Orthopedics

When to Visit a Family Medicine Provider for Hand and Wrist Pain

The hand is a complex part of the body, made up of many small bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and other structures to allow them to perform a number of intricate movements. The hand and wrist are therefore quite vulnerable to many injuries and conditions which can cause pain and reduced function.

If you have hand and wrist pain that doesn’t seem to be improving despite home remedies (such as taking over-the-counter pain-relief medicine), you should visit a family medicine provider for a medical evaluation – because delaying treatment may allow the problem to become worse. Let’s talk about when you will know that it is indeed necessary to see a family medicine provider for your aching hand and wrist.

When Should I See a Family Medicine Provider About Hand Pain?

Some hand and wrist conditions and injuries are short-term and may go away on their own or with resting the area. But other conditions warrant further investigation and treatment from a family medicine provider in order to have a successful outcome.

You should visit your family medicine provider if:

  • Symptoms don’t improve with rest and ice therapy
  • You experience pain or discomfort even when the hand is not moving
  • You have a reduced range of motion in the hand, wrist, and/or fingers
  • Pain, swelling, or hand/wrist function is getting worse rather than better
  • You have signs of infection (redness, heat, fever, or chills)
  • You experience tingling or numbness regularly in your hands
  • Normal, everyday activities are causing pain or are becoming increasingly difficult
  • Simple treatments and over-the-counter medication do not help

Some symptoms require urgent treatment by a family medicine provider, as they may indicate a fracture or dislocation. Signs may include severe pain, swelling, bruising, an obvious sudden deformity, or an inability to move your hand, wrist, or fingers normally.

Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain

There are many potential causes of hand and wrist pain, but some of the most common causes include the following:

Arthritis

The technical definition of arthritis is inflammation in one or more joints. Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, and the hand is one of the most common parts of the body to be affected by arthritis.

Arthritis can get worse over time if left untreated. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, as it results from wear-and-tear of the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones in a joint. If the cartilage has worn down or worn away, it causes painful bone-on-bone rubbing. This can happen to young athletes and active older adults alike.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed or entrapped, preventing it from functioning properly. The median nerve carries messages between the brain, spinal cord, and hand, and signals for sensation and muscle movement. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include pain and numbness in the hand and fingers – potentially all fingers except the pinkie.

Tendonitis

Tendons are the strong fibers that connect muscles to bones. When a tendon is inflamed, this is tendonitis – which can result when the tendons are irritated in some way.

Tendonitis most frequently develops in the wrist and hand because of overuse, injury, structural abnormalities, or disease, such as arthritis or diabetes. It affects the normal smooth movement of the fingers or wrist, leading to symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness, and reduced function in the affected tendon.

Primary Care Provider in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you have hand or wrist pain, the compassionate and skilled medical team at Advanced Medical Clinic is here to provide the proper and necessary treatment to alleviate your pain. We offer comprehensive treatment options and a high standard of patient-centered primary and urgent care services for all of your family’s medical needs.

If you would like to make an appointment with one of our experienced healthcare providers, or to learn more about the services we offer, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or you can request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to serving you!

Common Treatments for Arthritis

Arthritis refers to inflammation or disease in one or more joints. The word comes from the Greek word “arthron,” meaning “joint,” and the suffix “-itis” which means “inflammation.” Symptoms of arthritis usually include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and mobility/movement issues.

Over time, arthritis can wear down and damage the protective cartilage in the joints so that the movement of the joints is no longer smooth. Pain can develop that becomes chronic or debilitating, which then requires treatment.

Let’s talk about some of the noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments for arthritis and where you can find medical expertise to help you control the condition.

How Is Arthritis Treated?

Treatments for arthritis will begin with noninvasive modalities such as over-the-counter medication and therapeutic exercise, and the treatments will become more invasive if your arthritis becomes worse. These methods include the following:

Rest and Medication

In many cases, especially in the early stage, arthritis symptoms are relieved by rest, ice therapy, heat therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. You may use assistive devices such as a splint or a cane to avoid stressing your joints and to provide extra support.

These conservative treatments usually provide much-needed relief from joint pain and stiffness. Your family medicine provider may give you a prescription that will provide more extensive relief from the pain and other symptoms.

Exercise and Physical Therapy

No treatment plan for arthritis is complete without physical therapy. This includes strengthening and stretching exercises which will have a direct effect on the joints that are affected by arthritis.

The strengthening exercises help reinforce the muscles around the arthritic joint to give it extra stability and support, so there is less stress and pressure on the joint. Low-impact exercise such as walking, dancing, yoga, and pilates can greatly benefit arthritis sufferers.

Dietary Modifications

Being overweight puts added stress on your joints, which can therefore cause you to develop arthritis because of the weight-bearing pressure wearing down the cartilage in your joints. By switching to a healthy diet, you will eventually shed pounds which eases pressure on your joints.

Additionally, certain foods have anti-inflammatory properties, such as fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fruits and vegetables such as oranges, papayas, berries, grapes, tangerines, carrots, bell peppers, and pumpkin. It is also a good idea to stay away from foods with processed sugar.

Viscosupplementation

If you do not experience a reduction in arthritis symptoms after including the abovementioned factors in your lifestyle, then you will likely respond well to viscosupplementation. During this minimally invasive procedure, the family medicine provider  injects hyaluronic acid into the arthritic joint in order to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. This treatment helps to protect the bones in the joint from rubbing against each other by essentially fostering a cartilage-like supportive effect.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in the Far East for thousands of years for pain relief. This treatment involves inserting thin, hair-like needles into pressure points in order to promote healing and reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture is rarely a standalone treatment and is usually part of a comprehensive treatment plan for best results.

