Hand & Wrist Pain

From sports injuries and accidents to aging and degeneration, hand & wrist pain may occur for numerous reasons. The Alliance Orthopedics team is well-equipped to treat a wide variety of hand and wrist conditions to help you get better. Before beginning any treatment, your provider will examine your hand to determine the cause of your pain.

Hand and wrist pain may be caused by underlying diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. A sprain or strain, an overuse injury, disuse, and trauma may also cause it. Common causes of hand and wrist pain include: 

Fractures of the finger, hand, or wrist occur when a bone is broken, often resulting from a fall, direct trauma, or heavy impact. Common symptoms include sharp pain, noticeable swelling, stiffness, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area. The severity of fractures can vary widely, from small hairline cracks to full breaks, sometimes with visible deformity. Quick medical assessment is important to evaluate the extent of the injury and support proper healing.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which travels through a narrow passage in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel, becomes compressed. This condition is often associated with repetitive hand movements, wrist injuries, hormonal fluctuations, or certain health conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, which can increase susceptibility to nerve compression. Individuals with CTS commonly experience tingling, numbness, and aching pain in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.

Carpal tunnel symptoms can be persistent and may interfere with daily activities, such as holding objects or typing. Grip strength is often weakened, making it difficult to perform tasks that require fine motor skills. Additionally, many individuals report discomfort or a burning sensation that radiates from the wrist up the forearm. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms often worsen at night, causing interrupted sleep. Recognizing these symptoms early is important for addressing and managing CTS effectively.

Hand and wrist arthritis is a common cause of pain, particularly as cartilage in the joints wears down over time. This loss of cartilage leads to increased friction between the bones, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness in the affected joints. As the condition progresses, joint mobility can decrease, making everyday activities such as gripping, lifting, or twisting more difficult. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most prevalent types of arthritis affecting the hand and wrist.

Osteoarthritis typically develops gradually with age, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and joint damage. Symptoms of arthritis in the hand and wrist can include aching pain, morning stiffness, swelling, and difficulty moving the joints, especially after periods of inactivity. These symptoms can fluctuate, often worsening with use or changes in the weather.

While arthritis is a progressive condition, treatments can help relieve pain and maintain function through lifestyle modifications and targeted exercises.

Wrist sprains occur when the ligaments, which are the bands of connective tissue connecting bones, are overstretched or torn, typically due to a sudden fall or impact. Wrist strains, in contrast, involve the muscles or tendons and can result from overuse or excessive force. Both sprains and strains can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and limited mobility in the wrist. The pain may worsen with movement or pressure on the affected area.

In some cases, individuals may also experience weakness in the wrist, making it difficult to grasp objects or perform daily tasks. The severity of symptoms can vary, with mild cases often resolving with rest and ice, while more severe sprains and strains may require additional interventions such as physical therapy or bracing to aid in healing and regain function.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, which causes pain that worsens with activities like gripping, pinching, or turning the wrist. The exact cause is unknown, but repetitive hand and wrist motions are known to contribute to this condition. Symptoms often improve with rest and exercises designed to relieve tension in the affected tendons.

Trigger finger is a condition where one of your fingers becomes locked in a bent position, often snapping when you try to straighten it. This occurs when the tendon that controls the finger becomes inflamed or irritated, causing it to catch on the surrounding tissue. Trigger finger is especially common among people who perform repetitive gripping actions.

Treatment options typically start with conservative approaches like rest, stretching, and corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and improve tendon movement. However, if these treatments do not provide sufficient relief or if the condition significantly limits daily function, Percutaneous Trigger Finger Release may be considered. This minimally invasive procedure releases the constricted tendon sheath, allowing the tendon to move more freely and restoring finger flexibility.

Mallet finger is a condition that occurs when the tendon responsible for straightening the outermost joint of a finger is damaged, usually from a forceful impact or trauma, such as catching a ball. This damage causes the fingertip to droop and prevents it from being fully straightened. It is also known as “dropped finger” because the finger tip remains bent. The condition is relatively common in sports, particularly those involving balls, such as basketball, baseball, or football, and it can also occur due to accidents or falls.

Individuals at higher risk include athletes, particularly those who play contact or ball sports, as well as individuals who may experience trauma to the finger through manual labor or recreational activities. If untreated, mallet finger can lead to permanent finger deformity, so early diagnosis and treatment are essential to restore normal function.

Tendonitis in the hand or wrist is an inflammation of the tendons, which may be caused by overuse, repetitive strain, or acute injury. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, and limited movement in the affected area. Tendonitis is often managed with rest, ice and physical therapy to prevent further irritation and strengthen the surrounding muscles and tendons.

Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition where thickened tissue forms under the skin in the palm, causing one or more fingers to bend toward the palm. Over time, this thickened tissue can lead to limited hand function and decreased grip strength. While the exact cause is unknown, factors such as genetics and age play a role. For some individuals, advancing Dupuytren’s contracture can hinder hand function, making it challenging to carry out everyday tasks. When this happens, both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options can help slow the progression of the condition and improve mobility in the affected fingers.

Masses or cysts in the hand, fingers, or wrist are typically benign, with ganglion cysts being the most common. These fluid-filled lumps can appear near joints or tendons, causing pain, tenderness, or restricted movement, depending on their size and location. Though often harmless, symptomatic cysts can be treated through aspiration, immobilization, or, if necessary, surgical removal.

Arthritis can cause the cartilage in your joints to wear out. As a result, the bones produce a painful feeling when they move against each other, causing swelling at the joint. Progressive wearing-out of cartilage can occur due to aging, a fracture, or a dislocation.

Your hands and wrists are more than just body parts. They are the bridge between your brain and everything you touch. So whether your pain is caused by a degenerative disease, sports injury, or wear and tear, Alliance Orthopedics may help you find relief.