Hand and wrist pain.

Arthritis is a common cause of hand and wrist pain, especially as we age. There are several types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most frequent culprits. Arthritis can make everyday tasks difficult and painful — like gripping, turning knobs, or typing. Symptoms often include joint stiffness, swelling, and reduced flexibility.

Capral tunnel syndrome is a well-known cause of hand and wrist pain. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs through your wrist, gets pinched or compressed. This can lead to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand, particularly in your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. It's often linked to repetitive motions, like typing or using a mouse, but can also be caused by injury or other health issues.

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve, which runs along the inside of your elbow, gets compressed. This can lead to pain, tingling, or numbness in your hand, especially in the ring and pinky fingers. It's often caused by pressure on your elbow, possibly from resting on hard surfaces or keeping your arm bent for extended periods of time. You may develop this condition if you often sleep with your arm in a bent position or do activities that put pressure on your elbow.

De Quervian's tendonitis affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. It happens when the tendons that conrol your thumb become irritated or inflamed, usually due to repetitive motions like gripping or twisting. This condition is often seen in people who frequently text, garden, or lift heavy objects. You'll typically experience pain at the base of the thumb, along with swelling and maintaining your grip.

Dupuytren's contracture is a condition where the tissue under the skin in your palm thickens and forms lumps or cords. Over time, this thickening causes your fingers to bend inward, making it harder to straighten them. Symptoms usually develop slowly, starting with small lumps and eventually leading to the fingers becoming permanently bent.

Fractures are common in the hand and wrist, especially after falls or accidents. Symptoms usually include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected area. The most common types of fractures include scaphoid fractures, metacarpal fractures (often from punching something), and distal radius fractures. In most causes, fractures can be treated with a cast, or in more serious cases, surgery to realign the bones.

A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that can appear on your wrist or hand. These cysts are typically noncancerous and can vary in size. Sometimes they don't cause any pain, but they can be uncomfortable, especially if they press on nearby nerves or interfere with movement. Ganglion cysts can appear out of nowhere and sometimes disappear on their own, though they may need treatment if they're painful or persistent.

Repetitive stress injuries occur from overuse of your hand or wrist, which leads to strain on the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. These injuries develop over time, especially if you perform repetitive tasks like typing, assembly line work, or playing certain musical instruments. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and reduced movement. The best way to prevent or treat repetitive stress injuries is through ergonomic adjustments, taking breaks, and using physical therapy to straighten and strength the affected muscles.

Trigger finger happens when one of your fingers or thumbs gets stuck in a bent position and then suddenly pops straight. This happens because the tendons in your finger become inflamed or thickened, which causes them to catch in the tendon sheath. This condition is common in people who do a lot of repetitive gripping, but it can also happen due to other conditions like arthritis or diabetes.

Traumatic injuries to your hand or wrist can be caused by accidents, falls, or impact during sports. These injuries can include fractures, sprains, dislocations, or damage to the soft tissues. You may notice immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and a limited range of motion. Treatment often involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.), and more severe injuries may require surgery to fix fractures or repair torn ligaments.

Physical therapy is often a good choice for initial treatment of hand and wrist conditions. A therapist can guide you through exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, especially for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger.

Wearing a splint or brace may help reduce pressure on your tendons or nerves and immobilize the affected area. 

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to releive more severe inflammation.

Modifying your daily activities, using ergonomic equipment, and taking frequent breaks can prevent or reduce pain. Small changes like adjusting your workstation setup or practicing better posture can make a big difference.

For severe carpal tunel syndrome, surgery may be needed to relieve pressure on the median nerve. This involves cutting the ligament that's pressing on the nerve, which helps restore function and relieve pain.

In some cases, surgery is needed to remove or release thickened tissue causing the fingers to bend. This can help straighten the fingers and improve hand function.

If a ganglion cyst is painful or limits hand movement, it can be surgically removed. This procedure usually involves a small incision to drain or remove the cyst.

For trigger finger, surgery can release the tendon sheath and allow the finger to move freely. This is usually a quick, minimally invasive procedure.