Healthy hands are essential – after all, we use them every day and every time. But it’s easy to take good hand health for granted until something goes wrong, which occurs more often than you think.
According to BLS statistics cited by Occupational Health & Safety magazine, an estimated one million workers need emergency medical care each year because of severe hand injuries. This makes hand injuries the second most common type of workplace injury. Although these injuries might have a low mortality rate, they can significantly impact one’s quality of life and ability to work.
Getting the proper attention for your hand injury is the first step to getting the appropriate treatment. Knowing the different types of hand injuries can help you get the appropriate diagnosis. If you want to familiarize yourself with common hand injuries, you’re in the right place. Read on to discover the seven hand injury types you should know about.
How Do Our Hands Work?
While your hand and wrist may appear diminutive compared to the rest of your body, they consist of a remarkable assembly of twenty-seven individual bones, constituting approximately a quarter of the total bones in your body. However, the significance of your hands extends beyond mere bone count.
Additionally, your hands house a network of nerves and blood vessels. Each element performs a crucial role in ensuring the optimal functioning of your hands. Any damage to one of these components can disrupt the entire system and result in hand pain. Therefore, even seemingly minor hand injuries warrant prompt attention.
To delve deeper, let’s explore some of the potential types of hand injuries you may encounter.
1. Fractured Hands
The delicate composition of your hands, shielded by only a thin layer of muscle and tissue, renders them susceptible to substantial damage upon impact. Moreover, the positioning of your hands makes them prone to entrapment, compression, or the risk of objects falling on them, heightening their vulnerability to injuries.
High-impact incidents can result in bone fractures, often occurring when a sudden force strikes your hand, as in car accidents or falls. Some fractures are easily discernible; for instance, a broken finger may appear misaligned. Compound fractures, where the bone breaks the skin, pose additional risks, potentially causing nerve damage in the hand.
2. Tendonitis
Tendonitis, although less dramatic, can cause prolonged hand discomfort. It occurs when the tendons connecting muscles to bones become inflamed, leading to painful swelling and impeding normal hand usage. Symptoms include aching around the affected site, slight swelling, and tenderness to the touch.
Tendonitis can result from sudden impacts or, more commonly, repetitive hand movements, such as prolonged typing or excessive smartphone use. Athletes engaging in repetitive motions, like golf swings, may develop De Quervain’s tendonitis or trigger finger, both tendonitis.
3. Strained Hands
Hand strains and tendonitis share similarities in affecting muscles and connecting tendons, but hand strains can encompass a broader hand area. Straining occurs when hand muscles are stretched or pulled, resulting in pain and achiness. Rest is crucial during recovery, allowing the muscle fibers to knit back together.
4. Sprained Hands
Often interchangeably used with strains, sprains involve damage to ligaments in the hand, the tough tissue that holds bone and cartilage together. Awkward falls, especially when attempting to break a fall with an outstretched hand, can cause sprains. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, difficulty moving the hand, and a sensation of popping or tearing at the injury site. Rest, elevation, cold compresses, and anti-inflammatory painkillers can aid recovery.
5. Dislocations
Dislocated hand bones result from significant force being applied to the hand in an awkward position, causing the bones to move out of place. This injury can affect various parts of the hand, with the capitate and lunate bones particularly vulnerable. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as attempting self-correction can worsen the situation. Sometimes, X-rays, manipulations, or surgery may be required for treatment.
6. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Nerve damage, exemplified by carpal tunnel syndrome, is a common consequence of hand injuries. This syndrome involves narrowing the carpal tunnel passage exerting pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the fingers and hand. Treatment options range from wearing braces and taking anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery, with early intervention minimizing recovery time.
7. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, prevalent in hands due to extensive use, affects the cartilage between bones, leading to wear and tear. Over time, joint changes may occur, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Addressing this common age-related condition involves lifestyle modifications and treatment to alleviate symptoms and slow down progression.
The Bottom Line
Given the diverse hand injuries, seeking timely medical attention is paramount to preventing enduring damage and restoring optimal hand function. Consider scheduling an appointment with an experienced hand physician today for comprehensive assistance with your injury. Additionally, you can use a hand grip trainer to improve your grip strength and hand mobility.
