Finger injuries can remain sore, stiff and swollen for several months which can be very frustrating, especially if an x-ray has ruled out a fracture. If your finger remains sore after an injury despite a normal x-ray, it is likely that you have sustained an injury to one of the ligaments, or in some cases a tendon. Finger Ligament Injuries Ligament injuries in a finger can be just as serious and frustrating as a fracture as they can stay sore for many months. The most commonl

Tennis elbow braces can be a very valuable tool to relieve pain and aid your recovery from tennis elbow, but they do not work for everyone.  Their success may be dependent on how severe and long standing the problem is, amongst other factors.    Whilst tennis elbow braces do help, they are only one part of the solution to tennis elbow.   It is important that they are used in conjunction with appropriate exercises designed to help improve the health of the affected tendon.  

Expert Hand Therapy Advice Wondering why your finger or wrist is still swollen? Learn common causes, when to seek help, and how hand therapy can support recovery. After an injury, finger or wrist swelling can sometimes persist far longer than you’d expect, which can be worrying and frustrating.  At Bayside Hand Therapy we see persistent swelling after finger injury and wrist injury on a daily basis.  Rest assured swelling is normal, but it does require some help to ensure it

Causes and when to Seek Help If you have noticed one of your fingers is not straightening properly, it may be a sign of a significant problem that needs to be addressed. In this post, we’ll explain the most common causes of a drooping finger and when to seek professional help. Common Causes of a Drooping Finger Mallet finger injury One of the most common causes of a dropped fingertip is an injury to the tendon which is responsible for straightening the last joint of the finge

Understanding the Symptoms and when to Seek Help If you have wrist pain, tingling or numbness in your hands,  you might be wondering “ is this carpal tunnel syndrome?”  Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition, but there are many other conditions that can present with similar symptoms. At Bayside Hand Therapy, we specialise in helping people understand and manage conditions affecting the hand, wrist and elbow. In this article, we’ll explain what carpal tunnel syndrome fee

You may have "Texter's Thumb" With our ever increasing reliance on our phones and other electronic devices, we are seeing an increasing number of people with overuse conditions affecting their thumb or wrist.   This has been termed “Texter’s Thumb”  which is actually a collective name for a number of conditions which can occur with prolonged use of phones. One of the most common conditions we are seeing is inflammation (tenosynovitis) of the tendon responsible for bending the

Understanding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Its Impact on the Hands and Wrists. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of hereditary connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. While EDS affects the body systemically, the hands and wrists are particularly vulnerable to frequent strain, instability, and pain due to their complex anatomy and constant use. For many people living with EDS, even routine tasks like

Some people hold the mistaken belief that a fracture is a less serious injury than a broken bone. The truth is that these two words mean the same thing. In everyday language we use the word 'broken', but the correct medical term is 'fractured'. Neither term tells you anything about the severity of the injury. The medical professional looking after you may use other terms which give you a better idea of the severity of the injury. The way fractures or breaks are treated wi

Mirror box therapy is treatment that uses visual feedback with a mirror box as a technique for improving pain and movement in the hand or arm following stroke, phantom pain, complex regional pain syndrome and other limb injuries. Mirror box therapy is only one part of the process used to treat chronic pain. How to use a Mirror Box The patient places their affected hand into the mirror box so it is hidden from view. The unaffected hand is placed in front of the mirror so that

A thermoplastic splint is a custom-made brace made from light-weight plastic. These are made on the spot by your hand therapist by heating the plastic in hot water and molding it directly to your hand. What is a Thermoplastic Splint used for ? Thermoplastic splints are used to protect an injury such as a broken bone or ligament injury. Splints may also be used to improve a person's ability to use their hand, or to prevent deformity in certain conditions such as stroke and sp

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment If you are experiencing pain on the little finger side of your wrist, you may have come across the term TFCC injury . The TFCC, or Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex, plays an important role in stabilising the wrist during movement. If the TFCC is injured, everyday tasks like turning a key, draining a saucepan or pushing out of a chair can become difficult. In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about TFCC injuries, including what i

Does this injury mean I will get arthritis? At Bayside Hand Therapy we are often asked 'Will I get arthritis?' following finger, thumb and wrist injuries. In most cases, the answer is no, however there are some instances where the answer is yes it is likely. The following are some situations where the injury will lead to premature arthritis in the affected joint. A nasty intra-articular fracture which has disrupted the smooth surface of the joint. If the break extends into t

Dislocations can occur at any finger joint, but the most commonly affected joint is the middle knuckle, the PIP joint. Finger dislocations occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal limits of movement. This causes the internal stabilizing structures i.e. the ligaments, to be stretched or torn. The direction that the finger is forced into determines which structures will be injured. If the finger is bent backwards (hyper-extended), it is highly likely that the volar plat

What is tennis elbow? Tennis elbow is the most common cause of pain on the outside of the elbow. It most commonly affects adults aged between 40-50 years. Although the condition involves gradual degeneration in the tendons on the outside of the elbow, it often occurs after a sudden episode of increased hand use where the tendons were overloaded. Symptoms include tenderness of the bone on the outside of the elbow (the lateral epicondyle) and pain with gripping and lifting.

What is a Hand Therapist? A hand therapist is either an occupational therapist or physiotherapist who has undertaken additional training and accreditation in hand therapy. Hand therapists exclusively treat conditions affecting the hands, wrists, and upper extremities. These conditions can range from acute injuries, such as fractures and sprains, to chronic conditions like arthritis and repetitive strain injuries. Reasons Why you Might Consider Seeing a Hand Therapist: Achie

Many people who frequent the gym, whether to lift weights, attend exercise classes or crossfit, find that their wrists and fingers become sore and stiff after exercise. There are many ways of reducing the load, strain or impact through your hands at the gym, to prevent potential injuries. Our hands are one of our most valuable assets, so it is important to look after them. Here are some tips to reduce the chances of developing hand and wrist pain at the gym. Practise good f

Are you struggling with a crooked finger, wondering if there's a way to restore it to its natural, straight position? The good news is that in many cases, a crooked finger can be corrected with specialised help from a hand therapist. At Bayside Hand therapy we provide a number of techniques to help you regain the functionality and appearance of your finger. One of the most effective ways to restore extension to a bent finger is by applying a gentle sustained corrective force

Whether caused by accidents, sport, or repetitive strain, hand injuries are common. Two common treatment techniques are hot and cold therapy. While both hot and cold therapy have their advantages, determining which technique to use depends on the nature of the injury and the stage of healing. In this blog, we will delve into the benefits and applications of both hot and cold therapy, helping you to make an informed decision on which is best for your condition. Cold Therapy Co

So you are considering carpal tunnel surgery. Although every individual's experience may vary slightly, this guide will give you a general understanding of what lies ahead. During carpal tunnel surgery, also called carpal tunnel decompression surgery, the surgeon cuts the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. This is a relatively quick procedure which is usually performed as day surgery. You will be sent home with a bulky bandage on your wrist.

The habit of cracking knuckles, also known as 'knuckle popping', has been a topic of discussion and curiosity for a long time. Here are...