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Hand pain doesn’t always start severely. Typing can lead to a dull ache that wakes you up feeling stiff and sore. You may notice mild discomfort when grasping objects throughout your day. It’s easy to brush these symptoms off, believing the pain will subside after resting your hand. If the ache persists for weeks or even months, however, it may be more than typical hand strain.
The human hand is composed of many small bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Even a small issue within these structures can lead to chronic pain.
If your hand hurts all the time, it’s your body telling you that something needs attention. Learn about common conditions that cause hand pain and when to seek specialist advice.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm side of your wrist. This tunnel allows the median nerve to run from your forearm into your hand. There isn’t much room for swelling, so when inflammation occurs, it puts pressure on the nerve.
Early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome include tingling, numbness and burning in your thumb, index finger and middle finger. Eventually, weakness may develop, making it harder to grip objects or perform small movements.
Some causes of carpal tunnel syndrome include repetitive motions of the wrist, excessive typing and certain conditions like diabetes and arthritis. If left untreated, continued compression of the nerve may cause permanent weakness.
Tendon injuries and tendonitis
Tiny tendons attach the muscles in your forearm to the bones in your hand. These flexible structures allow your hands to move with strength and dexterity.
When irritated or inflamed, tendons can lead to persistent stiffness and pain in your hands and wrists.
Typing, using hand tools and playing musical instruments can cause tendonitis to develop over time. Pain, swelling and tenderness often occur along with a decreased range of motion in your fingers or wrist.
Partial or complete tendon tears may also cause ongoing hand pain. Tendon injuries may require evaluation by a hand surgeon, as permanent limitations in hand movement can occur without treatment.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger is a condition that causes pain and restricted movement in your fingers. This irritation occurs when the tendon that straightens your finger becomes inflamed.
The tendon will catch or lock as it tries to move your finger. Many patients feel like their fingers click when bent and straightened. Others find that their fingers get stuck in a bent position.
Trigger finger may start as stiffness in your finger, but it can quickly develop into pain if caught. If you frequently make a gripping motion with your hand, you may be more prone to developing trigger finger. People with diabetes are also at a higher risk of developing this condition.
Hand and wrist arthritis
Arthritis can affect any joint in your hand, including your wrist. Over time, the cartilage thins, causing pain and inflammation as the bones rub together.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects your thumb and the base of your finger joints. You may experience stiffness, swelling and tenderness along with decreased range of motion.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects your whole body, including your
hands’ joints. Your immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation that can damage joints. Treatment can slow the progression of arthritis and relieve pain and swelling.
Nerve compression and nerve injuries
Compression or damage to the nerves in your hand may cause persistent pain. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, other nerves can become compressed from overuse, injury, or swelling.
Numbness, burning, tingling sensations and even sharp pains that radiate through your hand are signs that there may be nerve involvement. You may also experience weakness when trying to grasp objects. If the compression is not relieved, you may experience permanent nerve damage.
Broken bones that didn’t heal properly
Broken bones in your wrist or hand that don’t heal properly can cause long-term discomfort and pain. Many people don’t realise they fractured their hand because the break may be small or feel like a sprain.
Broken bones can heal in abnormal positions, affecting how your joints move. Pain may also occur in other areas of your hand due to compensation.
See a hand surgeon to determine if you have any fractures that are causing your pain.
When to seek specialist care
It’s normal to experience soreness throughout your hand following a day of hard work. However, pain that lasts for weeks may require further evaluation, especially if you experience:
– Persistent numbness
– Weakness
– Tingling sensations
– Inability to straighten your fingers
– Loss of movement in your wrist
– Pain that intensifies when you perform daily tasks
– Visible swelling in your wrist or fingers
Some patients search online for a hand surgeon near me when symptoms arise. While this research can help answer some questions, only a trained professional can diagnose your condition and provide treatment options.
Never ignore chronic pain. If left untreated, conditions that cause hand pain can worsen over time. Proper diagnosis is essential for finding relief and preventing further damage. From physical therapy to lifestyle changes and medication to surgery, there are many ways to treat the damage, but consulting a hand surgeon on the Gold Coast is the first step you can take toward discovering what’s causing your pain.