Elbow, Wrist and Hand Pain

Elbow, wrist and hand pain can be debilitating as it can limit so many of your normal day-to-day activities.Common causes of pain include:

Tennis or Golfers Elbow – causes pain and tenderness around the outside or inside of the elbow respectively. Tennis elbow is more common than golfer’s elbow, but both injuries tend to be due to repetitive overuse from a hobby, sport or activity – not just from tennis or golf as the name suggests. Sometimes a single injury such a sudden unexpected tug on the forearm can cause the symptoms. Once the pain starts, normal activities and habits can maintain the problem. Pre-existing problems with the neck, wrist or shoulder, that might not be painful in themselves, can make it more likely to experience tennis or golfers elbow.

Carpal Tunnel – is a complaint affecting the median nerve as it passes through wrist into the hand. Sufferers feel a sensation of numbness and/or pain in the hand and occasionally into the forearm and often experience weakness and lack of dexterity, particularly into the thumb. Although it can be associated with repetitive activities, it is sometimes associated with pregnancy or conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. Problems with the neck and upper back may also predispose to the condition.

Osteoarthritis – progressive wearing of the cartilage of the joints leading to the two bones of the joint rubbing together to cause pain. It can particularly affect the joints at the ends of the fingers or at the base of the thumb, causing pain and stiffness and making it difficult to use your hands and wrists properly.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – is commonly caused by chronic overuse of the thumb leading to inflammation of tendons on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb resulting in pain which can extend up the forearm. This pain is often aggravated by repetitive lifting, gripping or twisting motions of the hand and is more common in activities such as golfing, office work, playing a musical instrument or manual work such as carpentry.

Referred forearm, wrist and hand pain – pain is experienced in an area away from the actual point of injury e.g. pain in this area is usually referred from the neck or upper back

Sprained wrist or fingers – usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion causing the joints to bend into an abnormal position.

Your osteopath will work with you to try and understand the cause of your elbow, wrist or hand pain and will be able to provide either osteopathic treatment or guidance as to whether your condition warrants further investigation.

Depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis your osteopath will use a wide range of techniques to help reduce muscle tension and improve mobility in the elbow, wrist or hand, neck and upper back joints. Strengthening and/or stretching exercises will also be provided along with advice on elbow/wrist braces or sports strapping and hydrotherapy where appropriate. Osteopathic treatment can be very successful in reducing elbow, wrist or hand stiffness and pain and can help in a faster return to normal activity.