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When to Call for Hand and Wrist Pain

Care Advice

Mild Hand or Wrist Pain

1. What You Should Know:
   • Hand and wrist pain can be caused by many things. Muscle strain and overuse can cause pain. Pain can also be caused by arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and bursitis.
   • The best way to treat hand and wrist pain will depend on the exact cause.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. Cold or Heat:
   • Cold Pack: For pain or swelling, use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a wet cloth. Put it on the sore area for 20 minutes. Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
   • Heat Pack: If pain lasts over 2 days, apply heat to the sore area. Use a heat pack, heating pad, or warm wet washcloth. Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed. For widespread stiffness, take a hot bath or hot shower instead. Move the sore area under the warm water. Caution: avoid burns. Make sure it is warm, not hot. Never sleep on, or with, a heating pad.
3. What to Expect:
   • Minor muscle strain, joint sprain, and overuse should start to get better in a couple days. The pain should go away within one week.
   • Pain from tendinitis can last days to weeks. It gets better quicker if you avoid doing the sport or activity that caused it.
   • Pain and stiffness from arthritis can be chronic. That is, it can last weeks, months or years. Sometimes the pain can flare up and then get better after a couple days.
   • What to expect in other cases will depend on the cause of pain.
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Severe pain
   • Pain keeps you from doing normal activities (such as school, work)
   • Pain lasts more than 7 days
   • Signs of infection occur (such as spreading redness, red streak, warmth)
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Muscle Strain or Overuse

1. What You Should Know - Muscle Strain:
   • A muscle strain occurs from over-stretching or tearing a muscle. People often call this a "pulled muscle". This muscle injury can occur while playing a sport or lifting something. Sometimes it can also occur while doing normal activities.
   • People often describe a sharp pain or popping when the muscle strain occurs. The muscle pain worsens when moving the hand and wrist.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
2. What You Should Know - Overuse:
   • Hand and wrist pains are common following vigorous activity. Such activities can include washing the car or scrubbing the floor. Other types of repeated forceful motions can also cause this (such as sports and work). This problem happens when your body is not used to this amount of activity.
   • The main symptoms are soreness and tenderness of the hand or wrist. Pain increases with certain movements.
   • Here is some care advice that should help.
3. Apply a Cold Pack:
   • Apply a cold pack or an ice bag (wrapped in a moist towel) to the area for 20 minutes. Repeat this in 1 hour and then every 4 hours while awake.
   • Do this for the first 48 hours after an injury.
   • This will help decrease pain and swelling.
4. Apply Heat to the Area:
   • Beginning 48 hours after an injury, apply a warm washcloth or heating pad for 10 minutes three times a day.
   • This will help increase blood flow and improve healing.
   • Caution: avoid burns. Make sure it is warm, not hot. Never sleep on, or with, a heating pad.
5. Rest vs. Movement:
   • Rest the injured hand and wrist as much as possible for the first day or two.
   • Continue normal activities as much as your pain permits.
   • Avoid heavy lifting and active sports for 1 to 2 weeks or until the pain and swelling are gone.
6. What to Expect:
   • Minor muscle strain and overuse should start to get better in a couple days.
   • The pain should go away within one week.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Severe pain
   • Pain keeps you from doing normal activities (such as school, work)
   • Pain lasts more than 7 days
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Bruised Funny Bone

1. What You Should Know - Bruised Funny Bone:
   • You can treat a "bruised funny bone" at home.
   • A blow to the back of the elbow can cause numbness, tingling and burning pain in the elbow. Pain shoots down into the hand, usually into the middle, ring, and little fingers.
   • Your "funny bone" is actually a nerve (ulnar) which wraps around the back of your elbow.
2. What to Expect:
   • Symptoms from "bruising your funny bone" usually last just a few minutes.
   • If the symptoms last longer than 30 minutes, you should call your doctor.
   • If this happens often, you should call your doctor.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You have more questions
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

Over-the-Counter Pain Medicines

1. Pain Medicine:
   • You can take one of the following drugs if you have pain: acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).
   • They are over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs. You can buy them at the drugstore.
   • Use the lowest amount of a drug that makes your pain feel better.
   • Acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen or naproxen in people over 65 years old.
   • Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert for all medicines you take.
2. Call Your Doctor If:
   • You have more questions
   • You think you need to be seen
   • You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.