What causes hand pain?
Your hands are vulnerable to a variety of issues that can cause varying degrees of stiffness, pain, and loss of functionality. The most common of these issues are:
- Arthritis
- Tendon inflammation (tendonitis or tenosynovitis)
- Sprains and fractures
- Nerve laceration or injury
- Muscle strain
- Tendon laceration
- Ligament strain
- Median nerve compression (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Ganglion cyst
- Ulnar nerve irritation
The symptoms you’re experiencing often provide clues to the underlying cause. For instance, osteoarthritis and tendonitis often affect finger or thumb joints. However, osteoarthritis produces stiffness and joint discomfort that is generally worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. On the other hand, tendonitis can cause the affected joint to stick in place and then snap as the tendon releases, creating what’s commonly called trigger finger. Carpal tunnel syndrome may cause burning, tingling, and discomfort in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers and pain traveling up the arm toward the shoulder. However, ulnar nerve irritation typically causes hand pain and numbness or tingling in the ring and little finger.
When should I see a doctor for hand pain?
The team at North Point Orthopaedics encourages you to schedule a visit with one of their hand specialists whenever you’re concerned about symptoms in your hands or wrists, including:
- Decreased strength in your hands
- Increased clumsiness and difficulty holding objects
- Persistent or worsening morning stiffness and pain
- Numbness or tingling in any part of the hand
- Joint swelling, tenderness, or redness
- Inability to bend your fingers or make a fist
- Visible deformity following traumatic injury
- Sharp or burning pain that occurs with specific movements
You may require immediate treatment if a laceration or other traumatic injury causes nerve or tendon damage that interferes with function or sensation.
How do you treat hand pain?
The experts at North Point Orthopaedics develop treatment strategies based on a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis of your condition. Your plan may include physical therapy, medication to relieve inflammation, and other conservative treatments such as bracing or activity modification to prevent worsening joint damage. Should these measures not adequately relieve your symptoms, the North Point Orthopaedics group offers highly advanced surgical procedures such as nerve and tendon repair, finger joint replacement, and minimally invasive wrist arthroscopy. For severe damage or disease, the team may also suggest wrist or elbow joint replacement. Schedule an evaluation at North Point Orthopaedics today by calling the office or requesting an appointment online.