Have a pain in your hand? Stop those repetitive movements

Using a keyboard for a prolonged period of time can result in hand or arm pain. — TNS

We are already in the second half of the year (2020) and it has certainly been a challenging few months.

We have had to adapt to new norms, and our life and work have changed distinctively.

Since the start of the movement control order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 outbreak, most of us have adjusted to the norm of working from home.

However, many have also shared their challenges associated with this shift in work routine, with issues ranging from mental health to weight issues, and balancing personal and work time.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that working from home can have a significant impact on our hands and upper limbs.

Have you been experiencing pain or numbness in your hand or upper limb lately?

Often, these symptoms are a result of prolonged usage of the laptop or computer keyboard over an extended period of time.

These symptoms are likely to be caused by one or more of the following five common hand and upper limb disorders.

Do note that you may well be experiencing one or a few of these conditions at the same time.

Trigger finger

Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and a locking sensation when you bend or straighten your finger.

It most commonly affects the ring finger, middle finger and the thumb, although it can also occur in the other fingers.

Trigger finger is usually caused by repetitive movement or forceful use of the fingers, as well as inflammation of the tissue in the hand.

It may also be due to connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, which is a long-term autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints.

At the early stage, trigger finger can be easily treated with physiotherapy, steroid injections or surgery.

However, as time goes by without treatment, the affected finger or thumb stiffen in one position, causing difficulty in accomplishing daily tasks.

In such an instance, the patient may not respond to non-surgical treatments and will most likely require surgery for full recovery.

Therefore, those suffering from trigger finger are advised to seek early medical attention.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of the median nerve being compressed, resulting in pain, numbness, burning or tingling in the affected hand.

There will also be times when you will find difficulty holding things with your wrist bent, e.g. holding a cup or turning the steering wheel while driving.

The numbness and tingling may even wake you up at night due to the discomfort.

This condition occurs when the median nerve is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.

At the early stage, carpal tunnel syndrome can be successfully treated with activity modification, a splint or surgery.

At the later stage, the patient will most likely require surgery.

If left untreated, this condition can cause permanent nerve damage, leading to persistent weakness and numbness of the affected hand.

In some cases, full recovery may not be possible even with surgery, leading to permanent disability.

Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor early to prevent permanent disability.

Tennis elbow occurs when too many repeated movements cause the tendons in your elbow to become inflamed.

Ganglion cyst

A ganglion cyst is the most common type of lump found on the hand.

It is a non-cancerous lump that develops along the tendons or joints of your wrists or hands. It may also occur in the ankles or feet.

Ganglion cysts occur most commonly on the back of the wrist, but they can also develop on the palm side of the wrist.

More often than not, you will notice a soft bump (mass), which changes in size.

The mass may get smaller in size, or even disappear, only to come back later.

You may experience limited motion, weakness and numbness.

Most ganglion cysts cause pain, but one out of three patients may not experience any pain at all.

While 30-50% of ganglion cysts disappear by themselves without any treatment, it is advisable to consult your doctor to seek treatment, as well as to rule out other more dangerous conditions.

If the lump is causing any problems, e.g. interfering with daily function, it is advisable to opt for surgery to remove it.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is one of the most common causes of wrist pain.

You may experience pain near the base of your thumb, which is worsened by movement of the affected thumb and wrist.

The pain may travel into the thumb or up the forearm.

This condition is usually caused by chronic overuse of the wrist.

Common movements that cause it include lifting a child into a car seat and lifting heavy grocery bags by the handles.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can be successfully treated with activity modification, a wrist splint and steroid injections.

If those treatments do not work, surgery may be required.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (known medically as lateral epicondylitis) is a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded, resulting in inflammation.

This is usually caused by repetitive motions of the wrist, hand and fingers that involve the muscles attached to the outer part of the elbow.

It is the most common form of elbow pain, resulting in the weakening of the affected forearm and wrist.

The pain is typically located over the outer part of elbow and is aggravated when lifting or grasping things.

There is localised tenderness on the outer side of the elbow.

Tennis elbow can be treated by avoiding repetitive elbow movements or activities, which can aggravate the pain.

Doing stretching exercises for the affected wrist and elbow may be helpful.

Treatment includes physiotherapy, bracing, steroid injections, and lastly, surgery.

Do seek medical help should the pain persist.

Early detection helps to address the condition and aids in the recovery process.

Dr Ng Tiong Soon is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.