Home

Will You Develop Osteoarthritis of the Knee?

Steps to Avoid
Overuse Injuries

When Your Child Breaks
a Bone

When Summer Sports Take a Toll

Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain
When Summer Sports Take a Toll
Vincent C. Phan, M.D., Board Certified and Fellowship Trained Hand Surgeon

Self-Care Measures for Overuse

If you are suffering from a mild overuse injury that causes elbow, wrist or hand pain, following the RICE measures should help: Rest the affected area for a couple days and avoid the activity that triggered the injury for several weeks. Ice the swollen area with an ice pack for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day. Compress the injured area with a compression bandage to reduce swelling. Elevate the arm, wrist or hand to help reduce swelling. For pain that doesn't improve with protection and rest, see an orthopedic specialist for a complete exam. Physical or occupational therapy or surgery may be necessary to aid healing and prevent future problems.

Summertime sports are full of arm, wrist and hand motions. Whether throwing a baseball, hitting a home run or swinging a golf club or tennis racket, the elbows, wrists and hands are all getting a harder workout than usual. This seasonal overuse of joints may result in pain, swelling or injury.

The Upper and Lower Arm's Hinge
The elbow does double duty as a hinge joint and a ball and socket joint. Three bones come together in one spot, including the upper arm's humerus bone and the forearm's radius and ulna bones. The bones are kept in alignment with ligaments that allow for bending and rotation movements.

"The good news is that elbows are less prone to wear-and-tear damage than other joints," says Vincent C. Phan, M.D., board certified hand surgeon at Methodist Orthopaedic Specialists of Texas. "Most elbow pain is the result of overuse due to sports-related activities or professions requiring repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements and can be treated by self-care measures." (See sidebar.)

"But severe pain, swelling and bruising around the elbow or difficulty moving your elbow normally needs to be checked out immediately," says Dr. Phan. "An x-ray or other imaging test is necessary if a broken bone, dislocation or nerve damage is suspected."

Common causes of elbow pain include:

• A dislocation
• An elbow fracture
• An irritated or injured ulnar nerve
• Golfer's elbow or tennis elbow
• A ligament sprain or tear
• Little Leaguer's elbow

Wrists and Hands
"Numbness or pain in your fingers, hands or wrists, especially when the wrist is flexed, may signal carpal tunnel syndrome," says Dr. Phan. "This condition represents a compression of the median nerve in the wrist and hand and usually starts with an aching in the wrist that may extend to the hand or forearm."

Carpal tunnel syndrome is typically caused by overuse with repetitive motions such as computer keyboarding and gripping activities like tennis or golf. "Using an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and swelling," says Dr. Phan. "A wrist splint may also help ease pain and numbness in mild to moderate cases." Carpal tunnel release surgery may be an option if symptoms persist for longer than six months.

For an accurate diagnosis for continuing wrist and hand pain, x-rays, a CT scan and/or MRI may be necessary.

In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, other causes of wrist and hand pain include:

• A fractured wrist or hand bone
• A ligament sprain or tear
• A lunate dislocation
• A ganglion cyst
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

When It's Time to See a Specialist
Dr. Phan can help determine the cause of your pain and recommend treatment or surgical options for a thorough recovery. Please call 866-567-4130 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Phan.