Common Hand & Wrist Injuries

With so many intricate and delicate bones, ligaments, tendons, and joints in your hands and wrists, there is an increased risk of sustaining an injury compared to other parts of your body. Here’s what you should know about the most commonly sustained injuries that affect the hands and wrists.

Wrist Sprains

A wrist sprain happens when the supportive ligaments in the wrist are either overstretched or torn. These types of sprains are typically a result of falling on an outstretched hand to prevent or brace yourself for a fall—which is common during sports and outdoor activities.

Hand and Wrist Fractures

Because your hands and wrists have thin, delicate bones, experiencing hand and wrist fractures are fairly common. Whether you’re attempting to brace yourself from a fall or your hand has experienced direct trauma, your bones have the potential to break when too much outside force is placed on them.

Breaks in the hands and wrists most commonly affect the following:

• Phalanges
• Metacarpal bones
• Carpal bones
• Radius
• Ulna

Finger Dislocations

A finger dislocation happens when the end of your finger bone is no longer aligned normally with the other bone it was attached to. These injuries typically happen when your finger is bent backward or sideways beyond the normal range of motion.

The following joints in your fingers can be dislocated from a finger injury:

• Distal interphalangeal joints: This is the joint closest to the tip of your finger.
• Proximal interphalangeal joints: These are the joins on either end of the middle segment of your finger. This joint is most commonly dislocated by athletes “jamming” their fingers.
• Metacarpophalangeal joints: These joints are where your fingers join your hands.

Orthopedic Care in Fox Valley

At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we can help you get back to a pain-free, comfortable life. If you have been dealing with aches and pains that have lasted for more than a week, don’t put off getting help another day. Call (630) 584-1400 today to schedule your appointment.