Hand pain is very common and usually results from an injury or overuse of the wrist or the hand. However, recurring or persistent pain in the arms or hand may be an indication of an underlying condition. The wrist and hand contain many joints, bones, and connective tissues - tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and nerves. An injury to your hand can mangle these structures and even disrupt your hand’s normal range of motion.
What are the possible causes of hand injuries? The common causes of hand injuries may include -
Symptoms You Should Look Out for Hand injuries are often a debilitating condition, and exhibit the following symptoms -
When to See a Doctor In most cases, hand pain due to a minor injury heals on its own in a day or two. However, you should not overlook the condition if the symptoms are long-lasting. Ideally, you should visit an orthopedic if -
Can surgery help treat hand injuries?
If the initial treatment methods - RICE therapy and pain medications - fail to yield desired results, then your doctor may recommend surgery. There are several types of hand surgery. The doctor will analyze the underlying cause of the pain and perform an appropriate procedure.
The procedure involves replacing skin on the injured area of your hand with healthier skin from any other portion of the body, known as the donor site. This type of surgery is done for fingertip injuries or amputations.
What to Expect Following the Surgery? Recovery after the procedure depends largely on the type of hand surgery you have had. Sometimes, you may have to undergo multiple surgeries to ensure that the pain is cured completely. You will likely feel pain ranging from severe to mild after the surgery, for which your doctor will prescribe pain medications. This usually eases the pain in a week. To help you get back to daily activities, your doctor may also recommend physiotherapy.
Surgery is the most effective treatment option to ease pain associated with severe hand injuries. If you have been suffering from recurring/persistent pain, and are looking for a permanent cure, then you should consider visiting a specialist.