Hand pain is greater than just annoying. The stiffness and swelling that accompany hand pain can sap strength and reduce the flexibility to perform normal tasks, similar to buttoning clothes.
A typical reason for hand pain is osteoarthritis — when the shock-absorbing cartilage between the bones within the finger joints and the bottom of the thumb wears down or wears down. Hand pain may also be the results of nerve conditions, similar to the pain and tingling you are feeling when there may be pressure on the median nerve within the wrist (attributable to carpal tunnel syndrome) or the ulnar nerve near the elbow. Sometimes hand pain is the results of tendinitis, inflammation of the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Here are five ways to assist manage hand pain, maintain hand function, and avoid surgery.
1. To explode
A splint stabilizes the position of your fingers, thumb, or wrist. If arthritis flares up, you may wear a splint for just a few weeks, so the inflammation can go down.
2. Injection
A corticosteroid injection into the joint can reduce inflammation. The relief it provides can last for months. For some people, subsequent injections provide less relief.
3. NSAIDs
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) helps relieve hand pain by blocking enzymes that cause pain and inflammation, but is just not effective for carpal tunnel syndrome. Long-term use of oral NSAIDs similar to ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is related to an increased risk of ulcers, stomach bleeding, liver damage, and heart attack. Topical NSAIDs, similar to diclofenac (Voltaren), pose less risk.
4. Heat and cold
Heat can reduce hand stiffness. Even a warm shower will work. Cold is effective for hand pain that results from activity, similar to playing golf. Apply it in the shape of flexible gel pads that you simply keep within the freezer, and even bags of frozen peas or corn, which conform to the three-dimensional intricacies of the hand.
5. Exercises and stretches
These concentrate on the tendons and muscles of your hand. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can guide you thru exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles, which might help absorb stress on the hand joints and reduce pain.
Have a matter about hand pain? Learn more about it here.