Have you ever felt numbness at the fingertips, numbness of the hand, cramp in the hand, a locked finger, or symptoms like a needle or thorn pricking in the hand? These symptoms may look like a small matter at first, but in truth they may be a warning signal of the problem of fascia in the hand, which, if left without receiving treatment, may greatly affect the living of daily life and work.
In an age in which we use our hands to work with the computer, the mobile phone, or to do work that requires using the hands repeatedly for a long time, the problem of fascia in the hand has therefore become a matter met more often, particularly among the group of office workers and freelancers who have to work in front of a computer screen for a long time. Today we will come to understand "is hand fascia dangerous", together with recommending the way to deal with it and the effective approach to treatment.
Getting to know "fascia in the hand", the root of numb fingers and locked fingers
Fascia in the hand is a problem that can arise in several forms, and each form has different symptoms. Understanding the character of the problem will help us be able to care for and treat it correctly and in good time.
What is fascia in the hand, and what does it arise from?
Fascia in the hand, or what is called in medicine Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the area of the hand and the wrist, is a state in which the fascial tissue that wraps the muscle becomes inflamed, tight, or develops tender points (Trigger Points). This problem usually arises from using the hand in work repeatedly for a long time, gripping tools of an unsuitable size, or working in incorrect postures.
The symptoms of fascia in the hand usually begin from a feeling of tiredness and tightness in the area of the hand and the wrist. If left for a long time, it may spread into symptoms of numbness, tingling, or pain radiating as far as the arm and the shoulder. Understanding the cause of the problem will help us be able to prevent and treat it effectively.
The forms met often
The problem of fascia in the hand can be divided into several forms, each form having a different character of symptoms and cause. Understanding these differences will help one be able to identify the problem and find the suitable approach to treatment.
Fascia compressing the nerve (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
Fascia compressing the nerve (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) arises from the fascia in the area of the wrist swelling and becoming tight until it compresses the nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel, giving rise to symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain in the area of the thumb, the index finger, the middle finger, and half of the ring finger. This state is usually met in those who work with a computer for a long time or who use the hand in work repeatedly.
Locked finger (Trigger Finger)
Locked finger (Trigger Finger) arises from the fascia that wraps the tendon of the finger swelling and becoming tight, so that the tendon cannot move through the fascia smoothly, giving rise to symptoms of catching when the finger is bent or straightened, until there may be a loud sound when the finger moves. Both these states arise from using the hand repeatedly, and can greatly affect the living of daily life.
How dangerous is fascia in the hand if it is left alone?
Many people usually overlook the problem of fascia in the hand, thinking that it is merely a symptom of tiredness from work. But in truth, if it does not receive suitable treatment, this problem may spread and create long-term effects.
The early stage
In the first stage of fascia in the hand, patients will usually feel symptoms of tiredness and tightness in the area of the hand and the wrist after working for a long time. These symptoms may result in effectiveness at work decreasing, mistakes arising easily, and a feeling of discomfort when one has to work continuously for a long time.
Besides this, symptoms of headache may also arise from the tightness of the muscles spreading as far as the neck and the shoulders, affecting the quality of sleep and the state of mind. The living of daily life begins to have limitations, particularly activities that require fine use of the hands, such as writing, using electronic devices, or doing housework.
The severe stage
When the problem of fascia in the hand enters the severe stage, the symptoms will extend to compression of the nerves and the blood vessels, giving rise to symptoms of numbness and tingling of greater frequency, particularly at night or on waking in the morning. The patient may wake up because of the numbness and have to shake the hand in order to make the symptoms better.
In this stage, the strength in picking up and holding things will begin to decrease, so that things fall from the hand easily. Work that requires fine detail begins to have more problems, and inflammation of the tendons and the joints may arise as well. If treatment is not sought promptly, the symptoms may spread into a more severe state.
The greatest risk
If the problem of fascia in the hand is allowed to proceed without receiving treatment, in the last stage a state of wasting of the muscles of the hand (Muscle Atrophy) may arise, particularly the muscles in the area of the thumb, making the hand look distorted and lose the ability to be used.
Permanent loss of sensation is also a dangerous complication. The patient may not be able to feel heat, cold, or pain, resulting in a risk of injury from touching hot or sharp objects. In some very severe cases, surgery may be needed in order to reduce the compression, but the restoration may take a long time and may not be able to return to normal 100%.
5 warning signals! Indicating that fascia in the hand is becoming more severe
Observing the changes of the body is an important thing that will help us be able to deal with the problem in good time. For the problem of fascia in the hand, there are 5 important warning signals indicating that the symptoms are becoming more severe and that a doctor must be sought promptly.
1. Pain and numbness arising more often at night
When the fascia is very inflamed, the reduced circulation of blood while lying down will make the symptoms of numbness and tingling clearer. The patient usually wakes up because of the numbness and has to shake the hand in order to make the blood circulate better. If it is found that these symptoms arise more often than 2-3 times a week, that is considered a signal that a doctor must be consulted promptly.
