Your hands and wrists contain an intricate arrangement of joints, tendons, ligaments and bones that work together to accomplish daily functions we can easily take for granted. When something goes wrong, suddenly simple tasks can become a chore. That’s when you want a team of hand care specialists and surgeons who are regionally and nationally recognized for their expertise in the nonsurgical and surgical treatment of hand and wrist pain and disorders.
Summit Orthopedics’ hand and wrist specialists provide expert diagnosis and treatment for hand and wrist pain at locations throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Types of Hand and Wrist Pain
Pain in the hands and wrists can vary depending on the cause. You may experience discomfort that is:
- Burning
- Dull or aching
- Sharp or stabbing
- Throbbing
- Tingling (a feeling of pins and needles)
Along with pain, you may have other symptoms, such as:
- Deformity
- Limited range of motion
- Numbness
- Popping or cracking sounds
- Rash and redness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Weakness
Causes of Pain in the Hands and Wrists
Many cases of hand pain and wrist pain are acute or short-term. Acute hand and wrist pain may be caused by trauma or repetitive movements, like lifting.
Medical conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia can cause chronic or long-term pain in the hands and wrists.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that cause joint damage, leading to inflammation, stiffness and pain. People with hand arthritis may also have deformity, swelling and hand joint pain when moving their hands or fingers.
Boxer’s Fracture
A boxer’s fracture is a broken bone in the pinky finger, or fifth metacarpal bone. The metacarpals are the long bones inside the palm. Boxer’s fractures are the most common type of hand fracture. In addition to pain, bruising and swelling, you may also have difficulty straightening your little finger.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes compressed at the wrist. This can result in pain, numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Also called de Quervain’s syndrome, this condition occurs when the wrist tendons at the base of the thumb are constricted. If you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, you may feel severe pain when you pinch, grab or make a fist. There may also be swelling.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren contracture is a genetic condition where one or more fingers are bent toward the palm. This condition usually doesn’t cause any pain, but it can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks, like shaking hands and brushing your teeth.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping. People with the condition are more sensitive to pain. Discomfort from fibromyalgia may involve tingling, numbness or pain.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are a common type of hand growth that usually affects the wrists but also occurs in the finger joints. These noncancerous sacs of fluid form off of a joint or other surrounding tissues, such as tendons. In some cases, cysts can cause pain where they pinch or rub against surrounding tissues.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
Everyday activities like swiping on a phone, typing, knitting or using hand tools sometimes lead to repetitive stress injuries, which can cause stiffness in addition to pain.
Trauma or Injury
Fractures, sprains and other traumatic injuries—such as falls and sports accidents—can cause short- and long-term pain in the hand and wrists.
Treatment for Hand and Wrist Pain
The cause of your pain and its severity are some of the factors your doctor will consider for your hand and wrist pain treatment.
At-Home Treatment
For pain due to minor hand or wrist injuries, your doctor may recommend wrapping or immobilizing your hand to prevent movement and further damage. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are available without a prescription to alleviate mild-to-moderate discomfort.
Hand Therapy
During hand therapy, a therapist with expertise in hand and wrist pain teaches you exercises that help improve strength, flexibility and range of motion. Hand therapists have a variety of techniques to help treat hand and wrist conditions, and you’ll have multiple sessions to help treat pain.
Steroid Injections
For severe pain and inflammation, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections. These injections reduce pain and swelling caused by conditions like arthritis and de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Surgery
If nonsurgical care cannot relieve your pain or discomfort, your doctor may recommend surgery, followed by hand therapy. Fellowship-trained hand surgeons and hand therapists work together to ensure the highest standard of care while treating your hand or wrist pain.
Preventing Hand and Wrist Injuries
While some causes of hand and wrist pain are unavoidable, you can take these steps to minimize your risk injury:
- If you use a keyboard and type frequently, try to avoid using positions where your elbows and wrists are not overly bent.
- Take frequent breaks to rest and stretch the hands and wrists during activities that require repetitive movements, such as when playing an instrument or typing.
- Use protective gear and proper technique when engaging in sports and other activities that increase your risk of injury.
When to See Your Doctor
Hand and wrist pain often improve with nonsurgical or at-home remedies. Schedule an appointment with a hand specialist if you’ve experienced hand or wrist trauma or notice any of the following symptoms, which could be signs your condition is getting worse:
- Bruising or redness in your hand and wrist
- Difficulty flexing your wrist or moving your fingers
- Hand pain even when you’re not moving your hand
- Numbness and tingling
- Swelling
- Worsening pain
Your hands and wrists are essential to your everyday life. Trauma, repetitive movements and certain medical conditions can threaten the health of your hands and wrists. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent further injury, so talk to a doctor if your wrist hurts or your pain is getting worse.
Find your Summit Orthopedics hand and wrist expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
