Hand Pain: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

The human hand is one of the complex structures of our body consisting of 27 bones. Since, hands allow strong, precise, smooth, and dexterous movements so they often get strained or injured. Hand pain is a very common problem that may result from injury, arthritis, autoimmune disorder, or any other underlying disorder. Hands are often vulnerable to injury.

Hand pain is a very common problem occurring nowadays. Common symptoms related to hand pain include:

1. Pain in the wrist or fingers joint, nature may be dull or burning.
2. Inflammation and swelling in the joints in the hand.
3. Different sensations such as grinding, grating around the joints.
4. Changes that are evident around the thumb joints.
5. Warmth feeling at the affected joints.
6. Presence of cysts at the fingers end.
7. Pain in the joints at night.
8. Trouble in grasping any objects and decrease the grip to hold any object.

Hand pain may be caused by the following reasons:

• Arthritis, which is the most common cause.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Gout.
• Ganglion cysts.
• Lupus.
• Peripheral neuropathy.
• Nerve damage and inflammation.
• Repetitive motion injuries.
• Sprain and fractures.
• Severe chronic health conditions.

The diagnosis of hand pain is done under the supervision of a specialist in the following steps:

1. Detailed information about the complaint:

   It includes a detailed explanation of the symptoms as well as the duration of the problem.

2. Physical examination:

   It involves the proper examination of hand and wrist while checking the movement and strength of the same.

3. Diagnostic procedures:

   Such as X-ray, CT scan and MRI may be advised in some cases.

4. Nerve conduction:

   A nerve conduction study may be performed.

The stiffness and swelling that come with hand discomfort can deplete energy and make it harder to do simple tasks like buttoning garments.

One of the most typical causes of hand discomfort is osteoarthritis, which develops when the shock-absorbing cartilage between bones in the finger joints and at the base of the thumb wears away or is damaged.The pain and tingling you experience when pressure is placed on the median nerve in the wrist or the ulnar nerve close to the elbow are examples of nerve diseases that can also cause hand pain. Tendinitis, an infection of the tissue that connects muscles to bones, can occasionally cause hand pain.

Hand pain can be treated by various treatment options, such as-

• Splinting of wrist
• Medications
• Activity modifications
• Avoiding overuse of hands
• Surgery in severe cases
• Using heat or ice packs on the affected area

Hand pain treatment is done by following distinct procedures, like-

• Staying away from behaviours that cause persistent pain
• Taking painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Switching between ice and heat therapy
• Wearing splints to support the affected hand
• Taking proper rest to manage symptoms

Hand pain can be managed and prevented by adopting some self-care techniques as well as home remedies. Some of those steps which we can take in order to prevent the condition are such as:

• Such work needs to be avoided which triggers the condition of pain.
• Intake of some over the counter medicines including analgesics and NSAIDS.
• The application of an ice pack can reduce the swelling and inflammation.
• Application of heat on the affected area in the form of wheat bags, hot water bags, or a warm shower, also works well.
• The use of splints for support to the hands and wrists is significant.
• Movement of the hand and wrists is much important.

People who are not eligible for the hand pain treatment include-

• One who does not display any signs of hand pain, including swollen hands and pain in the finger joints.
• Hands that do not appear to be pale and red.
• People who do not experience discomfort due to pain in their hands.

In order to treat hand discomfort, doctors frequently prescribe treatments and medications, which can result in adverse consequences like the following:

• Heavy drug usage is discouraged for those with heart conditions and high blood pressure because it could result in cardiac arrest.
• Overusing opioids in an effort to quickly alleviate hand pain is a terrible idea because it increases the risk of heart disease, physical deterioration, and a sleepy sensation.
• Other than simple painkillers, elderly diabetics need a specific dosage of medication. Everyone is encouraged to take an antacid as well while using painkillers.

Hand pain comes along with common side effects such as pain in joints of fingers and wrists, redness and swelling and difficulty to carry out day to day activities. With the course of the treatment there are some side effects as well. Besides physiotherapy and exercises, patients are often medicated with pain killers and pain killers are useful but with improper and overuse of the dosage, there might be various side effects. With the overuse of the pain killers, patients might have side effects such as nausea, rashes, and liver damage (when the drug is overused). Doctors prescribe an antacid along with the painkillers as painkillers often cause side effects of stomach upset as well.

The recovery period from Hand pain is quite variable for a different patient. It may get recovered within a time span of a few days to some weeks with the help of proper treatment and medications. However, Hand pain treatment may go a long way in severe cases too.

Hand pain treatment often requires surgeries along with long-term medications and physiotherapies. The cost of treatment is pocket-friendly. In case of surgeries, depending on the condition of the patient, surgeries range from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. There is also a need for continuous medications which cost monthly between Rs. 500 to 1500 and the physiotherapy session charges depend from doctor to doctor which usually range between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 3500. There might be some additional equipment that needs to be bought by the patients such as splinters, acupuncture machines, compression gloves. The cost of the equipment depends on the quality and branding of the product which might range between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 5000.

The treatment methods for the condition of health pain involves self-care techniques including light and gentle exercises, home remedies such as massage therapy, application of heat, and over the counter medicines like paracetamol and RICE therapy involving rest, ice, compression, and elevation techniques for the relief from severe pain and discomfort.

Though the results of these methods are permanent, chances of recurrence still persist.

Hand pain requires continuous and periodic treatment in order to cure the pain. These pains are abrupt in nature and can arrive suddenly when you have an injury or overwork. For aged people, due to the deficiency of proper immune system, it requires a long time to heal. With proper medications and exercises, the pain eases but you need to maintain yourself as well. The results of the treatment are sporadic and can be chronic again when additional damage occurs on the affected area. The treatment of hand pain requires a long procurement period so you need to be patient with the outcomes of the treatment.

Food may have an impact, both positive as well as negative, on the condition of the hand pain.

Hence it is important for us to know about the food items which can ease the pain and enhance mobility or movements in the hand joints. Some of those are such as:

• Sources of omega-3 fatty acids such as fish oils, fatty fishes like salmon and sardines.
• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds.
• Green vegetables like cabbage, mustard greens, and kale.
• Fruits such as apple, blueberries, and pineapple.
• Healthy oils such as olive oil.
• Lentils and beans like chickpeas, soya bean.
• Whole grains such as barley, rye, oats, whole wheat.
• Dark chocolate.

Although health problems such as hand pain are mild in most cases, it is followed by control and management through self-care techniques, home remedies, and over-the-counter medicines. However in certain conditions when the symptoms are severe and prolonged, there arises a need for urgent medical care and attention. Such symptoms include:

• The feeling of severe pain and discomfort in the hand or wrists.
• If there is a chance of any fracture in the bones of the hand, fingers, or wrists.
• Loss of senses in part or the whole hand.
• Hand or wrists or their part seems to be in an abnormal shape.
• Restricted movements of hands, fingers, or wrists.

Summary: Hand pain is one of the most common health problems occurring nowadays. The treatment methods involve self-care techniques including light and gentle exercises and home remedies such as massage therapy as well as the application of heat. Other methods include over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and RICE therapy involving rest, ice, compression, and elevation for relief from severe pain and discomfort. Urgent medical care may be needed in severe cases.