Introduction
Tendons are flexible and strong tissues in our body that prevent muscle injury while performing high-intensity movements or workouts. They are pretty much close to a rope. When this rope becomes overused, it leads to Tendinitis.
The tendons or ropes of the hand are -
- Flexor digitorum profundus
- Flexor digitorum superficialis
- Extensor digitorum communis
- Extensor digiti minimi
- Extensor indicis proprius
Each of them have a certain activity assigned.
Symptoms
- Throbbing pain while moving the hand
- Sense of grating or grinding in the hand
- Hand looks swollen due to fluid accumulation
Causes
- Frequent exhaustive movements of hand while performing
- any sport such as gymnastics or basketball.
- Previous hand injuries that are not healed adequately
- Smoking
- Diabetes, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Doing intense workout involving the hand without a proper warm up that includes stretching.
Treatments
- Firstly, always consult a doctor before starting any medications and applying splints as they will be customised according to the patient.
- At home, for first aid you can follow the RICE technique
- Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate to reduce the symptoms of inflammation such swelling, redness and pain.
- Physical therapy will be offered further and must be practised after learning from a professional physiotherapist.
Prevention
- Avoid sudden repetitive movements of the hand without prior warm up.
- Incase of any hand injury, follow your doctors orders and do not strain the hand.
- Avoid smoking
- Wear the hand splints as prescribed by your doctor to prevent further aggravation.
Conclusion
Hand tendonitis is a preventable condition and can be managed well by an orthopaedician, all you have to do is follow the above mentioned tips.