Arthritis Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

Do not let arthritis limit your life. Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, our compassionate primary care providers offer you advanced and customized treatment options for your condition. We want to be your go-to family family medicine providers.

To schedule a consultation, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment now via our online form. We look forward to helping you enjoy a pain-free lifestyle of health and wellness.

Back Issues for Equestrians

Low back pain is common among horseback riders. These are mostly the aches and pains of strained muscles from excessive riding or improper posture while on the horse.

Controlling and riding a large animal like a horse requires the same strength and effort as is required for many other sports. In a nutshell, horseback riding requires body control similar to that used by athletes when skiing, or as can be seen in the martial arts, and even dancing.

To avoid back problems, you need to learn how to balance your body correctly while riding your horse.

Here is the list of the riding habits that can lead to back pain:

1. Slouched Shoulders. Slouched shoulders = lousy posture, which in turn hurts your spine with every step your horse takes. A horse’s gait is not that far off from humans, but when your shoulders are rounded it makes it difficult to control the horse and maintain your balance. This can easily lead to back pain and sore muscles that can last for days.

2. Leaning Forward During Turns. A good rider knows how to keep their posture centered even as they take turns and swerve their horses in different directions. Take tight turns and keep your weight focused, allowing it to fall inward as you make your turn. This will avoid a possible muscle strain in the process

3. Hollow Back. Another bad habit horseback riders have is sitting up too straight or too stiffly, then overcompensating by hollowing out the lower back. This affects the space you take on top of the horse, which can influence your balance and how well you can control the horse. The position puts undue strain on your lower back and can cause you to fall off your horse if not corrected.

4. Pinching Your Knees Together. For new riders, this is especially common. The amateur equestrian might resort to pinching the knees together in an effort to stay on the horse. However, this action affects how you are positioned atop the saddle and makes it more difficult to balance, apply leg aids, and to properly post the trot (when you rise out of the saddle, which can smooth the ride when your horse is trotting).

Preventing Low Back Pain

Experts suggest using proper posture while horseback riding to help eliminate low back pain associated with the activity. You should also wear the appropriate equipment and protective gear while you ride. This can help constrain and protect your back muscles, as well as protect against other injuries. In addition, riding in moderation can help lessen the likelihood of lower back pain related to your horseback riding.

Well-Equipped Family Medicine Provider in Wellington

If you have lower back pain from prolonged horseback riding, visit Advanced Medical Clinic to get it treated. Request an appointment now or call us at (561) 434-1935 for more details and to schedule a checkup with one of our licensed family medicine providers today.

Horseback Riding Injury Prevention

If there is one thing Wellington, Florida, is known for, it’s the area’s world-class equestrian community. Folks in these parts love horseback riding, and who can blame them? It’s great exercise for the entire body and invigorating for the spirit.
However, unless you follow the appropriate measures, you can sustain a serious injury while horseback riding. In fact, more than 48,000 Americans are treated for horseback riding injuries each year, according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). Often, these injuries result from riders attempting to break a fall – but instead, they suffer bruises, sprains, strains, and fractures to the wrist, shoulder, or elbow. More severe, sometimes life-threatening, horseback riding injuries include damage to the pelvis, spine, and head.

To help prevent horseback riding injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) offers these suggestions:

  • Always wear a helmet that meets industry safety standards when horseback riding.
  • Also be sure to wear well-fitted, sturdy leather boots with a minimal heel. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
  • Before you mount, inspect all riding equipment to be sure it isn’t damaged and that it has been secured properly. The saddle and stirrups should be appropriate for your size and properly adjusted.
  • Using safety stirrups that break away in the event of a fall might be a good idea for children and inexperienced riders.
  • Always supervise young horseback riders.
  • If you are an amateur rider, stick with open, flat terrain or a monitored riding arena.
  • Do not attempt jumps or stunts without supervision, as these require a much higher level of riding skill.
  • If you fall off your horse, roll toward the side when you hit the ground to avoid being trampled.
  • Never ride a horse when you’re tired, on medication, or under the influence of alcohol.
  • Keep in mind that horses are flight animals that will bolt and take off running from sudden noises or movements. So be alert for anything that might suddenly startle your horse, and be ready to respond quickly.
  • When trail riding, do not stray from that path. Also, be sure to heed any warning signs.
  • Never stand or walk behind a horse. It might provoke the horse to kick. Horses are less threatened when approached at their shoulder.
  • You can tell a lot about a horse’s disposition or condition by watching its head, especially its ear movements. A horse will react to a sound by directing one or both ears toward the sound. Likewise, if the horse is sleeping, sedated, or under the weather, the ears will be held to the side. And if the horse’s ears are pinned back, it may feel threatened and/or angry.
  • When providing the horse with a treat, keep your hand open and your fingers flat and extended. Otherwise, the horse might unintentionally bite and break your fingers.

Superior Family Health Care in Wellington, Florida

At Advanced Medical Clinic, PA, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, quality health care for your entire family. To learn more about us and the primary services we offer, or to arrange a visit to our friendly Wellington, Florida clinic, call us at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment using our online form. We are always happy to serve you.