Your hand assists you in doing so much every day. You use it to write, hold a cup, open a door, cook and work. So, when your hand hurts, it can make daily life difficult very quickly.
A hand injury might appear minor, but it could be severe. There are two typical hand injuries, which are tendon and nerve injuries. Injuries can happen after a fall, cuts, strains, or repeated movements.
What Is a Tendon Injury?
Tendons are strong cords. They join muscles and bones. Tendons help hand movement and can be torn, strained, or inflamed.
Tendon injury can occur when you:
- Cut your hand deeply
- Move something too heavy
- Repeat the same movement multiple times
- Jam your finger
- Sports injury
- Sudden pull or snap
Tendon issues can occur gradually or without warning.
Signs of a Tendon Injury
A tendon injury can hurt. It makes moving your hand or finger painful. The area can also be weak or stiff.
Be aware of such signs:
- Discomfort while using your fingers, thumb, wrist, or hand.
- Difficulty bending or straightening a finger
- Localized pain or tenderness in one specific spot
- Popping or snapping sensation
- Weak grip
- A finger that fails to move normally
- Pain following excessive use of the hand
If you can move one finger but not another, it may indicate that one of the tendons is damaged.
What Is a Nerve Injury?
Nerves help your body feel things like touch, pain, heat and cold. They also send messages so your muscles can move. When a nerve is injured, the hand may feel strange or numb.
A nerve injury may happen after:
- A cut
- A broken bone
- Pressure on the nerve
- Repetitive strain
- Swelling in the hand, wrist, or elbow
Some nerve issues are linked to problems like carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome.
Signs of a Nerve Injury
A nerve injury often changes how your hand feels. It may not just hurt. It may also tingle, burn, or feel numb.
Look for these signs:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Burning pain
- Weak grip
- Trouble holding small objects
- Feeling like your hand is “asleep”
- Pain that shoots into the fingers
- Less feeling in part of the hand
If you drop things a lot or cannot feel certain fingers well, a nerve may be involved.
Tendon Injury or Nerve Injury: How They Feel Different
It can be hard to tell them apart because both can cause pain and weakness. But there are some clues.
A tendon injury often causes:
- Pain with movement
- Trouble bending or straightening
- Swelling
- Stiffness
A nerve injury often causes:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Burning
- Weakness
- Less feeling
Sometimes a person has both. That is why a full check is so important.
Common Hand Problems That Can Be Mixed Up
Some hand problems can look like a tendon or nerve injury. These include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- De-Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Trigger finger
- Tendinitis
- Sprains and strains
- Thumb CMC arthritis
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
These problems can cause pain, swelling, weakness, or numbness. That is why the right care matters.
When Should You Get Help?
You should get help if the pain does not go away or if your hand does not work as it should.
See a hand therapy expert soon if you have:
- Pain that keeps getting worse
- Numbness or tingling
- A finger that will not move well
- Weak grip
- Swelling that does not improve
- Trouble using your hand for daily tasks
- Pain after a cut, fall, or injury
Get help right away if you have:
- A deep cut
- A finger that looks crooked
- Severe pain
- Big swelling
- Bleeding that does not stop
- No feeling in part of the hand
How Garden State Hand Therapy Can Help
Garden State Hand Therapy was founded by Arpita Dharia. She has nearly 20 years of experience and focuses on hand therapy for upper extremity injuries. She also has strong expertise in arthritis, trauma and nerve injuries.
Our care may include:
- A close look at your hand and symptoms
- Patient education so you understand your injury
- Manual techniques to help movement
- Custom orthotics and prosthetics, when needed
- Care plans made with your doctor
- Evidence-based treatment
- Support for healing and daily function
We work to help reduce pain, improve motion and build strength. We also help people with tendon injuries, nerve injuries, fractures, sprains, strains and many other hand and arm problems.
What You Can Do at Home before Treatment
You should not try to fix a serious hand injury on your own. But while waiting for care, you can protect your hand.
Try these simple steps:
- Rest the hand
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Do not force movement
- Use ice for short periods if swelling is present
- Keep the hand raised when you can
- Wear support if a doctor or therapist told you to
Do not ignore numbness, loss of motion, or severe pain. Those signs need attention.
Simple Signs to Remember
If you are trying to tell the difference, remember this:
- Tendon injury often means trouble moving
- Nerve injury often means numbness or tingling
- Both can cause pain and weakness
If your hand does not feel normal, it is best to get it checked early.
Final Thoughts
A hand injury will alter your entire day. However, the positive aspect is that an escape exists. If you aren’t sure whether you have a tendon or nerve injury, examine the signs. Pain when moving might mean tendinopathy. Numbness, tingling, or burning could indicate a nerve issue.
At Garden State Hand Therapy, we help patients learn about their injuries. We also guide them on their healing journey. Through personalized professional care and the appropriate plan, you may strive to achieve improved hand strength, improved motion and improved comfort.
FAQs
Can a nerve injury cause numb fingers?
Yes. Nerve injuries often cause numbness, tingling, or burning.
Can hand therapy help with tendon and nerve injuries?
Yes. Hand therapy can help improve movement, strength and daily use of the hand.
