Hand pain can have many causes, but there are some common reasons why it might occur. It could be a minor sprain – maybe you overworked your hands from typing or doing chores – or it could be a more serious condition, possibly the early stages of arthritis.
Possible causes of hand pain include arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and fractures, ganglion cysts, and tendonitis. Ultimately, there is no way to know what is causing your hand pain unless it is evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. That’s why you should schedule an appointment with one to get a proper diagnosis and explore treatment options.
In the meantime, here are some methods to achieve relief from hand pain at home.
How To Get Relief From Hand Pain
There are several things you can do to relieve hand pain at home.
- Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce inflammation and swelling. These medications lessen pain and swelling. However, check with your doctor first, since these OTC medications can interact with some medications or worsen existing medical conditions.
- Applying ice for 20 minutes at a time can also be helpful. The cold temperature will help with reducing pain and bringing down swelling.
- Wearing a splint at night may help if you have carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger/thumb. What a splint does is keep joints aligned correctly while you sleep, which stimulates healing.
- Soaking your hands in warm water with Epsom salt may provide relief from arthritis pain by reducing inflammation. The warm temperature of the water soothes the hands and increases circulation, which decreases swelling and inflammation.
- Doing exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint(s) is another good way to reduce discomfort caused by conditions like osteoarthritis. Stretch your hands regularly throughout the day by making fists, spreading your fingers wide, holding objects such as stress balls, and clenching/unclenching your fists repeatedly.
- Using fingerless gloves or wrist supports while typing helps reduce and prevent hand pain by minimizing wrist movement, thus helping you avoid further injury.
If your hand pain is severe, persists for more than a week, or interferes with your daily activities, see an orthopedic doctor for evaluation and treatment options that provide long-lasting relief from hand pain. An orthopedic surgeon can provide injections and prescribe a hand therapy program that can transform how your hands feel.
Hand Pain Treatment in Bismarck, North Dakota
For the expert treatment of hand pain, choose The Bone & Joint Center. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons frequently treat both common and complex hand and wrist conditions. We use non-surgical treatments such as hand therapy, which helps you recover from your injury, strengthen your hands, and avoid injury, as well as advanced hand and wrist surgery for severe, chronic cases that do not respond to non-surgical treatments. Find out what our doctors will recommend for your condition today. Call our office at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 to schedule an appointment or use our convenient online request form.
