If you are like most people, you use your hands and wrists every day without thinking about it. But if you suddenly injure your wrist or hand, it can be difficult to do even the simplest tasks.
Here are 5 quick tips about wrist and hand injuries that will help you get back to normal as soon as possible:
Try to get out of activities that are making the pain or getting worse. It’s anything with a steady pattern, such as using a screwdriver, painting, or carrying heavy things. You may be able to alter how you do some tasks to relieve the strain off your hands and wrists. Some hand and wrist problems won’t improve until you stop doing certain tasks.
Pain and stiffness can be relieved by moving your hands, wrists, and fingers as much as possible. This will also keep your range of motion, function, and strength intact. You may do certain workouts at home with our help. Make an effort to do them regularly, especially if your hands and wrists are stiff. Consult a physiotherapist, GP, or hand therapist for specific workout recommendations if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pain relievers like paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are examples. You can apply NSAID gels to your hands and wrists. Other tablets can be swallowed. When mixing gels and tablets, be careful not to consume too much because both enter your bloodstream. Always read the information that comes with any prescription, especially the dose information. Consult a doctor or a pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Applying ice to your hands and wrists might help to minimize swelling and soreness. A packet of frozen peas wrapped in a moist towel might be used. Ice should never be applied directly to the skin since it might burn or irritate it. Apply ice to the affected area for up to 20 minutes many times a day.
Applying heat to your hands if they are uncomfortable and stiff may assist. Wheat bags, for example, are available from pharmacies and may be heated in the microwave. To avoid scorching your skin, you may need to cover it with a cloth or tea towel. A warm bath or shower, as well as placing your hand and wrist on a hot water bottle with the cover on, may bring some comfort. It can be beneficial and relaxing to move your hand around in a basin of warm water. If your hand or wrist is swollen or wounded, don’t apply heat to it since it will make it worse.
It may be beneficial to switch between heat and ice therapy throughout the day. Ice can assist with pain and swelling by reducing blood flow. When your hands are tight and your muscles are weary, heat stimulates blood flow, which can aid. Heat can also aid in the healing of soft tissue injuries.
Support for the hand and wrist can be obtained by wearing splints. Some can be used in regular tasks, while others are meant to be utilized when sleeping or relaxing. A hand therapist, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist can advise you on whether a splint would be beneficial, which type would be best for you, and how to correctly wear it.
If you can move it, it’s not broken, according to a prevalent misconception concerning hand and wrist injuries. That simply isn’t the case. Fractures are frequently sensitive at the site of the break. If you have an apparent deformity or a wound on your skin, get medical help as soon as possible. If you have swelling, bruising, or pain that lasts longer than a day or two, you should consult a doctor.
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions, including back injuries. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
925-934-3536
stephen.chen@eastbaysportsdoc.com