Overview
Each hand and wrist is composed of 27 small bones and 30 muscles that control them. Your wrist is capable of movement in many ways and helps provide the hand with very finely detailed movements: it flexes and extends, it turns out and turns in, and even moves in a circle.
Hand and wrist pain can significantly impact daily activities, from simple tasks to professional responsibilities. Identifying the underlying causes and seeking prompt medical evaluation can lead to effective treatment and improved hand function.
Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that affects the hands. It can develop from normal hand use or after an injury. The condition primarily affects three areas: the base of the thumb, the end joint near the fingertip, and the middle joint of a finger. Osteoarthritis causes swelling, stiffness, and pain in the affected joints, leading to joint enlargement and interference with hand function, impacting one's quality of life.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve in the wrist is compressed, causing pain and affecting the use of the wrist and hand. It can result in symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and three middle fingers. Without proper care, carpal tunnel syndrome can worsen over time.
Tendonitis & Tenosynovitis
Tendonitis and tenosynovitis are common problems affecting tendons. Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, causing swelling and pain, commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendon sheaths, often caused by strain, overuse, injury, or excessive exercise, and can affect both the sheath and tendon. These conditions can also be related to diseases like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
Trigger Finger
A tenosynovitis condition in which the tendon sheath becomes inflamed and thickened, thus preventing the smooth extension or flexion of the finger. The finger may lock or "trigger" suddenly.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis results from wrist tendon inflammation near the thumb base, leading to painful thumb and wrist movement due to swelling in the tendon compartment. Common finding is pain directly over the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.
Fractures and Dislocations
Fractures or broken bones are one of the most common types of injuries sustained by individuals of all ages. Most of the time, these injuries are relatively minor and can be treated using casts or splints; however, some cases do require surgery.
Struggling with hand or wrist pain? Explore the available treatments for your hand or wrist pain here
