From typing and driving to cooking and writing, your hands and wrists work together to accomplish several daily tasks. If either one sustains an injury, the pain can be debilitating enough to bring normal movement to an immediate halt. Luckily, an orthopedic specialist will help with restoration. Knowing the common hand and wrist injuries below will help you avoid experiencing discomfort.

What Hand and Wrist Ailments Do People Often Experience?

1. Tendonitis 

This medical condition occurs when the tendons in the hands and wrists become inflamed. It's typically caused by repetitive use of the muscles in these body parts. Individuals who work in industries that require long-term use of their fingers, such as musicians and assembly production, are prone to experiencing painful and weakened tendons.

2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The median nerve, located in the arm, helps manage finger movement and the muscles in your hand and wrist. If these body parts frequently engage in repetitive and daily motions, they can cause carpal tunnel syndrome. With this condition, swelling occurs in the wrists, leading to the median nerve compressing tightly. Individuals diagnosed with the ailment often feel tingling sensations and pain when grabbing items.

3. Proximal Interphalangeal Dislocation

A common injury orthopedic specialists treat involves the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), which is located above each finger's knuckle. It can become dislocated if a finger experiences hyperextension trauma or gets jammed into a bent, downward position. 

Athletes who participate in repeated contact sports are prone to PIP injuries. If a joint dislocation occurs, fingers can have numbing sensations. Discoloration can also emerge around the affected area. 

4. Hand Fractures

Unfortunately, several situations can cause bone fractures in the hands—from contact sports and accidental falls to crushing caused by heavy objects. Such incidents can cause the bones in the palm and fingers to shatter or develop hairline cracks.

Pain, tenderness, swelling, and the inability to move the fingers are common outcomes. Depending on the extent of the injury, either surgery or a stabilizing splint or cast will help with restoration.

For expert hand and wrist injury treatment, visit Independence Healthcare in Soldotna, AK. Their licensed and certified orthopedics professionals have extensive training and experience treating a wide range of bone trauma. They also take a comprehensive approach to full restoration, offering services such as medical imaging, state-of-the-art X-ray technology, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you or a loved one is experiencing hand or wrist pain, call (907) 262-6454 to schedule an appointment. Visit the website to download a patient form.