When To Seek Medical Help for Hand and Elbow Pain

Your hands and elbows are important. They help you perform fine motor tasks at work or home. When your hands or elbows are painful, it can dramatically affect your quality of life. Your hand specialist can help. Dr. Pedro Loredo at Loredo Hand Care Institute in Grapevine, TX, is a hand and arm specialist who offers a wide range of orthopedic services, including diagnosis and treatment of hand and elbow pain. He proudly serves residents of Grapevine, and the Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, areas.

What You Need To Know About Hand and Elbow Pain

There are many causes of hand and elbow problems, including:

• An accident involving your hands or elbows
• Overuse of your hands or elbows
• A sports injury involving your hands or elbows

There are also medical conditions which can lead to hand or elbow problems, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, involving nerve inflammation and compression
• Osteoarthritis, involving degeneration of the joints in the hands or elbows
• Rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune condition that can involve joints in the hands or elbows

For occasional hand or elbow pain, you may be able to achieve relief if you:

• Rest the painful area to allow for healing
• Apply ice to the area for 15 minutes, several times daily
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medication

You should seek medical help for hand or elbow pain if you experience:

• Pain that is not resolving or responding to home therapies
• Pain that is becoming more frequent or severe
• Numbness and tingling in your hand and fingers
• Loss of strength in your hand and fingers
• Difficulty grasping or holding objects

Your hand specialist will complete a comprehensive examination of your hands or elbows, which may include imaging and laboratory testing. Depending on the cause of your hand or elbow pain, your doctor may recommend:

• Custom-fit splints or a sling to immobilize the area so it can heal
• Prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and pain
• Corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling and pressure
• Surgical therapy if necessary

Want To Know More About Hand and Elbow Pain?

To learn more about when to seek medical help for hand and elbow pain, talk with an expert. Call Dr. Pedro Loredo at Loredo Hand Care Institute, serving residents of Grapevine, and Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, areas. You can reach him in the Grapevine, TX, office by calling (972) 939-4974, so call today.