Hand + Wrist
When injuries occur, they are often classified as either acute, recurring or chronic injuries. Acute injuries are temporary and very short, they usually only last a couple minutes or hours. Recurring injuries happen over and over again and the pain is usually similar in the intensity, location and the duration. However, recurring injuries, like acute injuries don't last forever, they eventually go away. Chronic injuries last for a much longer period of time, and this type of pain never really goes away. This type of injury is much more serious and may be more difficult to treat. Its intensity might not feel the same every time, but overall the pain most likely isn't going to go away.
Acute | Chronic | |
Wrist Injuries |
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In the table above, you can see the common types of wrist injuries which occur.
ACUTE INJURIES:
Wrist Sprains are an injury which effect one or more of the ligaments in the wrist. In the table below you can see the 3 degrees of a sprain, and how to treat them. Beside them you will also be able to look at what a wrist strain is and what a wrist fracture is.
First Degree Wrist Sprain | Second Degree Wrist Sprain | Third Degree Wrist Sprain | Wrist Strain | Wrist Fracture | |
| What is it? | Ligaments have stretched, but haven't torn | Partial tear of the ligament | Ligament has completely torn | Is an injury to one or more of the tendons or muscles in the wrist | When one or more of the bones in the wrist have cracked |
| Signs & Symptoms | Mild pain and swelling, and the joint may be a little stiff | A lot of swelling and bruising with moderate pain | Severe pain and swelling, extreme loss of motion and instability of the joint | Lots of swelling and bruising and moderate pain | Rapid swelling and extreme pain |
| Treatment | R.I.C.E | R.I.C.E | R.I.C.E and seek medical attention | R.I.C.E | Gently apply ice and do not compress the injury. Seek medical help immediately |
Treatment
For treating acute injuries, the R.I.C.E principle is used. R.I.C.E stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and it is used after the injury has occurred for the first 72 hours.
CHRONIC INJURIES:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) are the two chronic injuries which occur in the wrist, and most likely are to impact the tendons. Look at the table below to learn a bit more about these two injuries.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) | |
| What is it? | It is a common nerve disorder of the hand and arm and can be caused by repetitive use of a mouse and keyboard, it may be caused through genetics, or even by playing sports that have a lot of wrist and hand movement. | RSI is a condition caused by overuse/repetitive actions in the hand which cause pain in the tendons and muscles involved. |
| Signs & Symptoms | A burning or tingling feeling which causes numbness or tingling. | Sharp pain, a throbbing sensation or a dull ache. A loss in strength or sensation may also occur. |
| Treatment | Gently massaging the wrist, on the anterior side to help break apart scar tissue. Stretching the wrist constantly throughout the day. Resting from activities that would irritate the injury and immobilizing the wrist so that it's in a neutral position. | Anti-inflammatory painkillers (Advil), application of an ice pack/cold pack due to a “flare-up,” application of heat as a part of a rehab process. Tensors, braces or a splint are also used, and if the injury is serious, surgery may be needed. |
HAND/FINGER INJURIES
What is it? | Signs & Symptoms | Treatment | |
| Sprained Finger/Thumb | Occurs when the finger is bent in some way which causes damage to the ligaments. | Pain and swelling, especially during movement | Rest and apply ice right away. May apply tape in order to prevent further injury and to help immobilize the joint |
| Dislocated Finger/Thumb | Injures the ligaments and soft tissues in the finger due to a joint becoming displaced, between two finger bones. | Obvious deformity and immediate pain. | Immediate medical attention is needed. In the meantime you should apply a buddy tape job, and be very gentle, to immobilize the area. Then gently apply ice, elevate the hand above the heart in order to reduce swelling, but don't compress. |
| Metacarpal Fracture | Is a fracture or break in one of the metacarpals. The most commonly fractured metacarpal is the 1st metacarpal, under the base of the thumb. | Immediate swelling and pain. | Immediate medical attention is needed, since a cast will be required in order to immobilize the hand. In order to reduce swelling ice can be applied. |
| Broken FInger | A fracture or break in any of the small phalange bones that make up each finger/thumb. | Immediate pain, swelling and bruising. The finger may feel tingly or be numb if there is any damage to a nerve. | Immediate medical attention is needed. In the meanwhile, immobilize, ice, and elevate the finger. |
| Hand Contusion | Occurs due to a direct trauma of the hand. Bleeding and subsequent bruising take place as a result. Is usually caused by impacts or crash injuries. | Pain in the hand especially when trying to grip things. The hand will immediately swell up. | R.I.C.E |
TAPE JOBS
There are 5 specific tape-jobs which are used for the common types of injuries which occur in the hands and wrists. The table below will list all 5 of these tape jobs and what their purpose is. The steps for these tape-job will also be included.
Purpose | Tape Job Steps | |
| Thumb Spica | This tape job is used to provide support and stability for the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. |
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| Finger Hyperextension | This tape job is used to provide support and stabilization for a joint without immobilizing it, since after the finger gets jammed, pain and inflammation in a joint will occur. |
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| Contact Thumb | This tape job is used to provide support for the thumb and prevents the thumb from spraining. It also reduces stress on the thumb during activity. |
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| Contact Wrist | This tape job is used to immobilize the wrist and this tape job reduces the chances of further injury. |
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| Wrist Hyperextension | This tape job is used to reduce the range of motion in the wrist, so that the athlete doesn't further injure their wrist. |
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