There are not many jobs in the modern society that do not require a high level of use and function of the hands. Whether it be highly skilled and dextrous use of fingers on fine tasks, forceful lifting \/ pushing \/ pulling moving of loads or typing at a keyboard, the hands will be exposed to various forces throughout a shift. As a consequence of these daily loads some level of wrist and hand pain or discomfort is to be expected but when pain, swelling or locking occur, activity can become quite limited.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are many potential causes of pain in the wrist and hands that can be assessed and treated by a physiotherapist:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While wrist and hand pain is rarely anything serious you should seek urgent care, A&E<\/strong>, if:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Carpal Tunnel is as it sounds \u2013 a tunnel bound by the carpal bones (at the wrist crease) and a tough ligament through which many tendons \/ nerves and blood vessels pass to the hand. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a very common work-relevant condition, often seen within occupational health physiotherapy clinics as improper care can often result in lengthy sickness absence. Inflammation of the carpal tunnel area causes irritation of the structures within the carpal tunnel, in particular the median nerve, causing pain in the hands and wrists, pins and needles and numbness in the hands and weakness, particularly of the thumb and index finger. Symptoms can affect one or both hands and can be triggered by repetitive activities in the workplace. If you are suffering from work related carpal tunnel syndrome you may need to seek help and support through your line manager or occupational health service early on and consider a temporary period on alternative duties.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n CTS is multifactorial and so there are a number of factors that can influence your likelihood of developing symptoms, as well as the severity of symptoms, and symptoms usually develop due to a combination of these factors, not just one. These factors can include<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n De Quervain\u2019s Tenosynovitis (DQT) is a common work-relevant condition, often seen within occupational health physiotherapy clinics as improper care can often result in lengthy sickness absence. Inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tendons at the outer base of the thumb can result in pain and swelling and difficulty moving or using your thumb, for example when gripping or pinching. If you are suffering from work related thumb pain, you may need to help and seek support through your line manager or occupational health service early on and consider a temporary period on alternative duties.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n DQT is multifactorial and so there are a number of factors that can influence your likelihood of developing symptoms, as well as the severity of symptoms, and symptoms usually develop due to a combination of these factors, not just one. These factors can include<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Just like our hair turns more grey with age, our joints may gradually become achy and stiff as osteoarthritis progresses and local tissue reacts. The wrist and thumb joints are certainly no exception to this with the amount of daily activity they accrue.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As well as discomfort around the wrist or at the base of the thumb, you may start to notice that it is becoming difficult to bend the wrist back over with wrist changes or open your grip to grasp wide objects or open jar tops when the thumb is affected.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Manual activities in the workplace may place strain on these joints so if you are suffering from wrist or thumb pain at work then seek help and support early on as you may need alternative duties for a temporary period.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Osteoarthritis is a natural process of ageing increasingly seen through each decade of life with people having evidence of osteoarthritis in their joints on specialist scans despite having no pain to report. Symptoms of osteoarthritis however may be more typically experienced as people age past 45-55 years of age. Pain from Osteoarthritis, however, can occur from a seemingly random flare caused by a change of cell activity in the body or perhaps from repeated or sudden overload to the altered joint which eventually leads to an increase in local swelling \/ irritation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is some indication however that certain factors may predispose someone to a higher risk of developing wrist or thumb osteoarthritis:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tendons run down the front and back of the wrist into the fingers and thumb to allow the incredible movement and function needed for life\u2019s activities. These tendons run through tight pulleys at certain points to allow better efficiency of power and are protected in smooth sheaths to allow the tendons to glide with less friction. This is an incredible evolution but can be a source of pain, swelling and eventual locking of the finger or thumb when irritated as swelling prevents the tendon gliding through these tight spaces. As a result, the finger or thumb can seem stuck in a flexed position and often needs to be \u2018prised\u2019 straight again with the other hand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, trying to keep active at work with pain and increasing locking of the thumb or fingers may be difficult. Seek support early on through your line manager or occupational health service. A temporary period of alternative duties may be useful to help your recovery.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Trigger finger or trigger thumb is the result of swelling and irritation between the effected tendon and the sheath surrounding it. With thickening or swelling of either tissue there becomes less space for the tendon to glide through the tight tunnel and sometimes it can get blocked or stuck either side of the narrowing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sudden increase in gripping \/ pinching based forces or long-term gradual overload of such forces may lead to irritation, swelling and thickening of tissue and potential onset of \u2018trigger-like’ symptoms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The majority of wrist and hand pain cases can be treated conservatively with physiotherapy treatment and advice, <\/span>however, <\/span><\/i><\/b>your attitude and the actions you take are the most important factors in preventing long-term problems. The most effective way to manage symptoms are to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At Physiotherapy Matters, our physiotherapists can conduct a thorough assessment to confirm a diagnosis and work with you to help you manage work related wrist and hand pain and return to normal activity by<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wrist and Hand Pain at Work There are not many jobs in the modern society that do not require a … read more<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":598,"parent":85,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1055","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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Work Related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?<\/h3>\n
What Causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?<\/h4>\n
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Work Related De Quervain\u2019s Tenosynovitis?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
What Causes De Quervain\u2019s Tenosynovitis?<\/h4>\n
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Osteoarthritis of the wrist or thumb<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
What causes Osteoarthritis related pain?<\/h4>\n
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Trigger Finger or Trigger thumb<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
What causes Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb?<\/h4>\n
How can I help myself?<\/h4>\n
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How can physiotherapy help?<\/h4>\n
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