Hand injuries are common, and knowing what to do when you’ve hurt your hand can prevent further damage and reduce your recovery time. Hand injuries range from minor cuts and scrapes to major fractures with nerve or tendon damage. It is essential to pay attention to the type of injury that has occurred, as different types of treatment may be necessary to promote the best possible outcome. If you have a hand injury, you may experience pain, swelling, bruising, and loss of function. Therefore, you should seek treatment from a La Jolla hand injuries specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Here are some common types of hand injuries.

1. Fractures and Dislocations

Some fractures are more complicated than others, especially when the fracture involves the ring finger or pinky. When a finger is broken by trauma to the tip of one of these fingers, particularly if it doesn’t bend appropriately after the break, this condition is known as a mallet finger or “baseball finger.” Treatment for this injury usually requires surgery and extensive physical therapy, and it can take six months or longer to heal fully. A severe fracture of the finger’s base may need surgery to fix the break, with plates and screws used to align and hold all of the bone pieces in their proper locations. Reconstruction of a severely damaged finger usually results in some loss of movement and function.

1. Lacerations

Lacerations are cuts to the hand that may or may not involve broken bones. These injuries usually require sutures, which is an outpatient procedure that doesn’t take long. Most laceration repairs only take about 20 minutes to complete, but it’s important to remember that there will be some scarring. You will be given strict instructions about avoiding water, including pools and baths, until the stitches are removed. The stitches also need to be kept dry for 48 hours after your surgery.

1. Soft Tissue Injuries

Hand fractures and lacerations are the most common types of hand injuries, but these account for only a tiny percentage of all hand injuries. Most hand injuries involve soft tissue damage such as muscle strains and tendonitis. A major cause of these injuries is repetitive stress due to poor posture while typing or doing other activities. If you are in a situation where your job requires you to be typing for extended periods, proper ergonomics is critical. This aspect of hand care that a hand injuries specialist understands well.

1. Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are a common problem for people who work in La Jolla. Jobs that require repetitive motions, such as typing or assembly line work, can lead to overuse injuries. Unfortunately, these injuries can become quite severe and may even require surgery if they aren’t taken care of properly. Many healthcare professionals recommend taking frequent breaks from typing or other repetitive motions, especially when performing tasks that require an 8-hour day of work. If you feel pain in your hands after typing, it’s advisable to stop working and try to give them a rest.

In summary, there are many different types of hand injuries, including fractures, lacerations, soft tissue damage, and overuse injuries. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can treat injuries of all kinds effectively with proper care.