How to pain in hand?
Pain normally eases with rest and can get worse with activity. Applying ice wrapped in a damp towel and taking an NSAID can help. If your condition is not improving and is affecting your quality of life, steroid injections, splints, hand therapy or surgery might also be helpful.
Try to avoid tasks that are causing the pain or making it worse. This may be anything that has a repetitive nature, such as using a screwdriver, painting or lifting heavy objects. You might be able to change the way you do some tasks to take the strain off your hands and wrists. Some conditions affecting the hand and wrist won’t get better until you stop doing certain tasks.
These include painkillers such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen. There are NSAID gels you can rub into your hand and wrist. Or, there are tablets you can swallow. Be careful not to take too much by combining gels and tablets, as both get into your blood stream. With any medication you should always read the information that comes with it, particularly about dosages. If you have any questions or concerns talk to a GP or pharmacist.
Putting an ice pack on your hands and wrists can reduce swelling and ease pain. You could use a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel. Never put ice directly on your skin, as this can burn or irritate it. You can apply ice for up to 20 minutes several times a day.
If your hands are painful and stiff, applying heat could help. There are products such as wheat bags you can buy from chemists that you heat in a microwave. You might need to place a cloth or tea towel on your skin to avoid burning it. Putting your hand and wrist on a hot water bottle with the cover on, or having a warm bath or shower may also provide some relief. Moving your hand around in a bowl of warm water can be helpful and soothing. Don’t apply heat to your hand or wrist if it’s swollen or if you’ve just injured it, as this can make it worse.
Wax baths are another form of heat therapy that can relieve pain and stiffness. To get the most benefit it’s a good idea to use one before you exercise your hands. Ask your GP, a pharmacist or a hand therapist where you can buy one, and for advice on how to use them. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you don’t overheat the wax. You shouldn’t use these if you have cuts or open sores.
Switching between heat and ice therapy throughout the day may help. Ice reduces blood flow, which can help with pain and swelling. Heat increases blood flow, which can help if your hands are stiff and the muscles are tired. Heat can also help damaged soft tissue to heal.
Wearing splints can provide support to the hand and wrist. Some can be used when you’re carrying out everyday activities and some are for when you’re sleeping and resting. A hand therapist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist can give you advice on whether a splint could help, which type would be good for you and how to use it properly.
Moving your hands, wrists and fingers as much as possible can help ease pain and stiffness. This will also maintain range of movement, function and strength.
There are numerous causes of pain in the palm.
Injuries to the palm can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and other symptoms.
Causes of palm injuries can include:
A person’s palm contains various soft tissues, such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Symptoms of soft tissue damage include:
Sometimes, a person can initially treat soft tissue injuries using the Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) protocol. The RICE protocol involves:
Rest: Rest the injured area and avoid the activity that caused the injury.Ice: Apply ice to the area for 20 minutes, several times a day. A person can try using cold packs or frozen bags of vegetables. A person should never apply ice directly to the skin.Compression: Wear a compression bandage to prevent swelling and additional blood loss.Elevation: While resting, raise the injury above the heart to help reduce swelling.
If the RICE protocol does not help reduce pain and swelling, a person should speak with their doctor.Learn more about the RICE protocol here.
A person’s palm contains five long bones called metacarpals. These bones connect the finger and thumb bones to the wrist bones. Trauma to the palm can result in breaks to one or more of the metacarpals.
The most commonly broken bone in the hand is the metacarpal that supports the little finger.
Generally, hand fractures heal well without surgery. Doctors can treat broken bones using splints or casts. More serious fractures may require surgical treatment. For example, some metacarpal fractures require surgery if the fractures affect the fingers’ alignment and range of motion.
Symptoms of a fractured hand include:
If a person injures their palm, they may experience pain when:
Learn more about fractures here.
Overuse, also known as repetitive strain injury (RSI), occurs when repetitive movements cause the hand to become painful or tense. Pain and tension from muscles in the arms and shoulders can also radiate down to the hands.
Carrying out repetitive or high-intensity activities for long periods or holding the hands in awkward positions for too long can cause RSI.
RSI can occur in several different places in the hand, including the palms, though it is more common in the fingers or wrists.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), RSI can cause:
Treatment for RSI in the palm includes:
A doctor may also recommend physical therapy to treat RSI.
Repetitive motions can cause palm pain for a person with an RSI when they:
Playing golf can cause a person to develop Hypothenar hammer syndrome. This condition occurs when repeated blows from a golf club handle cause blood vessel damage in the palm.
A person should seek evaluation by a doctor before taking any pain medication.Learn more about acetaminophen and ibuprofen here.
Other causes of pain in the palm may include:
Lung Cancer
Brain Tumour
Liver Cancer
Heart Attack
Urinary Problems
Heart Transplant
Kidney Transplant
