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Hand & Wrist Pain: Causes and Treatment

Your hands work hard every day — writing, typing, building, sewing, cooking and all the other things you enjoy. When an injury or chronic condition limits your ability to use your hands, your quality of life decreases. The orthopedic specialists at Beaufort Memorial can help you get to the root of hand pain and find a nonsurgical or surgical treatment that can help you get back to work and doing the things you enjoy most.

Experiencing hand or wrist pain? Request an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, or call 843-522-7435 to discuss your symptoms.

woman holding her painful hand

What Causes Hand Pain?

  • Arthritis: Arthritis affects joints throughout the body, causing inflammation that leads to pain and swelling. Osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on the joints, is the most common type. Other types of arthritis that can affect the hands include rheumatoid arthritis, in which the immune system attacks the joints with inflammation, and psoriatic arthritis, in which arthritis occurs alongside a skin condition. People with rheumatoid arthritis might notice swelling in the fingers, as well as pain in both hands and wrists.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome: A common cause of wrist pain, this condition develops when too much pressure gets placed on the median nerve where it passes through the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause aching, burning, numbness and/or tingling in the wrists, hands, thumb, and index, ring and middle fingers.
  • Cubital tunnel syndrome: Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve, which runs from your neck to your hand, gets compressed or irritated at the elbow joint. Although this condition starts in the elbow, it often leads to numbness and tingling in the hands and fingers.
  • Ganglion cyst: These fluid-filled lumps or masses commonly appear on the back of the wrist but also can form on finger joints. Ganglion cysts are not usually painful on their own, but they can put pressure on nerves, which can cause pain.
  • Mixed connective tissue disease: This is an uncommon autoimmune condition (when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues). It occurs when people have symptoms of two more other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, even if they do not meet the diagnostic criteria for those conditions. Pain and swelling in multiple joints, including in the hands, is common.
  • Trigger finger: This condition occurs when tendons in the fingers thicken or become inflamed. The ring finger and thumb (trigger thumb) are most commonly affected. When the finger is bent or straightened, pain, stiffness, or a locking or catching sensation can result.
  • Underlying causes: Gout, a build-up of uric acid in the blood, and diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy can both lead to hand and wrist pain. Pseudogout, in which calcium deposits affect the joints, can lead to wrist pain.
  • Unrelated causes: Sometimes, pain in hands and/or fingers results from a problem elsewhere in the body. For example, a pinched nerve in the neck can lead to tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation in the hand and fingers or muscle weakness throughout the arm.

Treatment Options

The experienced orthopedic specialists at Beaufort Memorial have helped many individuals with injuries and pain caused by overuse or arthritic conditions.

Generally, conservative treatments are chosen first. These can include:

  • Bracing to minimize joint movements
  • Corticosteroid injections to alleviate inflammation
  • Rest, ice, compression and elevation to reduce pain caused by overuse
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation to reduce pain and improve range of motion

When necessary, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend one of the following minimally invasive surgical procedures:

  • Arthroscopy: Orthopedic surgeons use a small camera to diagnose and sometimes assist with treating inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and tendonitis.
  • Carpal tunnel release: An orthopedic surgeon cuts the ligament over the carpal tunnel to release pressure on the median nerve. Similar procedures can be used to treat cubital tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.
  • Microsurgical nerve repair: Orthopedic hand surgeons and other specialists use this procedure to correct problems related to nerve compression.
  • Tendon/ligament repair: Surgeons can perform procedures to repair tendons and ligaments damaged by tendonitis, trigger finger and other similar injuries.