Nowadays, you can develop pain in your hand, wrist, or elbow from seemingly any number of causes. For example, if you’re typing frequently on a computer keyboard, you may have an aching feeling in your palms and fingers at the end of a long week.
On the other hand, if you’re a high-intensity athlete, you may also experience what is colloquially known as “tennis elbow,” mild to moderate pain in your elbow and extending down into your hand.
However, when do you know the difference between a little temporary hurt and a serious problem? It’s important to recognize the signs of more serious joint or muscle pain, so you can seek help. The knowledgeable providers at Texas Orthopaedic Associates work with you to live a pain-free life.
First things first
If you have an aching hand, or a wrist or elbow are causing you discomfort, don’t ignore it, but don’t assume you need immediate medical care, either. Home remedies can substantially lessen or even eliminate your symptoms, sometimes within a couple of days.
Usually, icing the area for a significant amount of time, along with taking ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relievers, should minimize symptoms. In addition, one of the most important things to remember is that you shouldn’t strain that muscle and worsen the symptoms.
Relax it off
Even if it seems impossible, take a rest from your normal athletic activities for at least a day or two to allow your muscles and joints to heal. If your wrist pain developed from hours typing on a computer, then explore the use of wrist guards to lessen carpal tunnel syndrome. You can typically find wrist guards at neighborhood drugstores.
By using home remedies, a mild injury should resolve itself naturally within a couple of days, or a maximum of a week.
When it’s more serious
However, if it has been over a week and your symptoms haven’t lessened, or certainly if they have worsened, it’s time to schedule an initial consultation with us to make certain that your pain isn’t something more serious.
When you visit us, we perform a thorough physical exam and medical history, including at-times advanced medical imaging. Then, we conduct an analysis and discuss the multiple non-surgical methods and therapies we can deliver to reduce your pain. Based on your progress, surgery may be recommended at a later time.
It is time for you to live a pain-free life. If pain in your hand, wrist, elbow, or other joints isn’t healing on its own, call or book online to schedule a consult with one of the many providers at Texas Orthopaedic Associates today.