2. The strength in picking up and holding things decreasing
The decrease of the strength of the hand arises from the nerve being compressed, so that the command from the brain to the muscles of the hand is not effective. The patient will find that things that were once easy to pick up and hold begin to slip from the hand more often, or that opening a water bottle, holding a telephone for a long time, or writing begins to have problems.
3. Feeling that the fingers or the palm are swollen and tight all the time
The feeling of swelling and tightness arises from the inflammation of the fascia, which makes the tissue swell and compress the nerve continuously. The patient may feel that a ring is tighter, or have a feeling as though wearing a glove all the time. This feeling usually becomes more severe in the morning and may remain throughout the day if the symptoms enter the severe stage.
4. The numbness spreading to other fingers or to the arm
When the problem becomes more severe, the numbness will spread to the arm, the shoulder, or even the neck. The patient may feel numbness throughout the whole arm, have pain like an electrical current passing through, or feel weakness in lifting the arm. The spreading of the symptoms indicates that the problem is becoming complex and requires specialist treatment.
5. Using preliminary care but the symptoms not improving within 2-4 weeks
If the hand has been rested, painkillers used, hot and cold compresses applied, or light exercise done, but the symptoms do not improve within 2-4 weeks, or become worse than before, it shows that the problem is too severe to be cared for by oneself. A doctor should be consulted promptly in order to find the suitable approach to treatment.
The approach to dealing with and treating fascia in the hand
Once the severity and the effects of the problem of fascia in the hand are understood, the important thing is choosing an approach to treatment that is suitable and effective. Correct treatment will help relieve the pain, prevent the spreading of the symptoms, and restore the working of the hand so that it returns to normal.
At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we use the technique, we have the technique of injection to dissolve the fascia (Ultrasound Guided Interfascial Hydrodissection) for cases in which the fascia is very dense or the symptoms are severe, which is a specialist method of treatment of high effectiveness, using the injection of saline or a special solution into the area of dense fascia in order to separate and dissolve the fascial tissue that has stuck together, helping reduce the compression on the nerves and the blood vessels, so that the symptoms of numbness and pain improve rapidly. This injection to dissolve the fascia is carried out under the guidance of an ultrasound device, for the highest precision and safety.
Besides this we also have treatment with Western needling (Dry Needling), which is a method of treatment of high effectiveness in relieving chronic pain of the muscles and the fascia, by inserting the needle into the tender points (Trigger Points) in order to release the tightness of the muscles and the fascia, helping the circulation of blood improve and stimulating the process of repair of the body naturally. Moreover there is the technology of focused shock waves (Focused Shockwave Therapy), which helps hasten the process of restoring the tissue, and stimulation with electromagnetic waves (PMS), which helps reduce inflammation and increase the effectiveness of the working of the nerves and the muscles. These treatments are carried out by physicians specialising in the field of rehabilitation medicine at every step, so that the result of the treatment is of the highest effectiveness and safe.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The problem of fascia in the hand is a matter that many people are interested in and have a great many questions about. We have gathered the questions met most often and answered them, so that readers obtain clear and useful information.
Can fascia in the hand go away by itself?
Fascia in the hand in the early stage can improve by itself if suitable care is received, such as resting the hand and doing light exercise. But in a case where the symptoms are severe or chronic, going away by itself is difficult. If the symptoms remain for more than 2-3 weeks, a doctor should be consulted for correct treatment.
If there is no surgery, is there a chance of permanent harm?
Treating fascia in the hand does not require surgery in every case. At present there are several methods of treatment without surgery that are highly effective, such as Dry Needling and injection to dissolve the fascia (Ultrasound Guided Neurofascial Hydrodissection). However, if the symptoms are allowed to become severe without treatment, permanent complications may arise. Therefore treatment in the early stage is very important.
How can the arising of fascia in the hand be prevented?
Prevention can be done by arranging the working environment suitably, resting the hand regularly during work, exercising to stretch the muscles of the hand, using tools of a suitable size, and avoiding incorrect postures for a long time. Keeping health good overall also helps reduce the risk.
In summary
Fascia in the hand is a problem that should not be overlooked, because if it is left without receiving treatment, it may have a serious effect on the living of daily life and work, from the early symptoms that are merely tiredness through to a severe state that may cause permanent loss of the use of the hand. Knowing how to observe the 5 important warning signals — namely pain and numbness at night, the strength of the hand decreasing, a feeling of swelling and tightness all the time, the numbness spreading to the arm, and the symptoms not improving within 2-4 weeks after preliminary care — will help us be able to deal with the problem in good time.
If you have symptoms that give cause for suspicion or want advice about the problem of fascia in the hand, choosing to receive treatment from physicians specialising in rehabilitation medicine who have modern technology will help you receive care that is effective and safe.