It’s easy to ignore many minor aches and pains. With all of life’s responsibilities, obligations, and opportunities, most of us are too busy to worry about some minor discomfort. Even in our hands and wrists, some of our body’s most necessary and useful parts, it’s easy to brush off minor pain as “normal” and expect it to go away on its own. In fact, it often does.

Because of our willingness to ignore small aches and pains, it’s possible for real injuries to be overlooked. Overlooking these injuries and leaving them untreated can lead to them becoming worse, and ultimately to long-term stiffness, pain, weakness, or loss of function. It’s also important to keep in mind that many injuries develop gradually, not from a single event. What seems insignificant today may be the beginning of something more serious.

Today, we’re going to consider some of these hand and upper-extremity injuries that often go overlooked and offer a few notes about how specialized hand therapy can help.

5 Overlooked Hand & Upper-Extremity Injuries

First, let’s clarify what “upper-extremity” means in this context. In most medical situations, the term upper-extremity is usually referring to a specific section of your upper body. It’s basically your arm. It extends from your shoulder joint to your fingers, including your upper arm, forearm, wrist, and hand¹. Because of how these body parts interact and influence each other, a hand therapist is typically trained and experienced in treating conditions that affect your hand and wrist as well as your forearm and upper arm – right up to your shoulder.

With that clarification out of the way, let’s consider some of these often-overlooked injuries.

1. Thumb UCL Sprain (“Skier’s Thumb”)

What it is: Skier’s thumb is a sprain or tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the thumb. It gets its name from the fact that it is often caused by a fall onto an outstretched thumb, often while a person holding onto something (like a ski pole)².

Warning signs: Aside from pain, noticeable symptoms can include difficulty gripping, pinching, or opening jars.

Why it’s overlooked: Many people will mistake this injury for a simple jammed thumb that will resolve itself, without realizing there’s an underlying injury that can become worse if left untreated.

How hand therapy can help: A hand therapist can help diagnose the condition and can create a personalized treatment plan that can include swelling control, strengthening exercises, stabilization, or functional training that can assist your recovery.

2. Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Strain

What it is: A TFCC strain is an injury to the pinky-finger side of the wrist. Your TFCC consists of ligaments and cartilage that connect your forearm bones to each other and to the smaller bones in your wrist³.

Warning signs: Symptoms can include pain during twisting motions (turning keys, opening doors), clicking sounds, or weakness in the wrist.

Why it’s overlooked: Pain from a TFCC strain ca often feel vague or deep inside the wrist, which is easy for many to ignore.

How hand therapy can help: A hand therapist can provide many treatment options, possibly including wrist stabilization, strengthening, motion retraining, and lifestyle adjustments to guide you toward recovery.

3. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

What it is: De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. The exact cause is unknown, but it can be exacerbated by activities that rely on repetitive hand or wrist movement – like gardening or sports⁴.

Warning signs: Symptoms will usually include pain or swelling near the base of the thumb, and can also include difficulty grasping or pinching with the thumb and wrist.

Why it’s overlooked: People sometimes assume it’s just “typing pain” or overuse soreness that will relieve itself in time.

How hand therapy can help: Therapy for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis will be tailored to your specific condition and situation, but may include tendon gliding exercises, soft tissue work, splinting, or ergonomic strategies to enhance recovery in your daily life.

4. ECU Tendon Subluxation

What it is: The Extensor Carpi Ulnaris (ECU) is a muscle that operates on the ulna side of the wrist. A subluxation is a partial joint dislocation where bones are still in contact, but misaligned. It is a relatively uncommon injury, but is more common among athletes participating in sports like tennis, golf, and rugby⁵.

Warning signs: Symptoms can often include pain with forearm rotation, lifting, or racket/club sports.

Why it’s overlooked: This condition can sometimes feellike brief, sharp “twinges” or snapping during rotation. If the pain is intermittent, it can be easy to ignore.

How hand therapy can help: Therapy for ECU Tendon Subluxation may include stabilization, proprioception retraining, or progressive loading to gradually improve movement and flexibility.

5. Nerve Compression (Carpal Tunnel & Cubital Tunnel)

What it is: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve in the elbow⁶.

Warning signs: Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand and fingers. Symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome can include numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers and may include pain in the forearm.

Why it’s overlooked: Symptoms often come and go, and the occasional numbness and tingling don’t always seem significant.

How hand therapy can help: A hand therapist may be able to help through strength and mobility exercises and nerve glides, and may also help with splinting and ergonomic modifications.

Each of these conditions can seriously affect your ability to thrive and enjoy your daily life, and each can become worse or lead to other problems if left untreated. Hand therapy developed as a specialty within physical therapy and occupational therapy precisely because our hands and upper extremities are so vital to so much of what we do.

So, how do you know when it’s time to see a hand therapist?

If you find that you have difficulty gripping, writing, lifting, or performing fine motor tasks, you should consider reaching out for help. If you have persistent pain that lasts more than 1-2 weeks, or if you experience numbness or tingling, a hand therapist can help. You should also consider a hand therapist if have a recent injury – even if it seems minor. It’s better to have a therapist and not need one than to need a therapist and not have one.

At Strive! Physical Therapy Centers, specialized hand therapy is offered alongside our other physical therapy and occupational therapy services, providing local residents an integrated approach to diagnosis and care for more than 40 years. If you have questions or concerns about your hands or upper extremities, consulting with a trained hand therapist is a great way to avoid long-term problems and get some peace of mind. Give us a call at 352-351-8883 or email us today to schedule a free consultation.