Hand Pain

The hand is one of the most amazing parts of your body. The complex organization of your hand involves bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves, skin, and other structures that allow your body to perform a complex variety of activities.

With the ability to perform both delicate movements and aggressive lifting, we ask a lot of our hands. As a result, this complex variety of functions can lead to a complex array of conditions that can cause discomfort in the hands. In fact, many orthopedic specialists dedicate their entire career to helping patients solve complex problems of the hand.

Trying to summarize all of the causes of hand pain in a single resource is an impossible task. However, there are some conditions that cause the vast majority of symptoms of hand pain. Here we will cover some of these more common causes of hand pain, and some of the signs that you may need further help in solving your problem.


Causes

As mentioned, there are many causes of hand pain, but the vast majority of people with discomfort have one of a few specific problems. Some of the more common causes include:
Arthritis

The hand is the most common part of the body to be affected by arthritis. In fact, arthritis should be considered a normal part of the aging process. The vast majority of people over the age of 60 develop findings of hand arthritis.

Hand arthritis is not abnormal, but some people are affected at an earlier age, and some have more severe symptoms. Most people with hand arthritis can find relief with nonsurgical treatments. Often by taking some simple steps, people can control the symptoms of hand arthritis and not require more invasive treatments.

Different types of arthritis can affect the hands. The most common type is osteoarthritis, but the hand is also a common location for rheumatoid arthritis to occur.



Tendinitis/Trigger Finger

Tendon problems are also a common source of hand pain. Tendonitis is a condition where inflammation occurs within or around a tendon. The normally smooth movement of hands and fingers can be affected, causing pain and swelling at the site of the inflammation.

Another common tendon problem occurs when the tendons to the fingers develop a nodular swelling, causing the finger to become stuck as it moves back and forth. When the tendon releases, it causes a snapping sensation known as a trigger finger.
Ligament Injury

Ligament injuries of the hands can occur as a result of trauma to the hand or fingers. The hand has 27 bones that are all connected by an elaborate network of ligaments. These ligaments allow for movement but prevent unstable joints.

Injuries to this network of ligaments can cause problems with simple activities such as bending, gripping, or pinching. Ligament injuries of the hand can take months for healing, and it is not uncommon for people to notice swelling and stiffness for a long time after a hand ligament problem.
Nerve Irritation

Several major nerves provide sensation to the hand, and injury or compression of these nerves will often lead to symptoms of hand pain.

The most common condition is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when there is irritation or damage to the median nerve in the wrist. People with carpal tunnel syndrome will often complain of pain and numbness in specific parts of the hand. Other nerves can also be pinched; carpal tunnel syndrome is not the only nerve problem that causes hand pain. Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is pinched behind the elbow joint.


Fractures

Broken bones in the hand are an obvious source of hand pain. With 27 bones in the hand, there are a lot of different breaks that can occur and many different treatments depending on the specific injury.

Many breaks will heal with simple, nonsurgical treatment. However, any break should be carefully evaluated, as hand function is critical to many activities, and it is important to ensure that your treatment is appropriate. Most hand fractures will show up on a regular X-ray of the hand, but some injuries may require other studies to be seen by your doctor.
Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst can occur anywhere in the body where fluid that is normally contained within a joint or tendon sheath accumulates into a pouch.

Ganglion cysts are common in the hands for two reasons. First, there are a lot of joints and tendon sheaths in the hand where a ganglion cyst can form. Second, people often notice the ganglions in the hands because they are visibly apparent under the skin.

Ganglion cysts cause pain in the hand when the cysts interfere with normal movements of the joints and tendons. There are other types of lumps and bumps that can occur on the hands, and if your bump is not a ganglion cyst, you can investigate some of the other causes of lumps and bumps on the hands.

There are many other less common causes of pain that should be considered if a more common problem is not identified. Your doctor can help determine the exact condition that is causing your symptoms, as this diagnosis will help to guide the most appropriate treatment.