Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, weakness and clumsiness in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. Symptoms can become worse during the night than they are in the day. These symptoms can be made worse if you have a pre-existing condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, water retention, inflammation or wrist fractures. Carpal tunnel syndrome affects more women than men, especially during pregnancy and is most common between the age of 40-65. In carpal tunnel syndrome the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The carpal tunnel is already narrow as it contains the wrist bones and a thick ligament.
What can I do to reduce my symptoms?
Take regular breaks from repetitive tasks and consider other ways a task can be done, try alternating heavier tasks with lighter tasks
Avoid prolonged gripping or pinching - loosening your grip when reading a book or when holding your phone
Use soft gloves or softer conforming handles to reduce vibration during activities such as lawn mowing or bike riding
See a physiotherapist for exercise and splinting advice
Broken Fingers - Finger Fracture
A fracture is a broken or cracked bone, they take approximately 4-6 weeks to heal. and can occur alongside a dislocation. If you have a complete break your bone can fracture into two or more pieces. If you suspect that you have broken finger then an x-ray is required A fractured or dislocated finger can look bruised due to damage to the small blood vessels you may feel a sharp pain when you touch it. If the finger is fractured, the bones may need to be moved back into place and it may then need to be supported in a splint, plaster cast or strapped to the finger next to it. This will hold the bone in position as it heals. Occasionally, if the fracture is severe, surgery is needed to stabilise the broken bone by fixing it with plates, screws and small wires.
When you have had confirmation that your fracture has healed you can start rehabilitation. As you finger has been kept still whilst the fracture heals, your finger is likely to be painful, stiff and probably will not bend as much as before the injury. This is normal and you should start rehabilitation which includes exercises and stretches, strengthening exercises to build your muscles back up and ensure you have a strong grip. A Physiotherapist can help guide you on the right exercises to do.
Most elbow pain goes away in a few days, however elbow pain that continues to be a problem may need more specific advice. You do not need to play tennis or golf to develop tennis or golfers elbow!
Tennis elbow is a very common complaint - the pain is normally felt on the outside of your elbow and may also be felt in the forearm. You are likely to feel pain on gripping with the hand when picking up objects, opening jars or doors, pain and stiffness when bending and straightening the elbow and/or the wrist, weakness in gripping with the feeling that you might drop what you are holding - a physiotherapist can help guide you on the right exercises to do.
Golfers elbow is very similar to tennis elbow but the pain is felt on the inside of the elbow and may also be felt in the forearm on the palm side. You may feel pain on gripping and lifting - a physiotherapist can help guide you on the right exercises to do.
Olecranon Bursitis is swelling at the back of the elbow which is the size of a golf ball - you should arrange an appointment with your GP to get appropriate treatment
Fractured or broken arm - if you suspect you have broken your arm you should seek urgent medical advice and go for an x-ray. It may be difficult to move, painful, swollen and bruised. It may have changed shape, colour and feel numb. If the arm is fractured then it may be splinted whilst the swelling goes down, then put in a plastercast a few days later. if the fracture is severe, surgery may be needed to stabilise the broken bone by fixing it with plates and screws. Fractured forearms and wrists take approximately 6-8 weeks to heal. Fractured upper arm (humerus) takes approximately 6-12 weeks to heal.
When you have had confirmation that your fracture has healed you can start rehabilitation. As your arm has been kept still whilst the fracture heals, your arm is likely to be painful, stiff and probably will not move as much as before the injury. This is normal and you should start rehabilitation which includes exercises and stretches, strengthening exercises to build your muscles back up and ensure you can do all the activities that you could before the injury - a physiotherapist can help guide you on the right exercises to do.