Wounds and Injuries

An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening. Injuries can happen at work or play, indoors or outdoors, driving a car, or walking across the street.

Wounds are injuries that break the skin or other body tissues. They include cuts, scrapes, scratches, and punctured skin. They often happen because of an accident, but surgery, sutures, and stitches also cause wounds. Minor wounds usually aren't serious, but it is important to clean them. Serious and infected wounds may require first aid followed by a visit to your doctor. You should also seek attention if the wound is deep, you cannot close it yourself, you cannot stop the bleeding or get the dirt out, or it does not heal.

Other common types of injuries include:

• Animal bites
• Bruises
• Burns
• Dislocations
• Electrical injuries
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Sprains and strains

Wrist Injuries and Disorders

Your wrist connects your hand to your forearm. It is not one big joint; it has several small joints. This makes it flexible and allows you to move your hand in different ways. The wrist has two big forearm bones and eight small bones known as carpals. It also has tendons and ligaments, which are connective tissues. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Ligaments connect bones to each other.

What are the types of wrist injuries and disorders?

Some of the more common types of wrist injuries and disorders are:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome, which happens when a nerve that runs from your forearm into your palm becomes squeezed at the wrist
• Ganglion cysts, which are noncancerous lumps or masses
• Gout, which is a form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in your joints
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by wear and tear of the joints.
• Sprains and strains, which are injuries to ligaments and injuries to muscles or tendons
• Tendinitis, inflammation of a tendon, usually due to overuse

Who is at risk for wrist injuries and disorders?

Certain things can put you at higher risk of having a wrist problem, including:

• Doing sports, which can put you at risk for injuries and puts stress on your wrist. For example, you may fall on your outstretched hand when you are skating or snowboarding. Your wrist could be injured while doing contact sports. And other sports such as gymnastics and basketball can strain your wrists.
• Doing repetitive wrist motions, such as typing on a keyboard, working on an assembly line, or using power tools.
• Having certain diseases. For example, rheumatoid arthritis can cause wrist pain.

What are the symptoms of wrist injuries and disorders?

The symptoms of a wrist problem can vary, depending on the problem. A common symptom is wrist pain. Some other possible symptoms include swelling, a decrease in wrist strength, and sudden numbness or tingling.

How are wrist injuries and disorders diagnosed?

Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:

• A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms
• A physical exam, including checking your wrist strength and range of motion
• An x-ray or other imaging test
• Blood tests

What are the treatments for wrist injuries and disorders?

Treatments for wrist pain depends on the type of injury or disorder. They may include:

• Resting your wrist
• Wearing a wrist brace or cast
• Pain relievers
• Cortisone shots
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Can wrist injuries and disorders be prevented?

To try to prevent wrist problems, you can:

• Use wrist guards, when doing sports that put you at risk for wrist injuries
• In the workplace, perform stretching exercises and take frequent rest breaks. You should also pay attention to ergonomics to make sure that you are using the proper wrist position while working.
• Make sure that you get enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong

Walking Problems

What are walking problems?

If you are like most people, you walk thousands of steps each day. You walk to do your daily activities, get around, and exercise. It's something that you usually don't think about. But for those people who have a problem with walking, daily life can be more difficult.

Walking problems may cause you to:

• Walk with your head and neck bent over
• Drag, drop, or shuffle your feet
• Have irregular, jerky movements when walking
• Take smaller steps
• Waddle
• Walk more slowly or stiffly

What causes walking problems?

The pattern of how you walk is called your gait. Many different diseases and conditions can affect your gait and lead to problems with walking. They include:

• Abnormal development of the muscles or bones of your legs or feet
• Arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, or feet
• Cerebellar disorders, which are disorders of the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance
• Foot problems, including corns and calluses, sores, and warts
• Infections
• Injuries, such as fractures (broken bones), sprains, and tendinitis
• Movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
• Neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis and peripheral nerve disorders
• Vision problems

How is the cause of a walking problem diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. This will include checking your bones and muscles and doing a neurological exam. In some cases, you may have other tests, such as lab or imaging tests.

What are the treatments for walking problems?

Treatment of walking problems depends on the cause. If the cause is a medical condition, treating that condition often improves your walking. Some common types of treatments for walking problems may include:

• Medicines
• Mobility aids such as walkers and canes
• Physical therapy
• Special shoes, insoles, splints, or braces
• Surgery