Decoding Your Hand Pain: A Step-by-Step Evaluation Guide
Decoding Your Hand Pain: A Step-by-Step Evaluation Guide
What's This About?
Hand pain can be baffling, but a systematic evaluation can help pinpoint the problem. Learn how medical professionals assess hand pain.
Contents
- History Taking: Your Story Matters
- Physical Examination: Hands-On Approach
- Special Tests: Digging Deeper
History Taking: Your Story Matters
Medical history is vital in diagnosing hand pain. Details about hand dominance, symptoms onset, and any injuries are crucial. Patients should describe pain intensity and note activities that worsen or relieve symptoms.
Physical Examination: Hands-On Approach
Doctors inspect the hand for deformities, swelling, and muscle atrophy. They palpate joints and tendons to find tender areas, and assess the range of motion and strength across joints.
Special Tests: Digging Deeper
Special tests such as the Phalen and Tinel's signs can help diagnose conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. These tests focus on reproducing symptoms to confirm nerve entrapment.
FAQs
What is the first step in evaluating hand pain?
The first step is taking a detailed medical history from the patient.
What do doctors look for in a physical exam?
They inspect for deformities, swelling, and muscle atrophy, and test joint and tendon function.
What are the special tests for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Phalen and Tinel's signs are commonly used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.
Wrapping Up
A thorough evaluation is the cornerstone of understanding and treating hand pain.
Additional References
- Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Kelley's textbook of rheumatology, 9th, Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, McInnes IB, O'Dell R (Eds), Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia 2013. Vol I, p.718.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.