Supinator Muscle Strain

Athletic injuries, activities that put great stress on the elbow joint, and overuse are all common causes of strain to the supinator muscle - the forearm muscle that allows you to turn your right hand clockwise.

These stresses cause irritation of the muscle fibers, and may result in microscopic tears, with repeated trauma to the muscle resulting in chronic overuse syndromes. See your Health Care Professional for a diagnosis and treatment options, which often include refraining from the activity that caused the strain and providing elbow support.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The wrist is a complex joint surrounded by a supportive fibrous band of tissue. The carpal tunnel is the bony canal in the palm side of the wrist that provides passage for the median nerve to the hand. When the median nerve becomes irritated due to pressure from swelling or the misalignment of tissue surrounding it, a type of nerve damage occurs which causes a constellation of symptoms - wrist pain and numbness or tingling sensations in the hand, thumb, index and middle fingers of the hand - that commonly result in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome .

Carpal tunnel syndrome is commonly attributed to trauma from repetitive motion of the variety required in such jobs as data entry processors and computer programmers, other jobs requiring large amounts of typing or calculating, such as word processors, writers and accountants, those who repeatedly swipe barcodes at checkouts. As well as those who do painting, dry wall, pipe fitting, work on assembly lines, warehouse and meat packers and a myriad of other repetitive tasks.

If you are at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, your workplace may be able to provide information on preventive measures. If you think you may have early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome see a Health Care Professional to learn or to get an accurate diagnosis.

When diagnosed and treated early, this painful condition is reversible and can be managed by modifying activities (and work spaces), wearing a removable wrist brace and with anti-inflammatory medications. In more serious cases, cortisone injections are prescribed; the most serious cases require surgery to release the pressure exerted on the median nerve and address potential muscle atrophy, profound weakness and permanent nerve damage. Definitely a case of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Basal Joint Arthritis

The basal joint - the joint at the base of the thumb - is a common site for osteoarthritis. The degeneration of the cartilage and/or joint is usually the result of wear and tear from overuse or from normal aging, but may also occur because of trauma.

Basal joint arthritis can be quite painful, cause weakness to the hands and restrict normal movement and the ability to pinch and grasp some objects. It typically occurs after the age of 40, is more common in women than men, and often affects both thumbs. As it progresses, the smooth surface of the joint may degenerate, resulting in prominent bony spurs. 

This condition can grow worse by doing such repeated motions as: gripping objects with the thumb and fingers, twisting, or turning. The pain and tenderness from inflammation of the joint often increases during activities requiring pinching and grasping; it may cause as it progresses, the joint becomes more and more sensitive to pain, often leading those dealing with it avoiding activities using their thumbs. This, in turn, results in weakness and loss of muscle tone, making it difficult to hold even lightweight objects, pour milk, and perform common daily tasks. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see a Health Care Professional for a proper diagnosis. Treatment of the early stages of basal joint arthritis often includes the use of an expertly dispensed splint for the wrist and/or thumb to protect and rest the thumb during some activities. As with other instances of arthritis, keeping the joint warm may also be helpful.