What Is Scar Tissue?
“Scar tissue is also known as adhesion or fibrosis.” It represents the thick fibrous material that develops to replace damaged tissue following injury, surgery, or cuts.
What Causes Scar Tissue to Form in the Hand?
Scar tissue develops through two primary mechanisms. First, when tendons, ligaments, or muscles are torn or crushed, the body generates scar tissue to reunite the damaged pieces, a necessary part of healing.
Second, inadequate blood oxygen (hypoxia) can trigger scar tissue formation. Muscle tension restricts blood flow, and poor posture, prolonged sitting pressure, or intense athletic activity can all reduce oxygen availability. This hypoxic state causes free radical accumulation that attracts cells responsible for scar tissue production.
Effects of Scar Tissue
- Muscle length reduction - Scar tissue lacks the flexibility of healthy muscle, limiting range of motion
- Delayed lengthening speed - Muscles with scarring take longer to reach full length, creating strain
- Reduced strength - Scar tissue binds muscles, reducing functional capacity and energy production
- Pain - Nerve endings within scar tissue can cause localized or referred pain
- Nerve entrapment - Scar tissue can trap nerves against muscles, causing numbness, weakness, burning, aching, and tingling
Symptoms of Scar Tissue in the Hand
Hand scar tissue can result in carpal tunnel syndrome with associated numbness and weakness. It may also contribute to De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, characterized by pain and tenderness near the thumb’s base. Trigger points and accelerated degenerative changes in surrounding bone may also develop.
Treatments
While the body cannot rapidly eliminate scar tissue, several approaches help reduce it: topical treatments, surgery, radiotherapy, steroid injections, and chiropractic adjustment to relieve muscle strain.
