Hand and Wrist Injuries – Things to know

The wrist is formed by the two bones in the forearm. First one is known as the radius which is the bone on the thumb side. Second one is the ulna which is the smaller bone of the two. Ulna is the bone on the pinky side.  They form a joint and meet at the carpus.  The wrist is made up of multiple joints where bones of the forearm and hand meet to create wrist movement.  The carpus are eight bones referred to as the carpal bones.  It may be useful to know some of these details to understand hand and wrist injuries. There is an easy abbreviation to remember the 8 bones.  SO, LO TO PINKIE HERE COMES THE THUMB.  

ACRONYM EXPLANATION

If you take each of the beginning letters of this abbreviation, they represent the start of the bones name. Scaphoid (So), Lunate (Lo) Triquetrum (To), Pisiform (Pinkie) those bones are on the upper end of the wrist . These are counted with the palm facing up starting from the thumb making your way to the pinkie.  Hamate (Here), Capitate (Comes), Trapezoid (The) and Trapezium (Thumb) which are on the lower side of the hand starting at the pinkie moving to the thumb on the lower row.  

The other bones in the hand include (1) the metacarpals which are the bones the make up the middle part of the hand. And the (2) Phalanges which are the 14 narrow bones that make up the fingers.  There are The Distal, Intermediate and Proximal Phalanges, the thumb only has two.  The joints of the fingers include metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP), proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) and distal interphalangeal joint (DIP).  There are many tendons in the hand too like extensor tendons and flexor tendons as well as extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus. These are the muscles that move the thumb.  

List of Wrist and Hand Injuries

Scaphoid Fracture 

Signs and Symptoms are swelling in the anatomical snuff box pain when extending and abducting the thumb. Also can be pain with wrist extension and radial deviation.  Treatment similar to a fracture of any other kind. An x ray will detect if there is a fracture of the scaphoid 2 x rays will need to be completed. Mobilization is a helpful technique for the hand.  It is also important to note that if this bone breaks there is no blood supply that can travel to this bone so surgery to replace the bone is a very important option. 

Boxers Fracture

Signs and Symptoms include a depression where the knuckle should be and swelling over the knuckle that masks the fracture.  Treatment includes PIER, checking for distal circulation or capillary refill, a splint and immobilization.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Compression of the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel, the roof of the carpal tunnel is formed by the flexor retinaculum. The flexor tendons of the wrist surrounds the nerve.  The main causes of this syndrome is fluid retention, overuse and secondary to any trauma.  

– Signs and Symptoms tingling and numbness in the first three fingers, progressive paralysis and atrophy of the thenar muscles, may result in a thicker flexor retinaculum, flexor tendon and synovial sheath, can be due to the position your hands are in and if you undergo surgery scar tissue will form and can contribute to ongoing symptoms.         

– Treatment includes altering your mechanics, stretching the muscles in the area, eliminating inflammation and immobilizing the wrist

De Quervain Tenosynovitis

Irritation and swelling of the sheath which surrounds the thumb tendon as they pass from wrist to thumb.  Pain when grasping or pinching and a thick lump is present the area.  Completing a Finklestein’s test can determine if there is this syndrome by tucking your thumb all the way to the pinkie and making a fist and pointing towards the ground can determine if you have the symptoms of this syndrome.  

Skiers Thumb

This is the sprain of the UCL of the MCP joint of the thumb. Improper healing on this part can lead to permanent instability. Effects could be in weak grasp and osteoarthritis.  

– Signs and Symptoms include pain in the webbed space with movement. Also could present with the area being tender, swelling, bruising and instability when you abduct your thumb

– Treatment includes surgery, PIER 6 weeks in a cast, Post cast treatment for the ligament  

Ganglion Cyst 

Mass or lump in the hand, non cancerous fluid filled cyst around a ligament, joint lining or sheaths when they become irritated or inflamed. It does not require treatment. However if the cyst is painful or it begins interfering with your functionality you can get a referral to a orthopaedic surgeon. Then, the effort is to remove the fluid get an injection of a steroid or surgery.

Hand and Wrist Injuries Treatment at Curezone Physiotherapy

Would you benefit from physio care for hand and wrist injuries? Do you feel that you have lost your range of motion in the hand? Are you able to use your hand and wrist without feeling any pain? Do you know how to stretch your hand and wrist muscles? Are you aware of how to strengthen weak muscles in your hand and wrist?

At Curezone Physiotherapy, our physio experts on hand and wrist in Mississauga and Oakville aim to improve your hand muscles through targeted stretches and exercises. If you are looking for the best physiotherapy clinic to improve your hand and wrist movements during different activities, look no further! We aim to be YOUR best rehab physiotherapy in Mississauga and Oakville areas, and are here and ready to teach you the best exercises and stretches for getting you back to normalcy.

We welcome you to call us or click below to book an appointment with one of our expert physiotherapists to let us immediately start assisting you in your road to recovery.

Hand and Wrist Injuries Care in Mississauga:

Physiotherapy Clinic Mississauga – Curezone Physiotherapy, Heartland Mississauga.

Physiotherapy Clinic Erin Mills – Curezone Physiotherapy, Erin Mills Mississauga.

Hand and Wrist Injuries Care in Oakville:

Physiotherapy Clinic Oakville – Curezone Physiotherapy, Burloak Oakville.