You never know much you rely on something until pain takes it out of action. This is especially true of your hand or your wrist. Interventional pain specialists help patients overcome the debilitating effects that stem from hand and wrist pain. If you’re having difficulty going about your daily routines because of hand or wrist pain, you need to schedule an appointment.
What are the Most Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain?
For such small areas, your hands and wrists contribute in huge ways to your ability to function on every level. Just think of every action you take throughout your day and imagine trying to perform them without the use of a hand.
When pain in your hand or wrist prevents you from enjoying full use of the limb, you feel the effects in myriad ways. And there are many things that can take your hand or wrist out of action, including:
- Tendinitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Injury
- Ganglion cysts
- Repetitive stress
- Diabetes
When Should I See a Doctor for Hand or Wrist Pain?
If your hand or wrist pain develops gradually and persists, it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with a pain management specialist. Degenerative conditions such as arthritis almost never get better on their own, so medical intervention is key in regaining the use of your limb.
As well, conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome can progress over time and, if left untreated, lead to permanent nerve damage.
If you’ve suffered an injury and there’s significant pain and swelling, you should seek medical help right away. If the injury doesn’t seem too severe, you should treat the injury with the RICE method:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
If your symptoms don’t improve or worsen after 24 hours, you should see a doctor.
How is Hand and Wrist Pain Treated?
Treatment for hand and wrist pain depends upon the source of the pain. If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, your doctor may try bracing your wrist to prevent further irritation of your nerve. The bracing should allow time for the swelling to go down, freeing up the nerve that’s causing the problems in your hand or wrist.
If arthritis is at play, your doctor works to alleviate the pain using anti-inflammatory medications, as well as corticosteroid injections.
Another possibility may be that your hand or wrist pain stems from an orthopedic issue. In these cases, the doctors at may refer you to a surgeon for repair and then work with you to control the pain.
Precision Pain Care and Rehabilitation has two convenient locations in Richmond Hill – Queens and New Hyde Park – Long Island. Call the Queens office at (718) 215-1888, or (516) 419-4480 for the Long Island office, to arrange an appointment with our Interventional Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Chacko.
