How an Orthopedic Surgeon Can Help With Your Poor Grip

Posted on 09/15/2022

Most people do not realize how much they rely on the strength of their wrists and hands. Grip strength is not just for rock climbers and athletes. It allows people to do simple tasks like carrying dishes, holding a hairbrush, opening jars, writing, and more. Poor grip strength can lead to significant functional limitations. For example, it can cause you to drop items frequently. 

 

Whether your poor grip is due to an underlying health condition or loss of muscle strength, an orthopedic surgeon can help. Your doctor will determine the cause of your problem and offer the appropriate treatments to restore your grip strength.

 

Grip Strength and Health

Many people use a handshake to judge a person’s confidence and character. However, grip strength may help indicate more than your self-confidence. It can also offer clues about your future health.

 

A study published in The Lancet suggests that the strength of your grip may predict your risk of suffering a stroke, heart attack, or heart disease. Your grip measures the power and force of your forearm muscles. It determines the weight your grip can handle and how strongly and firmly you can hold onto things.

 

So, how can your poor grip affect your health? Gray hair and wrinkles are not the only changes you have to deal with as you age. The aging process also involves loss of strength and muscle mass, increasing your risk of physical disability and falls. That is why doctors use grip strength to assess muscle strength and various health risks.

 

Common Causes of Poor Grip Strength

Some of the reasons you might experience a loss of grip strength include:

 

• Nerve problems

• Ligament problems

• Rendon issues

• Arthritis

• General weakness
  
   

How an Orthopedic Surgeon Can Help 

Addressing poor grip may be a factor in preventing future health problems and improving overall welness. An orthopedic surgeon specializes in conditions that affect the normal functioning of the arm, wrist, and hand. If you have a poor grip, your surgeon will identify the underlying cause and determine the most effective treatment. 

Poor Grip Due to Muscle Weakness or Loss

For muscle weakness and loss, orthopedic surgeons recommend specific exercises to improve muscle strength. Your surgeon may also suggest one-on-one physical therapy or a well-rounded exercise program that targets major muscle groups. 

 

Poor Grip Due to an Underlying Condition

If an underlying health condition is the cause of your poor grip, your orthopedic surgeon will offer targeted treatments to resolve the underlying condition. Some of these treatments include:

 

• Steroid injections

• Minimally invasive surgery

• Platelet-rich plasma therapy
  
   

When to Visit a Hand Specialist

Several disorders and injuries can affect the hand, leading to reduced function and pain. Is your hand condition causing discomfort or pain and preventing you from performing your daily tasks? If so, it is time to visit a hand specialist for treatment. 

 

No matter your age or lifestyle, you will pick up heavy things occasionally, whether it is luggage, groceries, or your child. Strengthening your grip will make it easier to clasp and lift things. It will also help improve your overall health. So, do not let your poor grip strength impact your future health and current abilities. 


 

For more information on orthopedic surgery for grip strengthening, contact East Bay Hand & Upper Extremity at our Oakland, California office. Call 510-904-1100 to schedule an appointment today.