Common Hand Conditions

Our hands are involved in almost every activity we undertake each day. From washing our face in the morning, to performing our job functions, to brushing our teeth in the evening; we often take our healthy hands for granted. It is when we cannot effectively use our hands that we realize how vital they are each minute of our lives.

The Centre for Working Hands treats a wide variety of traumatic hand injuries, but we also see many common hand conditions that can be just as problematic.

Tendon Injuries

• Tendons are the tough fibers that connect muscle to bone.
• Most of these injuries are the result of gradual wear and tear of the tendon from overuse and aging.
• Flexor and extensor tendon injuries are the most common types.

Arthritis

• Arthritis is Inflammation of the joints that lasts a long time or is recurring.
• The hand is the second most common joint that can develop arthritis.
• The area around the joints can become inflamed, causing stiffness, pain and difficulty in movement.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

• This group of injuries goes by many names, including Repetitive Stress Injuries and Cumulative Trauma Disorder.
• RMIs are among the most common injuries in the U.S. and are caused by repetitive and excessive use of the upper body.
• Some of these disorders include Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, DeQuervain’s Tendonitis, Tennis Elbow and Trigger Finger.