Physiotherapy For Hand & Wrist Pain At Sydney Physio Clinic
Hand and wrist pain are common complaints seen by physiotherapists within Sydney CBD clinics. There are many types of hand and wrist conditions causing pain, restricted movement, or strength deficits. These symptoms can lead to poor gripping, lifting, manipulation of objects. And generally impacting hand function, requiring wrist pain physio treatment.
Causes of wrist and hand pain could be the result of a sudden traumatic injury, or from repetitive stress and overload. As well as these more “mechanical” triggers certain medical conditions can contribute to wrist and hand pain. Medical conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pregnancy… are other potential reasons behind patients experiencing pain, or reduced function of the hand or wrist.
Common Conditions That Benefit From Wrist Pain Physio
- In general, osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist is not particularly common. However out of all areas in the wrist and hand, the base of the thumb most commonly suffers osteoarthritis. Previous injury to the wrist, such as a fracture following a fall can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. A condition often anecdotally related to performing repetitive tasks with the hands. Such as typing, drawing, writing… As well as this, a buildup in fluid in your wrist area during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can potentially lead to the onset of carpal tunnel symptoms.
- Ganglion cysts are benign soft tissue cysts that are sometimes symptomatic. Often only a cosmetic issue, they can however cause pain in the wrist with specific movements. When symptomatic it is often pushing activities like performing a push up, or bench press that trigger pain.
- De Quervains tenosynovitisis is frequently the result of repetitive loading stress to the tendons that help move the thumb. At our physio practice this source of pain is relatively common in breastfeeding mothers, causing pain at the base of their thumb.
- Scaphoid fractures and other fractures of the wrist – like a Colles’ fracture are common injuries that benefit from wrist pain physio services. A scaphoid fracture is a fracture to the small bone on the thumb side of the wrist. Whereas a Colles’ fracture is a particular type of fracture to the distal radius (the long bone on the thumb side of the forearm) near the wrist. Both these fractures can be caused by a fall on to an outstretched arm and hand.
A Complex Area Requiring Accurate Diagnosis
Needless to say, the hand and wrist is a very complex area. The wrist alone is made up of eight small bones. These bones are arranged in two rows articulating with each other and articulating with the two long bones of your forearm. As well as these joint articulations, there is a network of ligaments and joint capsules helping to connect the bones together. Add in all the tendons and nerves passing either side of the wrist. And all the muscles originating in the hand itself, and it makes for an impressive feat of nature’s engineering.
Strain, or damage to any of the above listed tissues can potentially cause pain and affect ones ability to use their hand. What this complexity also highlights, is due to there being a myriad of potential pain sources in the area, accurate diagnosis is crucial.
All our physiotherapists at Sydney Physio Clinic are highly trained in the assessment and management of hand and wrist pain.
Wrist Pain Treatment Techniques
Wrist pain physio sessions addressing injuries resulting from a sudden impact like a fall, or twisting injury, vary from treatment sessions directed to manage pain from overuse, such as playing a musical instrument, playing tennis, or lifting weights. Furthermore, any wrist pain physio treatment for arthritic conditions like psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are managed differently again.
Wrist pain physio treatment may involve among other things: sports taping, bracing, strengthening, stretching and mobilising tight tissues… ergonomic assessment of a work station, sporting equipment, leisure device, or activity may also be necessary.
The ergonomic assessment of equipment and tasks is especially topical regarding overuse injuries. As it is for patients returning to work, or sport following a significant traumatic injury to the hand or wrist. Physiotherapist Sydney CBD clinics, like Sydney Physio Clinic, can help manage your hand and wrist pain whatever the cause.
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Get in touch with Sydney Physio Clinic for a treatment session with our knowledgeable physiotherapists at our Macquarie Street location in the heart of Sydney CBD
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