Common Arm Issues



Life is full of things that we all too often take for granted. Your hands, wrists and forearms are probably something you never even really think about – that is unless something goes wrong, whether you suffer an injury or some form of condition that causes pain. The littlest things can become really hard, picking up a fork, doing up a button, moving your wrist or straightening a finger. Hand, wrist and elbow issues can prevent you from enjoying life, whether working, playing sports or just trying to relax with family. Like most things health and injury related, there are things that you can do to prevent the issues occuring in the first place, but also manage and treat if they are already causing you problems.

Before we get into the more common issues we see with hands wrists and elbows, there are two fundamental stretches you should practice right now – that should be a regular part of every day life for you. Just something you do throughout the day, to continually release any tightness and tension built up in your wrists and arms.

Flexor stretch 

Extensor stretch

 

6 of the most common Issues affecting the hand, wrist & elbow:

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is extremely common, with approx 3% of Australians suffering from it. The highest incidences found in the 40 to 50 age group. This syndrome causes numbness, tingling, weakness and other symptoms in your hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of a pinched nerve, or compression of the median nerve within in your wrist.

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome should ideally start as soon as possible after you begin experiencing symptoms.

Mild symptoms respond well to frequent breaks to rest the hand, avoiding activities that cause symptoms and applying a cold pack to ease occasional swelling. Wrist splints, non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections may also help if the pain is more significant. 

2. Trigger finger

Trigger finger isn’t a product of gun slinging int he wild west, it’s a descriptive name for when inflammation narrows the space within the sheaths of your finger and traps the tendon. The sheath can release the tendon suddenly, causing your finger to straighten out.

Treatment for trigger finger depends largely on its severity. Resting your finger may resolve mild symptoms, or your doctor may recommend wearing a splint. Over-the-counter pain relievers or steroid injections can also alleviate discomfort and provide temporary relief.

Surgery for trigger finger focuses on releasing the tendon and widening the sheath, allowing the tendon to move freely.

3. Ganglion cysts

Ganglion cysts are a pretty common lump or mass in the hand. They can occur anywhere on the body, but most common in the wrist. Lumps develop and disappear quickly. They can feel a bit awkward, but fortunately, these non-cancerous lumps are usually harmless.

Doctors usually recommend waiting and watching the cysts for unusual changes. 

4. Arthritis

Scary word for many, and not something we ever want to think about, but arthritis is all to common an in issue in Austrlia. There are several types of arthritis and each affects joints in different ways. Osteoarthritis breaks down the slippery cartilage protecting the ends of your bones where they form a joint, while rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints.

Certain medications can help to ease pain, reduce swelling, improve motion and address other symptoms of arthritis in the wrist. NSAIDs, for example, relieve pain and ease inflammation. Corticosteroids relieve inflammation too. Other osteoarthritis medications are also available to slow bone loss or help your body build new bone – but your Doctor will need to sign you up to any of the more aggressive treatments.

5. Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondilytus)

You don’t need to be Roger Federer to suffer from Tennis elbow. Essentially it just describes overuse of your elbow. Playing racquet sports like tennis can of course cause tennis elbow, but other overuse activities can lead to the condition also. Tennis elbow occurs as the result of inflammation of the tendons joining your forearm muscles to the bones on the outside of your elbow. NSAIDs, physical therapy, steroid injections and the use of braces to ease symptoms of tennis elbow are common. Surgery may be necessary if 6 to 12 months of conservative measures do not ease symptoms.

6. Golfer’s elbow

Like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury that causes inflammation and tenderness of tendons in your elbow. Unlike tennis elbow, however, golfer’s elbow causes pain at the inside of your elbow. Rest is the key recommendation, along with NSAIDs, stretching and strengthening exercises, and the use of a splint to support your elbow. Corticosteroid injections may also provide temporary relief.

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