Hand Pain Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Our hands are made up of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. These complex structures allow precise sensation and dexterous movement to function in the world around us. However, as one of the body parts that receives the most wear and tear, the hand is also incredibly vulnerable to conditions that trigger pain.
Hand pain can be caused by traumatic injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, ligament tears, repetitive motion, and chronic health conditions. For some patients, chronic hand pain can be attributed to an underlying medical condition. Treatment for hand pain depends on the cause. During your consultation for hand pain, we will examine you thoroughly, discuss your symptoms, provide you with a diagnosis, and offer a variety of advanced treatment options.
Treat Hand Pain In Long Island and New York
The surgeons at The Institute for Hand Surgery at Long Island Plastic Surgical Group (LIPSG) are experts in treating hand pain and restoring proper hand function. We specialize in hand surgery and offer a range of treatment options for conditions affecting the hands.
If you’re experiencing hand pain or would like to know more about your treatment options, please contact us to schedule a consultation. Below we’ll outline common causes of hand pain, as well as when it’s time to see a doctor.
Common Causes of Hand Pain
Traumatic Injury
Injuries such as fractures, ligament tears, flexor tendon injuries, and extensor tendon injuries in the hands and wrists are extremely common. When not treated properly, these types of injuries can heal poorly and permanently change the hand’s function. Treatment for serious hand injuries can include therapy, injections, splinting and/or surgery.1
Arthritis
Arthritis is a leading cause of pain in the thumb, finger joints, and wrists. Symptoms include aching or dull pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, grating or grinding sensations, and looseness around the finger joints.2 The two main types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, can result from the mechanical loss of articular cartilage and typically affects older adults, while rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints in the hands resulting in joint damage. Treatment for arthritis can include medications, physical therapy modalities, and/or surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the median nerve as it runs from the forearm through the tight carpal tunnel at the wrist into the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning, itching, pins-and-needles, and ultimately weakness in the fingers and the palm.3 Severe carpal tunnel syndrome may lead to muscle loss, decreased grip strength, and the inability to perform certain tasks. Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include medications, splinting, steroid injections, and/or surgery.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, occurs as a result of ulnar nerve entrapment. This can occur in several locations; however, the most common place for nerve constriction is behind the inside of the elbow.4 When the ulnar nerve is compressed in this location, it is referred to as “cubital tunnel syndrome.” Cubital tunnel syndrome symptoms can include tingling and numbness in the ring and small fingers, weakness and muscle wasting, and loss of fine motor coordination in the hand. Treatments include bracing, changes in activity, and/or surgery.
Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome
Ulnar tunnel syndrome can occur when the ulnar nerve that runs from the neck to the hand is constricted at the wrist. The ulnar nerve provides sensation to the ring and small fingers, as well as motor input to the small muscles of the hand. Symptoms include reduced grip strength, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness on the outside of the ring finger and in the pinky finger and along the outside of the ring finger. Treatment for ulnar tunnel syndrome will depend on what’s causing the nerve compression and typically include anti-inflammatory medications, a wrist splint, and/or surgery.
Kienböck’s Disease
Kienböck’s disease, also referred to as osteocronosis or avascular necrosis of the lunate, is a rare condition that can lead to dysfunction, wrist pain, arthritis, and wrist collapse. It happens when the lunate bones in the central wrist become damaged due to lack of blood supply. In addition to pain, symptoms include stiffness, swelling, limited range of motion, reduced grip strength, and tenderness on the top of the wrist. In its early stages, Kienböck’s disease symptoms can often be managed with anti-inflammatories and splints. Advanced Kienböck’s disease generally requires surgical intervention, such as revascularization, joint leveling, proximal row carpectomy, or bone fusion.5
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the result of an inflamed or irritated tendon that occurs from anatomical irregularities, mechanical compression, or certain repetitive hand/wrist motions. Tendonitis can cause tenderness and pain around the wrist joint or fingers. This can result in clicking, snapping, or even locking of certain joints. Symptoms include pain, redness, warmth, swelling around the wrist joint or tendons, finger swelling, and a grinding sensation when the tendons move. Treatment for tendonitis may include icing the affected tendon, anti-inflammatories, wrist splints, steroid injections, and/or surgery.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can develop when the extensor tendons along the thumb side of the wrist swell and become inflamed due to repetitive motion.6 Typical symptoms include pain and swelling at the wrist below the base of the thumb. The pain can be severe and is often associated with grasping or twisting motions of the wrist. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can also cause a popping sensation when moving the thumb. Treatments include splinting, pain relieving medications, physical therapy, steroid injections, and/or surgery.
Gout
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that can affect anyone and can cause severe pain in the joints.7 Gout is caused by deposits of uric acid crystals in the tissues around the joints. This causes severe inflammation and pain. Patients with gout in the hands or wrists typically experience intense pain, tenderness, burning, redness, and even joint damage. Treatment for gout typically includes medication such as colchicine, allopurinol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). In some cases steroid injections or surgery is indicated.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in your hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy occurs as a result of underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, alcohol abuse, or even certain medications. Resulting from damage to the peripheral nerves, the location and type of neuropathic pain will depend on the nerves affected. Symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, extreme sensitivity, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, or paralysis. Treatment for peripheral neuropathy typically includes prescription medications, treatment of the underlying condition, and may involve surgical nerve decompression in certain cases.
Stenosing Tenosynovitis
Stenosing tenosynovitis, also referred to as “trigger finger,” is a painful condition that causes stiffness, clicking, or locking of the affected thumb or finger. The exact cause of a trigger finger is not understood, but it may involve repetitive motion and some underlying factors such as genetics and anatomy. Those with stenosing tenosynovitis may experience stiffness, soreness, or radiating pain at the base of the affected finger. There may be a popping sensation when straightening and/or bending the finger. Treatment may include steroid injections, NSAIDs, and/or surgery.
When To See a Doctor For Hand Pain
If you have experienced a traumatic injury or are suddenly experiencing hand pain, it is advised that you seek medical attention. Some conditions that cause hand pain develop over time. If gradually worsening hand pain has been bothering you, it’s also an indicator that you should seek help from a qualified hand specialist.
Schedule A Consultation To Treat Hand Pain
To find out what’s causing your hand pain and to learn about your options for treatment, please contact us today.
1 HAND. Metacarpal fractures: treatment and complications. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928373/. Accessed July 12, 2021.
2 Mayo Clinic. Arthritis. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772. Accessed July 12, 2021.
3 AAOS. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/#:~:text=Carpal%20tunnel%20syndrome%20is%20a,it%20travels%20through%20the%20wrist. Accessed July 6, 2021.
4 AAOS. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at the Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome). Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/ulnar-nerve-entrapment-at-the-elbow-cubital-tunnel-syndrome/. Accessed July 13, 2021.
5 AAOS. Kienböck’s Disease. Available: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/kienbocks-disease/. Accessed July 13, 2021.
6 Mayo Clinic. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371332. Accessed July 6, 2021.
7 Cleveland Clinic. Gout. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4755-gout. Accessed July 12, 2021.
