Hand pain is a common symptom that can result from a wide range of injuries, medical conditions, and disorders affecting the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or muscles. The pain may affect the fingers, base of the fingers, palm, wrist, or back of the hand.
Depending on the underlying cause, hand pain can interfere with everyday activities such as gripping objects, making a fist, opening a bottle, typing, or turning a key. The discomfort may be sharp, dull, burning, intermittent, constant, or deep.
If hand pain persists, becomes severe, or is accompanied by numbness, swelling, weakness, or loss of movement, medical evaluation is important. The NHS guide to hand pain also recommends seeking medical advice when pain does not improve or interferes with normal activities.
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Table of Contents
What Causes Hand Pain?
Hand pain can develop because of an injury or a condition affecting one or more structures within the hand and wrist. Common causes include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
- Ganglion or synovial cysts
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Trigger finger
- Bone fractures
- Tendon and ligament injuries
Some conditions affect one hand, while others may cause symptoms in both hands.
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This condition can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and fingers.
Symptoms often develop gradually and may become more noticeable at night. Some people experience difficulty gripping objects or weakness in the thumb.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can be associated with repetitive wrist movements, prolonged gripping, previous wrist injuries, arthritis, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions. Diagnosis is generally based on symptoms and a physical examination, although nerve conduction studies or imaging may sometimes be recommended.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to inflammation or degeneration affecting one or more joints. Several forms of arthritis can cause hand pain, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being two important examples.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis associated with gradual deterioration of cartilage within the joints. When it affects the hands, it may cause pain and stiffness in the thumb, fingers, or wrist.
Osteoarthritis of the fingers can affect the proximal interphalangeal joints, where Bouchard’s nodes may develop, or the distal interphalangeal joints, where Heberden’s nodes can occur.
Other symptoms may include swelling, stiffness, tenderness, and reduced movement.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints. It can produce aching or throbbing pain in the hands, often accompanied by swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Symptoms may be particularly noticeable in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Because rheumatoid arthritis can progressively affect joints, early medical assessment is important.
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Ganglion and Synovial Cysts of the Hand
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled lumps that commonly develop near joints or tendons. They can occur around the wrist and may also appear on the palm, back of the hand, or fingers.
The cysts vary considerably in size. Some may be as small as a pea, while others can become more prominent.
Ganglion cysts are not always painful. However, discomfort may occur if a cyst presses against a nearby nerve or interferes with movement.
A smooth lump on the wrist or hand accompanied by pain or restricted movement should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than self-diagnosed.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition involving irritation and inflammation of the tendon sheaths located on the thumb side of the wrist.
It affects the tendons responsible for moving the thumb and is often associated with repetitive hand or wrist movements. Repeated gripping, lifting, or other activities that place stress on the thumb can aggravate symptoms.
The pain is typically felt along the outer side of the wrist and near the base of the thumb. It may become worse when gripping objects, moving the thumb, or bending the wrist.
Other symptoms can include swelling, tenderness, and pain extending toward the forearm.
What Does Tenosynovitis Mean?
The term tenosynovitis describes inflammation or irritation of the synovial sheath surrounding a tendon.
These protective sheaths help tendons move smoothly while reducing friction. When the sheath becomes irritated or swollen, normal tendon movement can become painful.
The word stenosing refers to narrowing. In stenosing tenosynovitis, the space around a tendon becomes restricted, making smooth tendon movement more difficult.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, occurs when the tendon responsible for bending a finger or thumb cannot move smoothly through its surrounding sheath.
A person with trigger finger may notice that the affected finger becomes temporarily stuck in a bent position before suddenly straightening with a clicking or snapping sensation.
The condition commonly affects the thumb, middle finger, or ring finger and may occur in one or several fingers. It can also affect both hands.
Risk factors may include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, previous hand injury, and repetitive hand use.
Pain is commonly felt in the palm near the base of the affected finger. Stiffness, tenderness, and a small lump near the base of the finger may also occur. The NHS information on trigger finger provides additional guidance on symptoms and treatment.
Bone Fractures of the Hand
A hand fracture occurs when one or more of the bones in the hand break, usually as a result of trauma such as a fall, impact, or crushing injury.
The human hand contains 27 bones divided into three groups: the carpal bones, metacarpal bones, and phalanges.
Fractures can range from simple breaks to more complicated or multiple fractures.
Pain caused by a fracture is often intense and localized around the injured area. Other symptoms can include swelling, bruising, stiffness, deformity, and difficulty moving the fingers or hand.
If a fracture is suspected, prompt medical assessment is important. Severe pain, significant swelling, deformity, loss of sensation, or an inability to move the hand should not be ignored.
Lifestyle Factors and Hand Health
Although many causes of hand pain require specific medical treatment, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can support overall well-being.
A balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods is one part of a healthy lifestyle. You can read more about dietary variety in our article on eating the same food all the time.
It is also worth being mindful of highly processed foods and overall dietary habits. Our guide to abnormal global dietary trends explores some of the broader changes in modern eating patterns.
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Diagnosis of Hand Pain
Finding the exact cause of hand pain begins with a medical history and physical examination. A healthcare professional may ask when the pain started, what activities make it worse, whether there has been an injury, and whether symptoms such as numbness, swelling, stiffness, or weakness are present.
Depending on the suspected cause, additional tests may include:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nerve conduction studies
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Other specialized investigations
The appropriate test depends on the symptoms and suspected condition.
Accurate diagnosis is important because treatment varies significantly between conditions. For example, nerve compression, arthritis, tendon disorders, and fractures require different approaches.
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When Should You See a Doctor?
Occasional mild hand discomfort may improve with rest and avoiding activities that aggravate the symptoms. However, persistent or worsening pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Seek medical attention promptly if hand pain is accompanied by severe swelling, significant deformity, loss of sensation, weakness, inability to move the hand or fingers, or an injury that may have caused a fracture.
Hand pain can have many different causes, so identifying the underlying condition is the first step toward choosing the appropriate treatment.