Pain in the muscles, joints, nerves of the hands can be a symptom of serious ailments. It provokes arthrosis, arthritis, osteochondrosis, soft tissue inflammation. What to do if a hand hurts? In this case, it is preferable to consult a doctor to determine the cause and purpose of treatment. The treatment methods will be described in the article.
Causes
Depending on the cause, the pain may be in the area of the hand, elbow, forearm, or shoulder. Sensations are:
- burning;
- shooting;
- aching;
- pulling;
- tingling.
There may be numbness. The pain appears both in one hand and in two at once. Uncomfortable sensations arise due to external stimuli and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The pain appears due to sprains, pinching of nerve endings, dislocation, osteochondrosis, cardiac pathologies. Sensations can occur with arthritis, hard work and physical exertion. Pain in the hands, which at first glance appears for no reason, can be associated with nervous tension - stress, excitement.
When the discomfort from the nerves constantly, it means that the reason lies in impaired functioning of the nervous system. The syndrome occurs after work, before the change of weather or with severe fatigue. If the discomfort passes after rest, do not worry. But if hands are often sore and numb, what to do is determined based on the reason.
Who to contact?
If a hand hurts, what should I do first? First, consult a therapist. Depending on the complaints, the specialist provides directions to:
- to the surgeon;
- traumatologist;
- cardiologist;
- to a neurologist.
If the shoulder of the right hand hurts, what to do, the doctor determines based on the diagnosis. Examination by a specific specialist allows you to accurately diagnose and prescribe effective treatment. Then the unpleasant symptoms disappear quickly.
Diagnostics
Based on complaints and symptoms, the following types of studies are prescribed:
- Tomography - computed or magnetic resonance. It is used when monitoring of internal organs and the musculoskeletal system is necessary.
- Electroencephalogram. With it, brain activity and the state of the nervous system are determined.
- Laboratory research. A blood test allows you to establish inflammation and identify pathological changes that led to pain in the hands.
- Cardiogram. It is used if there is a suspicion of heart or vascular disease.
- Fluoroscopy. The study is performed for fractures and severe injuries of the bones and ligamentous apparatus.
Using an integrated approach, it will be possible to quickly establish the source of the problem, choose the appropriate medications. It is important to adhere to all the recommendations provided by your doctor.
Treatment
What to do if a hand hurts? Regardless of the factor that caused the discomfort in the hands, therapy should:
- eliminate the main ailment;
- stop the pain;
- restore the former mobility of the hand and its functioning.
Comprehensive treatment of pain is based on medications. Alternative medicine is also used. This therapy is effective if you follow the instructions of a doctor.
Medication
If the wrist hurts, what should I do? To improve the patient's condition and eliminate the root cause of discomfort, the following medications are prescribed (depending on the ailment):
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketonal, Meloxam. With them, inflammation is eliminated, pain is stopped, the heat and swelling are relieved.
- Hormonal glucocorticosteroids are effective for arthritis and arthrosis. These are Dexamethasone, Cortisone, Prednisolone, Flunisolid. Medicines eliminate inflammation, protect against swelling and fever in injured areas.
- Analgesics - Analgin, Spazmalin, Spazmalgon, Paracetamol. Drugs eliminate pain, heat, have a slight anti-inflammatory effect.
- Beta-blockers, statins, antithrombotic drugs - “Bisoprolol”, “Atorvastatin”, “Lospirin”. Medicines lower blood pressure, restore blood circulation, stabilize cholesterol, thin the blood, protecting against the appearance of blood clots in blood vessels.
To improve the therapeutic effect of agents for internal use, it is desirable to use external agents - ointments, gels, solutions. Often prescribed "Diclofenac-gel", "Voltaren", "Ketanov", "Chondroxide." Properly selected medications quickly and safely relieve the cause of pain and restore the functioning of the limb. It is only necessary not to engage in self-medication and follow the doctor's recommendations.
