Georgios Panagopoulos MD | Orthopaedic Surgeon
Table of contents
Hand pain can significantly affect our daily activities, quality of life and work. The causes vary, but many of them are easily and quickly mitigated with the right treatment approach.
Associated symptoms
Potential symptoms may include:
- Pain & tenderness in the palm and fingers
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion & stiffness
- Numbness & tingling of the fingers
- Weakness & muscle atrophy
Causes
Hand pain may be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Finger arthritis: Osteoarthritis tends to manifest in the DIP joints, whereas rheumatoid arthritis has a predilection for the PIP joints.
- Thumb CMC arthritis: common in professions that require repetitive hand movements, such as hairdressers or dentists.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: median nerve entrapment at the wrist, with finger numbness & tingling.
- Tendonitis: or tenosynovitis - inflammation of the tendons of the hand.
- Hand injuries: finger fractures & dislocations.
- Tendon injuries: flexor & extensor tendon lacerations.
- Trigger finger: One or more fingers catch or lock in flexion.
- Thumb UCL tears: also known as skier's thumb.
- Hand infections: Flexor tenosynovitis, animal or human bites, fight bites, paronychia, etc.
Diagnosis
Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment. The diagnostic approach may include:
- Full history: past medical & surgical history, medications, allergies, etc.
- Detailed clinical exam
- Imaging studies: xrays, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans.
- Nerve conduction studies: EMG/NCS - to assess for nerve entrapment syndromes
Conservative treatment
In most cases, hand pain can be treated with conservative measures. These may include:
- Rest & activity modification
- Physiotherapy & home exercise program
- NSAIDS or other painkillers +/- cortisone injections
- Ice therapy
- Braces or splints, for protection & support
Surgical treatment
Some hand problems may need surgical treatment. Surgery may include:
- Tendon repair: intensive hand therapy is needed after laceration repair to achieve optimal results.
- Nerve decompression: to relieve nerve entrapment in the carpal tunnel or Guyon's canal.
- Arthroplasty or arthrodesis: for arthritis.
- Surgical fixation: for repairing hand fractures.
If you suffer from hand pain, you should seek expert care. Dr Panagopoulos will evaluate your condition and offer appropriate treatment to restore your function and relieve your pain.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common hand symptoms?
– Pain & tenderness in the palm or fingers
– Swelling
– Stiffness
– Numbness & tingling
– Muscle atrophy
What are the most common hand problems?
– Finger arthritis
– Thumb arthritis
– Carpal tunnel syndrome
– Tendonitis
– Finger fractures
– Tendon ruptures
– Trigger finger
– Thumb UCL tear
– Hand infections
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