Physical Therapists in Salt Lake City Utah rehabilitate people with disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system. Chronic pain in the hands is a troubling problem for many. Since the hands are needed to do so many day to day tasks, unmanageable aching can be disruptive to life. Tendons and ligaments are connective tissue that joins cartilage and joints. The human hand has multiple joints that are in constant use. Osteoarthritis and other issues of the hands are very painful in advanced stages.
Thumb basal joint arthritis is a type of deterioration in the base of the thumb. Problems in this area of the hand cause pain when pinching or gripping things. It’s a prevailing problem among women who are over fifty with osteoarthritis. It occurs when cartilage deteriorates in the thumb joint. Symptoms are swelling, limited range of motion and weakness in the hand. Twisting lids on containers and turning doorknobs can be especially challenging. Physical Therapists in Salt Lake City Utah offer a great deal of help to treat thumb arthritis in the earliest stages. The sooner it’s treated, the less likely it is to progress and cause a problem that requires surgery. Targeted manual massage therapy increases mobility in the problem areas and reduces inflammation. A hand splint secures the thumb in a comfortable position and limits movements that inflict pain. Corticosteriod injections is an additional treatment available when non-medicinal therapy is not enough.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem that affects the nerve responsible for feeling and movement in the hand. When the nerve is pinched from increased pressure, it causes tingling, numbness and sometimes severe pain. Repetitive tasks like an occupation that requires consistent typing or something that continually uses the hands eventually causes this condition to develop. Some women get carpal tunnel in pregnancy due to excess water retention that puts pressure on the median nerve. It usually disappears shortly after delivery when the body stops storing extra water. Massage therapy helps carpal tunnel syndrome as well. Wrist splinting is proven to be very helpful. It limits the flow of fluid in the wrist that contributes to nerve compression. Many people using wrist splints for carpal tunnel certify that it significantly decreases numbness, aching and tingling sensations, thus restoring normal functionality of the hands. Click Here to learn more about orthopedic therapies for the hands.