Surgery
If the joints on the hands hurt, what should I do? If drug therapy does not bring results for half a year, then the carpal tunnel canal decompression operation is performed. The procedure is not complicated, therefore it is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Although it all depends on the specific situation, as there are over 30 forms of tunnel pathologies.
This operation involves, for example, dissection of the ligament of the carpal canal, compressing the carpal canal. This procedure reduces pressure on the median nerve. In other cases, physical removal of small bones that have fallen into the canal is necessary.
The operation is performed using traditional or endoscopic surgery through an incision. The latter type of surgery will help to achieve rapid rehabilitation, in addition, endoscopy is considered less traumatic.
Folk methods
When the right arm hurts, what should I do? With discomfort, folk remedies help:
- Baths based on essential oils. Pour warm water (2 liters, about 38 degrees), marigold oil, eucalyptus and caraway seeds (a few drops) into the basin. Hands hold in the resulting bath for 10-15 minutes. Procedures are repeated 3-4 times a week.
- Infusion with anti-inflammatory effect. St. John's wort and thyme seeds (2 tsp each) are added to boiling water (1 liter). Infusion is performed for 40 minutes. It should be consumed 2 times a day, replacing regular tea. The tool reduces inflammation in the soft tissues and eliminates pain.
- Therapeutic mixture. In a meat grinder, you need to grind dried apricots, raisins, lemon, walnuts (30 g each). The resulting slurry is mixed with honey. The mixture should be consumed 3-4 times a day for 1 tsp.
- Anesthetic ointment. Bay leaf (30 g) and juniper (3-5 fruits) are chopped, after which butter (50 g) is added. Everything is whipped until smooth. The resulting ointment is rubbed into the affected areas 2-3 times a day.
- Horseradish-based lotions. It is necessary to grind the root of the plant to obtain a liquid slurry. The resulting product is applied in a thin layer to the diseased areas and wrapped with dry material. Lotions are performed 2-3 times a day for 20-30 minutes.
These are fixed assets if the arm is swollen and sore. What to do, it is better to consult a doctor. Typically, folk remedies are used as part of complex therapy, otherwise the result will not be long.
Tips
What to do if a hand hurts depends on the cause of the ailment. To alleviate the condition with aching or sharp sensations, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations:
- If the pain came from monotonous labor or heavy loads, the hands need peace. Often after rest, the discomfort disappears.
- In case of severe injury or injury, do not straighten your arm yourself or put a dislocated joint in place. In this case, you need the help of a doctor.
- Do not abuse analgesics if the cause is not identified.
- You can not start uncomfortable sensations and self-medicate, otherwise serious consequences are likely.
- It is necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions, do not replace the main therapy with treatment with folk remedies.
Prevention
To prevent damage to the wrist joint, you need to regularly perform exercises to strengthen the muscles. The occurrence of even slight discomfort during their conduct in the wrist may be associated with a change in physical activity. Performing a grip, you should use not only the fingers, but also the brush.
Every day you need to play sports for 45-60 minutes. With the help of physical exercises, blood circulation in the tissues is enhanced, ventilation of the lungs is improved, normalizing the growth of muscles and bones. People who by profession encounter the use of vibrating devices need to protect their hands with special gloves and pads to absorb vibration. You need to protect your hand when practicing active sports.
When typing on a computer, you need to take a break for several minutes every hour. During this period, you should shake with your hands, flexing your fingers.
It is important that the shoes are stable and comfortable, as they will prevent the fall and damage to the hand.
It is still necessary to follow a diet. The diet should include foods enriched with vitamin D and calcium. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered important. It is necessary to monitor your weight, to prevent swelling during child bearing. Using the right drinking regimen will eliminate this problem.
During therapy, you can not load your hands with heavy things and exercise. Rest and proper treatment are needed, only in this way a quick recovery is ensured. The pain can be of a different nature and indicate serious ailments. Only a doctor can prescribe a treatment aimed at eliminating the cause of discomfort.