Managing Hand Pain: Types, Causes, and Effective Treatments
Hand pain means feeling uncomfortable in your hand or fingers, like throbbing, tingling, or stiffness. It happens because of things like hurting your hand, doing the same movements over and over, or having conditions like arthritis.
Your hand has nerves, bones, muscles, and blood vessels, all important for feeling and moving.
If your hand hurts a lot or doesn't feel right, it's best to see a doctor. They can help figure out what's wrong and how to fix it.
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Get A Second OpinionWhat are the causes of hand pain?
The following are some of the causes
Arthritis: Arthritis commonly causes hand pain, particularly in the hands and wrists. It leads to joint inflammation, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the hand.There are two main types of arthritis:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A tiny hand passageway containing tendons and nerves is called the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by a burning, stinging, itchy sensation in the palm and fingers, as well as pain in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Swelling that compresses the nerve is typically the cause of this illness.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis:De Quervain's tenosynovitis is when the tendons near your thumb swell up and hurt. This swelling presses on nearby nerves, making the bottom of your thumb painful and numb.
Ganglion Cysts:Ganglion cysts in the wrist and hand are usually painless but unsightly. They appear as lumps on the wrist, finger joints, or finger base and can change size rapidly. If they press on nerves, they may cause pain, tingling, or numbness
Gout:Anybody can develop the excruciating kind of arthritis known as gout. It causes sudden, intense pain in joints, often in the big toe but also in hands and wrists. Symptoms include intense pain, burning, redness, and tenderness.
Lupus:The immune system targets healthy cells in lupus, an inflammatory disease that frequently results in stiffness and pain in the joints. Flare-ups lead to body-wide inflammation, thickening joint linings and causing pain and swelling in the hands, wrists, and feet.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Due to nerve injury, peripheral neuropathy results in numbness, discomfort, or weakness in the hands and feet. Diabetes, injuries, infections, or metabolic issues can lead to this condition, affecting touch, temperature, pain sensation, and muscle movement.
Raynaud's Phenomenon:Because of swelling tendon sheaths, trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, causes fingers or thumbs to become trapped in a bent posture. Raynaud's is a condition where cold or stress causes excessive narrowing of blood vessels in the hands, resulting in pain, numbness, and color changes in the fingers.
Traumatic Injury: Hand injuries are common due to their fragility, especially in sports, construction, or falls. With 27 small bones, fractures can occur and affect hand function permanently if not treated properly.
Diagnosis of hand pain:
The examination of the hand is complex and thorough. An experienced examiner can isolate specific joints, tendons, and ligaments to assess function. Numerous tests exist to evaluate various causes of hand pain.
Typically, clinicians conduct a baseline assessment and then choose specific tests tailored to the patient's issue.
A typical exam will begin with an assessment of the following characteristics of your hand:
- Appearance
- Tenderness
- Mobility
- Stability
- Strength
Various imaging tests assess hand function, with x-rays being the most common for bone and joint health. Additional tests like ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRI studies may be necessary. Laboratory studies help diagnose infections or autoimmune diseases.
Treatment options for hand pain:
Treatment for arthritis:
Common treatments for arthritis include:
- Medicines to treat signs of pain and swelling
- Long-lasting anesthetic or steroid injections
- Joint splint during times of overuse
- Surgery
- Occupational therapy/physiotherapy modalities
Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome:
Common treatments for Carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Splint
- Avoiding uncomfortable activities
- Using ice or ice packs
- Taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
- Receiving anesthetic or steroid injections
- Take oral steroids
- Exercise and stretch
- Acupuncture
- Surgery
Treatment for De Quervain's tenosynovitis:
Common treatments for De Quervain's tenosynovitis include:
- Splint
- Applying ice or cold compresses
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- Avoid painful spots and pinching movements
- Having physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Surgery
- Injecting the area with a steroid
Treatment for ganglion cysts:
Treatment for ganglion cysts is frequently nonexistent. The cyst may shrink and disappear with rest and splinting. Your doctor may decide to remove the cyst completely or drain the fluid from it if this is causing you pain.
Treatment for Gout:
Painful gout attacks can be managed with a variety of medications, such as colchicine and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).
Some medications help prevent future seizures and complications. Find out more about managing gout with traditional and alternative treatments.
Treatment for Lupus:
Lupus can't be cured, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms, like pain and stiffness in the hands and wrists. Some options include:
- A hot or cold compress
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- NSAIDs
- Physiotherapy or occupational therapy
- Rest painful joints and avoid painful activities
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy:
Common treatments for peripheral neuropathy include:
- Prescription drugs that treat nerve pain
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Prescription pain relievers
- Anti-seizure medication
- Antidepressants
Treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon:
Primary Raynaud's usually don't require treatment, while secondary Raynaud's may need surgery. Treatment involves keeping hands and feet warm in cold weather with gloves, socks, boots, and hand warmers.
Treatment for stenosing tenosynovitis:
Common treatments for trigger finger include:
- NSAIDs
- An injection of steroids directly into the tendon sheath
- Surgery to free the tendon sheath
Treatment for Traumatic Injury:
For hand strains or sprains, seeing a doctor for an X-ray is crucial. Therapy helps with serious injuries. Treatment includes splints, which can be made at home, and surgery in severe cases.
When to visit a Doctor?
If you see a doctor for severe, persistent, or recurring pain in the hands or wrists.
See a doctor for hand pain that:
- Does not improve with home treatment
- Getting worse and worse
- Does not respond to treatment recommended by a doctor
- Maybe from a fall or other injury
- occurs in conjunction with additional symptoms including fatigue, fever, or arm ache
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Book an AppointmentHome Remedies for hand pain:
To relieve hand pain, try these simple exercises:
- Rotate the wrists counterclockwise, then clockwise. Repeat each movement 10 times.
- Open your hands as wide as you can, spread your fingers apart, then close your hands into a tight fist. Repeat 10 times.
- Use one hand to gently stretch the fingers of the other hand towards the chest. Repeat 5 to 10 times.
RICE therapy can help with hand and wrist pain:
- Rest the affected hand as much as possible.
- Put ice or something cold on the hurt hand for 20 minutes a few times a day.
- Wrap the sore part in a soft bandage, splint, or cast.
- Keep the affected hand raised, for example, by using a sling above heart level.
Other home remedies include:
- Massage the painful area and surrounding muscles.
- Apply heat or cold compresses alternately.
- Take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen for pain and inflammation.
