Elbow, Hand & Wrist

Why Our Elbows, Wrists and Hands are Important

When you think about it, we use our elbows, wrists and hands for many things during the day for just normal activities. We use our elbows, wrists and hands for driving, preparing food, dressing and much more. As a matter of fact, we rely on these upper extremities for daily living. If you’re experiencing pain in your elbows, wrists or hands, your daily function can become very limited.

Causes of Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain

There are a number of causes for wrist and hand pain, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel is a type of hand nerve entrapment. It occurs in the wrists where a nerve and tendons extend from the forearm to the hand. Carpal tunnel causes pressure on the median nerve. Its symptoms include:

• Pain, burning and numbness in the hand
• Pain in the wrist, which can extend to the elbow
• Swollen hand
• Weakened grip and problems with picking up small items

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a narrowing of the tissue in the elbow, which includes the area where the ulnar nerve lies. This nerve runs from the shoulder to the wrist. Its symptoms include:

• Tingling and numbness in the ring and pinky fingers
• Weakness in the hands
• Pain in the hands and fingers

Elbow pain is often caused by overuse from sports and repetitive job tasks. Other common causes of elbow pain include golfer’s or tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, sprains, strains, tendinitis, bursitis, and dislocations.

Tendonitis is an acute inflammation of a tendon. A tendon is a thick fibrous cord that connects muscle to bone. It’s most common in the elbows and wrists. Other names for tendonitis are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, swimmer shoulder and pitcher’s shoulder. Tendonitis may progress to tendinopathy or tendinosis, which include more changes over time at the tendon with less active inflammation present. These can cause pain to persist beyond just a month or two if not addressed early. Bursitis occurs when small, fluid-filled sacs become inflamed. It’s the sacs that cushion the muscles, tendons and bones near the joints, and this is often a painful condition. Osteoarthritis affects about 27 million people in America. It can affect the joints in the elbows, wrists and hands. The cartilage begins to wear away and bones rub against each other, leading to pain.

Occupational and Physical Therapy for Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain

Physical therapy and occupational therapy are effective for elbow, wrist and hand pain. As a matter of fact, they can help you avoid surgery. Often, a physical therapist or occupational therapist will work in conjunction with your primary care doctor to identify the root cause of your pain. Strength and flexibility will also be assessed. After a full evaluation, an occupational and physical therapist will use therapeutic techniques to eliminate the pain and then focus on improving your range of motion. Exercises for strength will also be performed. Passive treatments may include ice therapy, heat therapy, massage therapy or electrical stimulation. The goal is to rid you of pain and improve your function.

If you’re suffering from elbow, wrist or hand pain, Contact Us today at Lake City, Florence, Columbia, Spartanburg & Camden, SC Centers to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Our occupational and physical therapists are committed to helping you live a pain-free life.