Can I Go To A Physical Therapist For Hand or Wrist Pain After An Accident?

Believe it or not, wrist and hand injuries are common after car accidents, due to the complexity of the bones and tendons within them. But can you go to a physical therapist for these injuries?

Absolutely. There are several kinds of wrist and hand injuries that physical therapists can treat including:

Wrist tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Arthritis
Trigger finger
Sprains
Strains

Working with a physical therapist at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel can help with inflammation and range of motion. Keep reading to discover how!

Common Wrist and Hand Injuries After an Accident

In an accident, wrist sprains and strains, as well as fractures occur often. But inflammation of tendons that leads to tendonitis is also very common.

Let’s take a look at some common injuries:

#1. Wrist Tendonitis

Though this is caused most commonly by repetitive actions like working at a computer or playing a sport, people can also get tendonitis from an accident.

If your wrist is overextended and becomes irritated and inflamed, you may experience the following symptoms of tendonitis:

Pain where the arm meets the hand and radiates up the elbow
Pain on either side of the wrist near the thumb or little finger
Pain when the wrist is used
Swelling in the wrist
Tenderness in the forearm, hand, and wrist muscles
Decreased ability to use the wrist

#2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A little-known fact about carpal tunnel syndrome is that it isn’t just caused by excessive keyboard usage. It can also be caused by a traumatic injury sustained in a car accident.

If an injury or inflammation from an injury impinges the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist, you may feel the following symptoms:

Pain in the wrist
Weakness
Tingling
Numbness in the hand, wrist, and fingers

#3. Sprains & Strains

Sprains and strains are some of the most common injuries that we see in patients who have been in car accidents.

A wrist sprain happens when the tissues that connect the bones in the wrist are injured. You may have felt a popping or tearing at the time of injury and swelling, bruising, anf tenderness of the wrist are common symptoms.

A wrist strain occurs when there is an injury to the tissue or muscle that attaches the muscles to a bone.

How Does Physical Therapy Treat Wrist and Hand Injuries?

At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we recommend addressing hand and wrist injuries or pain as soon as possible for optimal recovery. Targeted exercises and stretches can help control inflammation, and gradually work toward restoring range of motion and strength to the hand and wrist.

First, we always begin each appointment with a consultation and evaluation of the joints and tendons. We will have you complete tests where we will assess your range of motion and strength, and make note of any symptoms, such as pain or weakness that you are experiencing.

Common modalities that we may use to treat wrist and hand injuries include:

Bracing: We may use a finger splint or wrist brace to restrict movement while the injury heals.

Ice or Heat Therapy: We use ice to alleviate pain, and may use heat to help ease joint pain if arthritis is detected.

Manual Therapy: By gently stretching or manipulating the joints and soft tissues, we can decrease pain and help restore movement.

Exercises: We will employ various exercises to enhance range of motion, and strengthen the hand and wrists.

At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we will design a complete protocol just for you to ensure we are addressing the unique symptoms that you are experiencing. This is not a one-size-fits-all treatment!

Reach out to Impact Medical Wesley Chapel

Wrist and hand injuries can cause chronic and long-lasting pain and weakness if left ignored. So, if you are experiencing any kind of wrist or hand pain after a car crash, don’t wait. Get treatment from a physical therapist as soon as possible.

Contact Impact Medical Wesley Chapel for a physical therapy consultation by calling (813) 953-1002 today!