or contracture is a problem in which the skin can become Palm thicker and shorter. A cord of tissue develops and causes fingers to bend toward the palm. The treatment for this problem may be the steroid injections, splinting and physical therapy. Surgery is often needed. This condition occurs with other medical illnesses.
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. At the wrist, tendonitis usually causes pain and localized swelling. Tendonitis can be confused with arthritis.
The tendinitis in the hand is more common in palm. This makes closure or trigger fingers. Steroid injection and physical therapy are usually effective treatments. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, splinting and physical therapy from time to time.
Tips to make your hand pain better …
Use splints or if you'll be doing a lot of repetitive movements
o Use the entire arm instead of only the hand and wrist
Enlarge or the handles of their tools. You can get kitchen utensils and writing implements with enlarges handles. They deserve it.
o Make sure to take breaks.
• Avoid repetitive movements when possible.
Bring objects or with palms open and flat. This will take pressure on their wrists and fingers.
A common cause of pain is part of carpal tunnel syndrome
… median nerve pinch wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a symptom-much like fever … is not a disease! It is the most common cause of tingling in his hands. Also tingling, burning may also occur. Patients often have discomfort at night that is relieved by hanging the affected hand by the edge of the bed or vigorously shaking hands. The discomfort of carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by holding the paper while reading, or driving. The causes of the syndrome 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 a splint, sometimes steroid injection, and avoidance of overuse. For patients with carpal tunnel syndrome unresponsive to conservative treatment or carpal tunnel syndrome is severe, surgery is indicated.
radial nerve damage leads to wrist drop. pressure of the radial nerve in the wrist can occur as a result of repetitive movements, firm pressure (Wives, bracelets, necklaces) the diabetes and injuries. ulnar nerve damage and compression in the wrist can cause a claw hand. " Treatment is anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, immobilization, injection, and sometimes surgery.
The treatment of hand disorders is entirely dependent to make an accurate diagnosis and specific.
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: Arthritis Pain Relief
Scleroderma