Hands

Conditions that affect the hands have a huge impact on our daily lives. This section by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons includes articles on the extremely common complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive strain injury. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist and it leads to pain, numbness and weakness in the hands and fingers. Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term used to describe a broad range of symptoms caused by the repeated movement of a particular part of the body and it usually affects the upper limb (shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand). It can be caused by any repeated activity including sports and pastimes, but more often it is due to workplace activities. In addition, recent advances in technology such as smartphones, handheld videogames and even hair-straighteners have led to a new wave of RSI problems.