Arthritis of the Hand and Wrist
Arthritis in your hands can affect the joints between the 29 bones of your wrist, hand, and fingers. You may notice swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, but there are more than 100 different forms.
Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis Video
Arthritis of the Thumb
Thumb arthritis is also known as basal joint arthritis. It is more common in women and typically occurs after 40 years of age. You may notice swelling, pain, or stiffness at the base of the thumb and pain with pinch or grip. As the arthritis progresses, pain and weakness may increase, along with decreased range of motion.
Basal Joint Arthritis Dr. Kerrigan Sept 23, 2009 6:39
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve passing through the wrist is pinched or compressed. You may notice waking up at night with numbness in your thumb, index, and middle fingers, shooting pain, dropping things, and weakness of grip and pinch.
Mayoclinic minute: What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Sept 26, 2017 :57
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Education Sheet
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic condition with swelling and skin changes. It usually begins after trauma, such as injury to the tissues, bone, or nerves of your hand or upper limb. You may notice intense pain including muscle spasms and joint stiffness that makes it difficult for you to use your hand or upper limb for even light functional use.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Video
“Complex Regional Pain Syndrome” 4:38
Dupuytren’s Contracture
A hand deformity that affects a layer of tissue (fascia) that lies just underneath the skin of the palm. You will notice knots or rope-like cords of thickened tissue in your palm that causes progressive unwanted bending of your fingers (ring and small fingers are most commonly affected). A consultation with a Plastic Surgeon is desired when deformities/contractures or limitations in functional hand use start to develop. After surgery or Xiaflex injection, a custom night extension orthotic is recommended to help maintain finger.
Non-Surgical Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture Video
“Non-Surgical Treatment of Dupuytren’s Contracture” Brian Fingado Jan 13, 2015, 3:35
Extensor Tendon Injury
Extensor tendons attach to bones in your hand to allow straightening (or extension) of your fingers and thumbs. Injury to extensor tendons can occur with cuts to the top of your hand or with “jamming” injuries when playing sports. Mallet and Boutonniere finger injuries/deformities are two examples of common extensor tendon injuries. Some extensor tendon injuries can be treated with use of custom-made orthotics to immobilize healing tendons, while others require surgery. A specialized hand therapy program will involve custom-made orthotics and exercise to restore motion and function of the hand.
Extensor Tendon Injury Education Sheet
Flexor Tendon Injury
Flexor tendons attach to bones in your hand to allow bending (or flexion) of your fingers and thumbs. Injury to flexor tendons can occur with cuts to the palm side of your hand or finger. Cut or ruptured flexor tendons require surgical repair. After surgery, a specialized hand therapy program will involve custom-made orthotic and the start of a protected exercise program to restore motion and function of the hand.
Flexor Tendon Injury Education Sheet
Hand Fractures
A fracture or break in one or more of the 19 bones of the fingers, thumb, or palm of hand. You will notice pain, throbbing, swelling and bruising. If a fracture is suspected, your doctor will order an x-ray. Custom-made orthotics are fabricated by therapists to provide proper positioning and allow hand fractures to heal and mobilize when able.
Hand Fractures Education Sheet