Hand and wrist pain are common and can affect people at any age. The pain may show up as stiffness, numbness, swelling or sharp aches. Knowing the cause helps you choose the right treatment and get back to your daily activities.
What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain?
Pain can come from various conditions, each affecting the structures within the hand differently. Some common causes include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in your wrist where the median nerve passes. Swelling in this space can compress the nerve. Symptoms of carpal tunnel may include numbness, tingling (“pins and needles”), pain that may wake you from sleep, and weakness or dropping objects.
Arthritis
Arthritis, including osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, can inflame the joints of the hand, leading to pain, stiffness and swelling. Morning stiffness is common with inflammatory arthritis.
Repetitive Strain
Repeated activities like typing, assembly work, or heavy tool use can irritate tendons and soft tissues, causing pain and swelling.
Injuries
Sprains, fractures, and tendon or ligament injuries can cause sudden pain, swelling, and bruising. These often need prompt evaluation.
Symptoms of Hand Pain and What They Can Mean
- Numbness or tingling: Often nerve-related (such as carpal tunnel)
- Stiffness: Frequent with arthritis or after periods of rest
- Swelling, warmth or redness: Points to inflammation or sometimes infection
- Sharp, localized pain: May suggest an injury like a sprain or fracture
When to Seek Medical Advice
Call your healthcare provider if you have:
- Pain that lasts more than a couple of weeks or is getting worse
- Significant swelling, bruising or deformity
- Numbness, weakness or dropping objects
- Signs of infection (fever, warmth, redness, drainage)
- A recent injury with severe pain or inability to move the hand or fingers
- Difficulty sleeping or performing activities of daily living
Treatment Options for Hand Pain
Nonsurgical Treatments
Most causes of hand pain improve with nonsurgical care, including:
- Activity changes and rest: Take breaks from repetitive tasks. Modify or pause activities that trigger symptoms.
- Splints or braces: Night splints for carpal tunnel; short-term immobilization for sprains or tendon irritation.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories may help. Use as directed and talk to your clinician if you have stomach, kidney or heart conditions.
- Hand therapy: Targeted exercises, stretches, nerve and tendon glides, and ergonomics education can reduce pain and improve function.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide temporary relief for some conditions, such as carpal tunnel or trigger finger.
Surgical Treatments
If symptoms persist or there is nerve or tendon damage, surgery may be recommended:
- Carpal tunnel release: Relieves pressure on the median nerve.
- Tendon procedures: Repair or release for tears, chronic irritation or trigger finger.
- Arthritis surgery: There are several successful surgeries for treating arthritis pain in the hand and wrist.
Complimentary Approaches
- Acupuncture, heat/cold therapy and gentle massage may all be helpful in some people.
Living with and Managing Hand Pain
Simple daily changes can make a big difference:
- Ergonomics (adjusting your working environment): Keep your wrists in a neutral position when typing and use a supportive mouse or keyboard setup. Adjust your chair and desk height as needed.
- Take breaks: Short, frequent breaks during repetitive tasks can prevent flare-ups.
- Stretch and strengthen: Gentle range-of-motion exercises, tendon and nerve glides, and hand-strengthening (once pain calms) support recovery.
- Protect your joints: Use larger joints for heavy tasks, split loads between both hands and use tools with larger, cushioned and wider grips.
Related Conditions to Know
- Rheumatoid arthritis: A condition that can cause swelling, pain and deformities over time. Early treatment helps protect joints.
- Trigger finger: A finger catches or locks when bending due to tendon irritation. Splinting, injections or minor surgery can help.
- Diabetes, pregnancy, thyroid disease: These conditions can all contribute to hand and wrist problems.
FAQs: Navigating Hand Pain
Why do my hands/wrist hurt for no clear reason?
Overuse, early arthritis, tendinitis or nerve irritation can cause pain even without a single injury. If it persists, get evaluated.
How can I stop hand/wrist pain at home?
Rest, brief use of a wrist splint, ice or heat, gentle stretches and over-the-counter pain relievers may help. See a clinician if symptoms don’t improve in 1-2 weeks.
Can dehydration cause hand pain?
Dehydration may contribute to muscle cramps, gout attacks and hyperglycemia in diabetes. Dehydration can also lead to fluid retention and swelling.
Is hand pain related to diabetes?
Yes. Diabetes can affect nerves (neuropathy) and tendons, increasing the risk of carpal tunnel and trigger finger.
What are the first signs of finger arthritis?
Joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling and decreased grip strength. If you have these symptoms, see a clinician to get evaluated.
Hand and wrist pain, whether mild or severe, can significantly impact daily life. Understanding its causes and seeking timely treatment is crucial for relief and improving quality of life. For persistent or severe symptoms, consult a specialist at University Hand Center of Stony Brook Orthopaedic Associates for comprehensive care and targeted interventions. Give us a call at (631) 444-4233.
By staying informed and proactive, individuals dealing with hand pain can explore effective treatments and make necessary lifestyle adaptations to manage their condition better.
