The human hand is extraordinary in design and function. The hand and the wrist contain a total of 27 bones in various sizes and lengths. Around the bones exists an assortment of nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint cartilage. Damage to any of these structures can cause various types of common hand injuries.
Carpal Tunnel
Caused by a pinching of the median nerve, carpal tunnel is more common amongst woman than men. Potential causes include:
- Inflammation from arthritis.
- Nerve damage from diabetes.
- Repetitive flexing of the wrist.
- Operation of vibrating tools.
Direct Blow or Impact
This acute injury commonly occurs from a fall, an abnormal bend, twist, or jerking of the hand. Common injuries include:
- Skier’s thumb or UCL tear. Also known as a ligament injury.
- Mallet or baseball finger. This is a bent fingertip caused by a ruptured tendon.
- Sprains. This injury involves damage to the ligaments attached to the bone. Common injuries can range from a stretch in the ligament to a complete tear.
- Compartment syndrome. This painful condition is when swelling takes place in an enclosed area. This puts pressure on the arteries, veins, and nerves which may cause permanent damage.
- Broken bones. This includes fractures which can range from a hairline crack to being broken into two.
- Dislocations. This common injury occurs often amongst athletes and hard physical labor occupations.
Burns
Various burns to the hand can often cause deformity, discoloration, loss of tissue, and blistering. Burns are often caused by:
- Contact or proximity to a direct flame.
- Hot liquids such as cooking oil and water.
- Food burns.
- Contact with a heated surface.
These common hand injuries can often cause short to long term and permanent damage. If any of these injuries occur, a medical evaluation is recommended. If you need an orthopedic surgeon for your hand injury, contact the team at Michigan Hand and Wrist to get help today.