These non-surgical alternatives have the potential to improve your independence and day-to-day activities.
The ache in the hands is more than simply an annoyance. discomfort in the hands can cause a loss of strength and a reduction in the ability to perform ordinary tasks, such as buttoning garments. Stiffness and swelling are symptoms that accompany hand discomfort.
The condition known as osteoarthritis, which occurs when the shock-absorbing cartilage that is located between the bones in the finger joints and at the base of the thumb becomes worn or destroyed, is one of the most common causes of hand discomfort. The pain and tingling that you experience when there is pressure on the median nerve in the wrist (which is the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome) or the ulnar nerve in the elbow can also be the result of nerve diseases. Hand discomfort can also be caused by nerve conditions. A condition known as tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the tissue that connects muscles to bones, can occasionally be the cause of hand pain. This article will discuss five different approaches that can assist manage hand discomfort, maintain hand function, and prevent surgery.
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The position of your fingers, thumb, or wrist can be stabilized with the use of a splint. If you experience a flare-up of arthritis, you may choose to wear a splint for a few weeks in order to allow the inflammation to subside.
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Injections of corticosteroids into joints have the potential to alleviate inflammation in certain joints. The relaxation that it offers can persist for a considerable amount of time. Some individuals see a reduction in the quantity of relief they receive from successive injections.
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3 NSAIDs
There is no evidence that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) is beneficial in treating carpal tunnel syndrome; nevertheless, it does assist reduce hand pain by inhibiting enzymes that are responsible for producing pain and swelling. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) have been associated to ulcers, bleeding in the stomach, damage to the liver, and an increased risk of heart attacks on a long-term basis. NSAIDs that are used topically, including diclofenac (Voltaren), are less dangerous.
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Heat can loosen hand stiffness. Even a hot shower will do the job. Cold is effective for hand pain that results from activity, such as playing golf. Apply it in the form of flexible gel pads you keep in the freezer, or even bags of frozen peas or corn, which conform well to the three-dimensional complexities of the hand.
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The tendons and muscles of your hand are the primary focus of these. By guiding you through exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles, a physical therapist or occupational therapist can help you lessen the amount of discomfort you are experiencing and absorb the stress that is being placed on the joints in your hand.