Most finger injuries in the hand arise from trauma and accidents, contact sports, high-speed sports or sports that require the use of equipment in the hand, such as rackets or batons. Our working habits or conditions may subject the fingers to constant pressure or repetitive forced movements. Muscle and bone mass is also lost with ageing, which can lead to osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis or fractures. In this article, we tell you about the most common injuries that can occur in the fingers and their most effective treatments.
What do we mean by finger injuries?
When we talk about finger injuries, we refer to any damage or disorder that affects the structure and functionality of the fingers of the hand. These injuries can cover a wide range of problems, from mild sprains and contusions to severe fractures and dislocations. The impact of these injuries is not minor, as the fingers are essential for performing everyday tasks, from writing and grasping objects to more complex activities that require precision and coordination.
What are the most common causes?
The causes of finger injuries are varied and may include:
- Direct traumaDirect blows or impacts, common in domestic or occupational accidents.
- Sports injuriesParticularly in sports that involve the use of the hands, such as basketball, football, climbing or any activity that requires a firm grip on an object, such as tennis or golf.
- Repetitive movementsTendons and ligaments: Tasks that involve constant or repetitive movements can cause wear and tear on tendons and ligaments, resulting in conditions such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Degenerative conditionsArthritis and other age-related conditions can deteriorate the joints of the fingers, limiting their mobility and causing pain and stiffness.
Regardless of the cause, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial to regain maximum function and avoid long-term complications. Typical symptoms of these injuries include pain, swelling, difficulty moving the affected finger, and in severe cases, visible deformity or inability to use the hand. Recognising these signs and seeking early medical attention are essential steps to effective recovery.
What types of finger injuries can we suffer?
These are 8 of their most frequent injuries:
- Ligament sprains. Ligament strains or tears which, depending on their degree, cause pain, inflammation, swelling, haematoma, functional disability and instability.
- Hammertoe. Caused by rupture of the flexor tendon of the finger near the tip, causing it to bend and not be able to straighten.
- Skier's thumb. Tearing of the collateral ligament of the thumb when it is bent forcibly backwards or away from the fingers, which occurs when the skier falls with the ski poles fixed in the snow and the fingers caught in the poles.
- Tendinitis. Usually caused by repeated movements or force or pressure that end up inflaming a tendon.
- Bone fractures. The causes are usually sports, accidents at work or at home, falls and blows.
- Dislocations. They occur when the bones of the fingers are displaced out of their normal position. Most occur at the base of the toes or at the middle joint.
- Osteoarthritis. Generally related to age and wear and tear of cartilage. It can also cause deformity and, as a consequence, loss of mobility.
- 8. Dupuytren's contracture. It is usually hereditary. It causes a painless thickening of the tissue forming a thick cord under the skin, which causes contracture and flexion of the fingers which retract into the palm of the hand making it impossible to stretch them.
How can such injuries be treated?
At physiotherapy, Once the injured or affected structures have been assessed and a diagnosis has been established, we can use different intervention techniques depending on the severity of the injury and the stage of the injury.
If the injury is in an acute phase, our first objectives will be to reduce inflammation, pain and oedema and to relax the muscles. Ice, rest and compression will be the first recommendations in the first 48 hours. We can use specific devices with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects to help regenerate the tissue, such as ultrasound, electrotherapy or diathermy (INDIBA).
Manually, lymphatic drainage techniques, circulatory massage, dry needling, deep transverse massage and joint mobilisation can be used analytically and globally. Later on, we will work on strength with active and resisted movements, and functionality, proprioception and dexterity of the fingers.
It is important to bear in mind that an injury to any finger will affect the whole chain of the forearm, arm, shoulder and even neck. The Pilates, which focuses on alignment and balances the forces and functions of the muscle chains, is an excellent training method for the rehabilitation of those other areas of the body also affected by the injury.
Call us and ask us about your case:
Tel. 91 4357838. 628 887552. contacto@elitepilates.net
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