Here is a discussion and common ailments for the hand. Most of these conditions can be treated naturally with effective results. The hand is composed of many different bones, muscles, and ligaments that allow for a large amount of movement and dexterity (http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/orthopaedics/hand/pages/index.aspx).
There are three major types of bones in the hand itself, including the following:
• phalanges – the 14 bones that are found in the fingers of each hand and also in the toes of each foot. Each finger has three phalanges (the distal, middle, and proximal); the thumb only has two.
• metacarpal bones – the five bones that compose the middle part of the hand.
• carpal bones – the eight bones that create the wrist. The carpal bones are connected to two bones of the arm, the ulnar bone and the radius bone.
Numerous muscles, ligaments, and sheaths can also be found within the hand. The muscles are the structures that can contract, allowing movement of the bones in the hand. The ligaments are fibrous tissues that help bind together the joints in the hand. The sheaths are tubular structures that surround part of the fingers.
With so many parts, there are a variety of issues that can cause hand problems:
Arthritis- Joint inflammation can occur in multiple areas of your hand including the synovial membrane, the tendons, and the ligaments.
Carpal tunnel syndrome- When the median nerve is compressed in the wrist, many symptoms can result such as difficulty making a fist or grasping objects, pain and numbness, and burning and tingling.
Ganglion cysts- Benign, soft-tissue tumors in the front or back of the hand.
Tendon problems- Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon and tenosynovitis is inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths.
Injuries such as dislocated fingers, fractures, sprains, or strains can also cause hand pain and there are diseases and infections such as cellulitis that can also cause issues.
If you are experiencing hand pain or discomfort and are ready to book an appointment, I will be happy to work with you to figure out the best care pathway for your individual needs.
We also have more blog posts about hand pain for further reading.
