Possible Causes of Hand Pain

The human hands are complex and delicate structures that contain 27 bones. The muscles and joints in the hand allow for strong , precise and dexterous movements , but they are vulnerable to injury.

There are many different causes and types of hand pain. Hand pain can originate in different parts of the complex skeletal structure , including the :

• bones
• joints
• connective tissue
• tendons
• nerves

Hand  pain can stem from:

• inflammation
• nerve damage
• repetitive motion injuries
• sprains and fractures
• several chronic health conditions

Many conditions contributing to hand pain can be treated. Depending on the cause of your hand pain, you may benefit from medications , exercises or lifestyle changes.

1. ARTHRITIS

Arthritis (the inflammation of one or more joints) is the leading cause of hand pain. It can occur anywhere in the body but is particularly common in hands and wrist. There are more than 100 different types  of arthritis, but the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis typically affects older adults. Over the years , joints in the hands experience a lot of wear and tear. Articular cartilage is slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones  , allowing joints to move smoothly. As it gradually decreases , painful symptoms may begin to appear.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that can affect many parts of the body. It causes the joints to become inflamed , which leads to pain and stiffness. It often begins in the hands or feet , affecting the same joints on both sides of your body.

Arthritis symptoms include:

• dull or burning pain in joints of fingers or wrist
• pain after overuse ,such as heavy gripping or repetitive motion
• morning pain and stiffness in joints
• swelling around joints
• Over extension of thumb joints
• warmth at site of affected joints which is cause by inflammation
• sensation of looseness and grating around finger joints

Common arthritis treatments include:

• medications for pain and swelling
• steroid injections
• splinting of joints
• surgery
• physical therapy

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel is  a narrow passageway of ligament and bone located at the base of your hand.

It contains the median nerve and the tendons responsible for moving fingers.

It occurs when the median nerve gets squeezed by a narrowing carpel tunnel. This narrowing can be caused by the thickening of irritated tendons, inflammation, or anything that might cause swelling in this area.

Symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome may include:

• Frequent burning
• tingling or itching 
• numbness on the palm of our hand.
• pain around the thumb, index finger and middle finger.
• decreased grip strength
• pain at night
• trouble in grasping small objects
• wasting of muscles at the base of the thumb
• sensations of hot and cold are lost

Treatment:

• Splinting
• using ice packs
• oral steroids
• exercises and stretching
• acupuncture
• surgery

3. De Quervain's tenosynovitis :

It is a painful condition affecting the tendons around your thumb. Swelling in the two tendons around the base of your thumb causes the area around your tendons to become inflamed.

This inflammation puts pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain and numbness around the base of your thumb.

Symptoms include :

• pain around the thumb side of your wrist
• swelling near the base of your thumb
• trouble grasping
• popping feeling when moving thumb

Treatment:

• splinting
• applying ice or cold packs
• take pain relievers
• avoid painful task
• physical therapy
• surgery
• steroid injection

4. Ganglion cysts : 

Ganglion cysts of the wrist and hand are not typically painful, but they can be unsightly. They most often appear as a large mass or lump coming out of the back of the wrist.

These cysts are filled with fluid and can quickly appear , disappear , or change size.

If your ganglion cyst becomes large enough to put pressure on nearby nerves, you may experience pain, tingling, or numbness around the wrist or hand.

Ganglion cysts can often go without treatment. Rest and splinting can reduce the size of the cyst and it may go away with time.

5. Gout :

It is a complex form of arthritis , is an extremely painful condition that can affect anyone. People with gout experience sudden, severe attacks of pain in their joints. Gout most often affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can occur anywhere in the feet, knees, hands, and wrists.

If you have gout in your hands or wrists, you'll experience intense attacks of pain, burning, redness , and tenderness.

Medications are NSAIDs and colchicine.

6. Lupus : 

Lupus is autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and damages healthy tissue.

Joint pain and stiffness are often the first sign of lupus.

Symptoms:

• muscle pain
• hair loss
• fever
• rashes
• fatigue
• swelling on the legs or around eyes.
• pale finger or toes

Treatment:

• Warm or cold compress
• pain medications
• NSAIDs
• physical therapy
• rest the joints

7. Peripheral Neuropathy :

It occurs when the peripheral nerves of the hand are damaged. The cause of damage may include diabetes, traumatic injuries, infections, and metabolic problems.

The type and location of your neuropathic pain will depend on which nerves are affected.

Symptoms:

• numbness, prickling, or tingling in feet or in hands
• sharp , throbbing, freezing or burning pain in hands or feet
• lack of coordination
• muscle weakness or paralysis

Treatment :

• Antidepressants
• anti-seizure medication
• pain relievers

8. Raynaud's phenomenon :

It is also called Raynaud's disease, causes certain areas to become numb and cold when you're stressed or exposed to cold temperatures.

Symptoms :

• cold fingers and toes
• fingers and toe changing colors
• numbness or a tingling, throbbing, prickly feeling
• sores, gangrene, ulcers, and tissue damage.

Treatment focuses on preventing further attacks and reducing the likelihood of tissue damage.

9.Traumatic injury :

hand injuries are extremely common. The complex structure of the hand is delicate and vulnerable. Your hands are constantly exposed to danger. Hand injuries are common in sports, construction, and falls.

There are muscles in the hand that can be sprained or strained . Physical or occupational therapy is an essential component of treating any serious hand injury.

Treatment for fractures and sprains will vary depending on the type and location of the injury.

Splinting is a common treatment option.