Why Do My Hands Hurt After Being in an Accident?

Being in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience, and the pain and discomfort that follow can make it even worse. One of the most common symptoms after a car accident is pain in the hands. This pain can be sharp or dull, intermittent, or constant, and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, numbness, or tingling. Read on to discover some possible reasons why your hands hurt after being in an accident.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common injury that occurs when the head and neck are rapidly jolted back and forth, causing the muscles, ligaments, and nerves in the neck to stretch and tear. What many people may not realize is that the pain and discomfort from whiplash can even travel to the hands. In addition, whiplash can cause the discs between the vertebrae in the neck to bulge or rupture, which can put pressure on the nerves and cause pain in the hands.

Hand Injuries

If your hands hit the steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of the car during the accident, you may have sustained a direct hand injury. You can sustain a hand injury even if your hands didn’t directly hit anything. From cuts to bruises, sprains, strains, and fractures, the impact of the accident could still cause a sudden jolt that can lead to injuries in the hands.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Most people don’t know that trauma from a car accident exacerbates carpal tunnel syndrome. If you’re experiencing numbness and tingling along with pain in your hands, you could be living with carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when the median nerve in your wrist becomes compressed or squeezed, causing potential severe pain. The pain, numbness, and tingling that come with carpal tunnel can make even simple tasks like typing or picking things up nearly impossible. And if you’ve been in a car accident, your symptoms may be even worse.

Arthritis

If you already have arthritis in your hands, a car accident could aggravate the condition and cause more pain and discomfort. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain in the hands and other joints. The sudden jolt of an accident can make the pain and discomfort even worse.

Psychological Factors

It’s worth noting that the pain in your hands could be caused by psychological factors such as anxiety and stress. Being in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, and the emotional and mental toll of the accident can manifest physically as pain and discomfort in the hands.

Get Relief From Car Accident-Related Pain at Impact Medical Group

If you’re feeling pain in your hands after an accident, it’s important to seek medical attention to identify the root cause of the pain. At Impact Medical Group of Lutz, we specialize in treating car accident injuries and can provide you with the care and support you need to make a full recovery. Contact us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule a consultation and start your healing journey.