Do I Need To See A Hand Specialist?

Many people experience fully functioning hands throughout their lives, so it's easy to forget how important it is to care for them. Your hands are a significant part of what allows you to interact with your surroundings each day. So when discomfort in your hands starts to become a concern, you may go from being confident in your daily life to worried about the future.

Your hands can face several conditions and disorders, so it's essential to know when's the right time to see a hand specialist and what treatments can help. Thomas Magill, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network La Porte Health Center, explains what you should know about hand conditions and treatments and how to maintain your hand health.

What Are Common Hand Conditions?

While there are several hand conditions a person can experience, some of the most common include:

• Bone fractures
• Wrist fractures
• Arthritis in hands
• Cysts
• Nerve compression
• Tendonitis

"We see a lot of problems with nerve injuries to the hand like carpal tunnel syndrome or numbness around the hand itself," Dr. Magill said.

Dr. Magill explained that he sees many fractures around the hand, including wrist fractures, which are among the most common fractures.

"I'll see a lot of soft tissue injuries, of course, to the hands and fingers," Dr. Magill said. "Most of those injuries will heal on their own, but sometimes we get some pretty nasty stuff when people are sticking their hands in a lawnmower or snowblower."

Dr. Magill explained that he also may see arthritis in hands, particularly at the base of the thumb.

While several hand-related conditions can form due to significant injuries, some may identify symptoms of their hand condition through sensations of pain and discomfort. Still, it can be more complex to spot related symptoms.

"Sometimes it's not obvious because at times people think that it might be normal when they get less sensation because they're getting older, which is not normal," Dr. Magill said. "Some may also think it's normal if they've had conditions like diabetes that might make their feet number. Even so, that condition doesn't generally make their hands number. Most of the time, people will know when to come and see me. It's something that'll knock hard enough on their door to get them to come in."

When Should I Seek A Hand Specialist?

You've most likely experienced familiar sensations throughout your hand, such as pain when hitting your hand on a table or a tingling feeling when you lay on your arm for too long. Still, it's crucial to recognize when your discomfort has lingered on longer than expected and when to seek help.

"It's always good to talk to your primary doctor if you have a question," Dr. Magill said. "They'll be able to figure out whether you need to come in for a referral to a hand specialist or not. You can also come right into the specialist's office."

Dr. Magill explained that if you've had a had condition that's not getting better after a month, worsening or distracting you from sleep, you don't have to wait longer if it's bad enough to distract you from your everyday activities.

"If you've had an injury or you're worried about a wound healing, then it's always better to come in sooner rather than later," Dr. Magill said.

Will I Need Surgery To Help My Hand Condition?

Even though surgery can solve some hand conditions, patients and providers can agree that it shouldn't be the first treatment choice when other options are available.

"As for non-surgical treatments, it depends upon the condition," Dr. Magill said. "It's important to note that I'm a surgeon, but most of my patients, I treat them without surgery. We obviously use surgery as more of a last resort."

While Dr. Magill performs hand surgery, a degenerative condition, like a degenerative arthritic type of hand pain, can be treated without surgery.

"I've told patients to go pick up a paraffin wax machine and use the hot wax and hot soak the hand," Dr. Magill said. "It can be very helpful for symptom relief. Sometimes with carpal tunnel syndrome, we'll try anti-inflammatories as well as maybe using a splint at night. At times, these can eliminate the problem or make it bearable and prevent it from worsening."

Dr. Magill explains that surgery is an answer for several conditions. Even so, hand surgery, like many forms of care, can have a compromise.

"In the slightest circumstance, it's a compromise of a scar for treatment," Dr. Magill said, "There are benefits and risks related to surgery and we always have to take that into account when we're treating a patient."

What Can I Do To Maintain Proper Hand Health?

You might think that constantly cracking your knuckles could be a cause for concern with your hand health, but it's not as significant as other habits.

"I think that you're going to be okay if you want to crack your knuckles," Dr. Magill said. "I don't think that there's a lot of evidence that that's harmful in the long run. Still, there are a couple of basic things that you might consider at first."

Stop Smoking

Dr. Magill explained that it's essential to reduce your smoking.

"Smoking affects small blood vessels," Dr. Magill said. "It affects your feet more dramatically than your hand at times, but hand injuries or any injuries are often delayed in their healing, or more likely to have an infection for people that smoke. We can see hand changes from the diminished pulmonary function in a long-term smoker."

Exercise

Consistent and proper exercise will always be good for your body, including your hand health.

"General exercise is good," Dr. Magill said. "Not just for your heart and your body, but it's also good for your hands. Exercise keeps your joints limber, active and strong. This helps prevent some of those overuse injuries."

Dr. Magill explained that if you rarely do exercises that involve your arms, you're more likely to get a sprain that can affect areas such as your wrist, arm or elbow.

Avoid Exposure To Injury

If you or a loved one works in a field that requires dangerous tools, remember proper hand placement to prevent injuries.

"I can't tell you how many times I've seen a professional person that works with sharp tools that has a serious cut," Dr. Magill said. "I think it's because people that have been around that equipment for a while, you get a little bit cavalier about it. Even so, next thing you know, it comes back to bite you. It's important to get used to using your safety equipment and make it a habit in what you're doing."

Practice Tools

When appropriately used, grip-strength tools and other items can be a factor in positive hand health.

"Certainly, these items wouldn't hurt," Dr. Magill said. "I don't know if I would tell somebody to spend a great deal of their life using these tools unless they had some career related to gripping strength or tennis. Tools like this are good for tennis or golf to increase your grip strength. You're less likely to have irritation around the elbow or tennis elbow."

Dr. Magill explained that they use items to assist treatments for arthritis in hands.

"We'll use a thera ball or a squeeze ball after an injury or arthritis in hands," Dr. Magill said. "They can keep your joints warmer. Joints don't like to stay idle, so it's an important tool to keep them limber."

"I like to compare an arthritic joint to a tire that's going bad," Dr. Magill said. "If you can improve the motion from your joint, it's like you're rotating a bad tire. So, you can use another part of the joint that might have a little bit better cartilage coverage on it. Motion and strengthening are good to the extent that it's convenient for you."