Jill Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN
We are rapidly approaching mid 2022 and many of us are attempting and becoming more active since doing less in the past 2 years. You may not be going to the gym, but folks are certainly becoming more involved with gardening, golfing, bowling, cooking or other hobbies of painting, crafting and card playing. We cannot forget as well how much we have all been using our smartphones, tablets, and computers as part of our daily routines! But you are noticing your hand, wrist, palms and/or fingers are starting to ache, stiffen or even become numb and it's making it difficult to participate in these activities we enjoy. So, what causes these symptoms and what can you do?
Symptom presentation can vary dependent on diagnosis as well as the demand and usage of our hands, most commonly diagnoses such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel, fractures, and varying tendonitis typically related to overuse.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common age-related process where the cartilage, or "lining" of one's joints breaks down causing friction and fluctuations in inflammation. Often people with arthritis, particularly in their thumbs have difficulty bending fingers or they feel stuck. Conversely rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system related disorder than can also affect one's hands depending on how progressive and how well managed.
Carpal Tunnel: This is the most common peripheral neuropathy with symptoms of numbness/pain in palm and usually one's thumb, index and middle fingers and can sometimes be relieved when someone "shakes their hand out." Carpal tunnel is related to compression of the median nerve as it enters the wrist/hand.
Fractures: This is very commonly seen in our patients as they age and usually related to an injury sustained from a fall. Whether surgery is required or not, typically one's arm is immobilized in a cast or splint and upon adequate healing can have resultant weakness in grip, lack of mobility and significant stiffness that can make it difficult to use effected hand despite it being "healed."
Tendonitis: There are a multitude of diagnoses related to tendinopathies dependent on location with including De Quervain Tenosynovitis related to inflammation in the tendon sheaths along the thumb/side of wrist. Trigger finger is also a common problem with inflammation of effected digit tendon that make it difficult to straighten.
Not managing these symptoms can lead to longer term problems such as losing grip strength and ability to lift or open jars or doorknobs. Decreased mobility of malformation as well as prolonged numbness can heavily affect your dexterity and aptitude to do small motor tasks like buttoning our clothing, zipping jackets, or even using cutlery to eat and drink. At Professional Rehabilitation Services one of our licensed therapists will provide you with an evaluation and subsequent individualized approach and care plan to address your issues and goals for usage of your upper extremity. We utilize different pain management, manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and re-education to get your back to your old self!
At Professional Rehabilitation Services, we treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions using the latest in evidence-based therapies provided by highly credentialed physical therapists. Professional Rehabilitation Services has eight convenient locations in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Little River and Longs.
For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP at Professional Rehabilitation Services (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Brian P. Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Lisa O'Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Little River) (843) 281- 4222, Samantha Crisafulli PT, DPT (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels PT, DPT (Market Commons) (843) 213-6338, (Longs) (843)491-0388 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
