Hand and wrist pain can result from traumatic injury, overuse or degenerative conditions, such as arthritis. Click a link below to learn more about common wrist and hand disorders and causes of hand and wrist pain.

Amputation

Arthritis

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Contracture

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Fractures

Ganglion cysts

Growth plate injuries

Nerve injuries

Osteoarthritis

Spasticity

Sprains/strains

Tendonitis

Tennis elbow

Trigger finger

Amputation occurs when a finger, hand, foot or leg becomes detached from the rest of your body. These injuries usually occur as a result of a traumatic event such as a car accident or industrial machinery mishap. Skilled surgeons can sometimes re-attach severed body parts using microsurgery to reconnect nerves, blood supplies and other structures within the appendage.

Arthritis is the wearing away of the protective tissue layer that covers the bone ends inside joints. This layer acts as a shock absorber. As it wears, the joint becomes achy, swollen and eventually deformed. Arthritis can occur at any age after an injury to a joint.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a potentially disabling wrist disorder caused by a compressed nerve or increased pressure on the wrist. Any medical condition that causes swelling of the tissues in the carpal tunnel (a narrow passageway running from the palm of the hand to forearm) such as thyroid problems, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with overuse of the wrist. This can occur from performing repetitive hand motions, such as those performed by computer users, cashiers, assembly-line workers, sewing machine operators and musicians. Symptoms include numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, long and sometimes ring fingers; trouble grasping or dropping objects; weakness in the hand; discomfort or pain that occurs frequently at night or early in the morning, which starts in the hand and can radiate all the way to the shoulder. Click here for tips on preventing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Contracture is painful deformity of a joint resulting from continued muscle shortening (spasticity). When a muscle is not regularly put through its full range of motion, its tendons shorten. This makes stretching the muscle even more difficult, setting up a cycle of even more shortening and decreased stretch. The muscle may develop fibrous scar tissue, further preventing full range of motion.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the ulnar nerve that crosses your elbow through a passage called the cubital tunnel. The symptoms are very similar to the pain that comes from hitting your funny bone. Causes include trauma to the elbow, frequent bending, constant use of the elbow and constant direct pressure on the elbow.

Fractures are breaks in bones. Broken bones can result from falls, accidents or traumatic injuries. Severe breaks may require surgery to repair. However, most fractures are treated by immobilizing broken bones in casts or splints until they have grown back together.

Ganglion cysts are hard, bony-feeling lumps under the skin that can occur on the back of the wrist, the palm side of the wrist or on a finger joint. These non-cancerous bumps occur when a sac beneath your skin fills with jelly-like fluid that will not drain. Sometimes this is caused when linings of tendons or joints poke a tear in the ligaments covering them. If the cysts aren’t causing any pain or discomfort, they usually won’t require treatment. In many cases, they will eventually go away on their own. Ganglion cysts can be treated by draining them with a needle (aspiration) or by surgical removal.

Growth plate injuries are essentially fractures that occur in children and teens. A growth plate is an area of growing tissue at the ends of long bones such as arms and legs. The plates determine the future length and shape of mature bones; they close during adolescence to form permanent bone. About half of all growth plate injuries affect the outer bone of the forearm at the wrist. Growth plate injuries are usually caused by a fall or blow to a limb, however, overuse (a young pitcher continually practicing his fastball) can cause chronic problems. These injuries are treated with a combination of methods that may include casting, surgery and exercise or physical therapy.

Nerve injuries are usually the result of compression, overstretching or trauma. Nerves send messages from parts of the body to the brain and from the brain to parts of the body. Motor nerves send messages about movement, while sensory nerves send messages about pressure, pain and temperature. Injured nerves can stop sending or receiving messages and can become hypersensitive to pain. Hand surgeons can repair injured nerves by stitching them back together.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis (Osteo is Greek for bone; arthritis means joint inflammation.) Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inevitable part of aging and can affect any joint. It usualy develops after age 45; about half of men and women over age 65 have it to some degree. OA is caused in part by wear and tear on a joint over time. It develops as cartilage – smooth tissue that cushions bones and keeps them from rubbing against each other – breaks down. This leads to joints becoming painful, warm to the touch, reddened and swollen. When the cushioning system of the joint is lost, the bones may grind painfully against each other. The joint can begin to stiffen, and movment is impaired. OA typically strikes the weight-bearing joints (knees, hips, back, feet); hands; and spine. The knee is the most commonly affected joint.

Spasticity is involuntary, jerky movement of muscles that remain abnormally contracted (shortened or flexed) for long periods of time. It is a common aftereffect of neurological disease and brain or spinal cord injury. Symptoms of spasticity can range from slight muscle stiffness to deformity and permanent muscle shortening (contracture). Clonus (rapid, repetitive muscle spasm) is also possible. Spasticity can be painful, especially if it pulls joints into abnormal positions or prevents normal range of motion. Spasticity can interfere with your ability to dress, eat and do many of the activities of daily living. Treatments may include physical therapy, muscle-relaxing medications, splinting or surgery.

Sprains/strains are two different injuries, although both are the result of forcing a joint past its normal range of motion. Sprains occur when ligaments that connect bone to bone are overstretched, resulting in swelling, pain and even bruising. Jammed fingers, twisted knees, and twisted ankles are common examples of sprains. Strains, also called muscle pulls, refer to an overstretching of a muscle or tendon that causes the muscle to actually tear. Strains usually occur when a muscle is stretched too fast.

Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are the thick fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. They transmit the power generated by a muscle contraction to move bones. Tendonitis is usually temporary and occurs mainly as result of overuse.

Tennis elbow is inflammation of the muscles of the forearm, or of forearm tendons. Commonly experienced by tennis players, it can be caused by overuse or a constant pull of the lower arm muscles.

Trigger finger is a condition in which the sheath surrounding tendons in your finger become swollen. Symptoms include pain, swelling, popping and a catching feeling in the finger or thumb. The finger sometimes becomes locked in one position and is difficult to bend or straighten. Trigger finger can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, gout and diabetes.

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by James S. Raphael, MD.