The ligaments in the wrist joint can be sprained quite easily with a fall onto an outstretched hand, in more severe falls the bones in the forearm or wrist can fracture.. Injuries to the fingers and thumb joint ligaments typically occur as a result of sudden over stretching, one example is skiers thumb. The tendons that pass across the wrist into the hand on route to the fingers and thumbs can be subject to stress too, often through overuse and repetition. In some instances the sheath in which the tendon runs through may become inflamed, this is referred to tenosynovitis.
Occasionally pain referring down from the nerves in the neck and shoulder could mimic elbow pain.
The treatment of wrist and hand injuries starts with obtaining an accurate diagnosis and identification of why the injury has occurred. Successful management of many injuries mentioned above involves a progressive and tailored exercise based approach aimed at rehabilitating and strengthening the involved area to tolerate the demands the individual wishes to place on them. Sometimes splints are required to offload the injuries areas first to provide a period of relative rest before further rehabilitation can occur. Many failed treatments are due to a lack of rehabilitation and a failure to identify and modify any causative factors such as sporting technique, ergonomic or repetitive work activities.
Book an appointment to get your wrist or hand assessed, find out how we can help you reduce your pain rehabilitate you back to full function.