Hand and Wrist Conditions

Basal thumb arthritis is arthritis of the joint at the base of the thumb.

Symptoms

• Thumb pain when gripping or pinching
• Ache in the thumb, especially during cold and rainy weather

Treatment Options

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Ice and compression on the affected hand
• Splinting at night
• Surgery (CMC arthroplasty)

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by median nerve compression in your hand. This nerve provides sensation to much of the hand, and controls some important movements.

Pressure on the nerve may be the result of a narrow or tight carpal tunnel, and/or inflammation, which can cause swelling. Repetitive motions, like typing on a keyboard, may be associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms

• Numbness and tingling in fingers
• Stiff and swollen fingers
• Hand pain at night
• Clumsy or weak hand grip

Treatment Options

• Splinting the hand at night
• Steroid injections
• Surgery to release the carpal tunnel

Dupuytren's contracture is a thickening of skin in the palm. A gradual condition, Dupuytren's contracture causes the fingers to bend into the palm of the hand, prohibiting full motion or straightening. It commonly affects only the ring and pinky fingers, but may affect any finger.

Symptoms

• Lumps or knots on the palm
• Gradual bending or curling of the fingers
• Difficulty opening up the hand, shaking hands, or putting hand in pocket

Treatment Options

• Cortisone or collagenase injections
• Surgery to remove excess/hardened tissue under the palm for more advanced cases

Fractures of the hand, fingers or wrist are the result of trauma or injury to the bone.

Symptoms

• Pain and swelling in the hand or wrist
• Inability to move affected limb
• Numbness in fingers

Treatment Options

• Splinting
• Hard cast on hand or wrist
• Surgery that may include plates, pins or screws depending on the break

Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear of cartilage, the flexible tissue at the end of your bones. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and can worsen over time if left untreated, causing pain and stiffness.

Symptoms:

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Tenderness
• Grating sensation
• Swelling

Treatment Options:

• Ice and compression
• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Arthroscopy to remove damaged tissue
• Arthroplasty to replace joints

An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in your hand and wrist joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes your body to attack healthy cells, which causes inflammation.

Symptoms:

• Pain or aching in more than one joint
• Stiffness in more than one joint
• Swelling or tenderness in more than one joint.
• Lumps on joints

Treatment Options:

• Physical therapy
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections
• Arthroscopy to remove damaged tissue
• Arthroplasty to replace joints

Tendonitis is inflammation of your tendons, and is a common wrist and finger concern. Tendonitis is often caused by overuse or injury that irritates your tendons. People with diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis experience tendonitis at a higher rate.

Symptoms:

• Grating or grinding when moving the affected area
• Pain, especially throbbing pain
• Swelling

Treatment options:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Ice and compression
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Splinting
• Surgery

Each finger has a tendon sheath that acts as a tunnel for the tendons to glide through. Trigger finger occurs when the tendon cannot glide through the tendon sheath.

When the tendon and/or tendon sheath is inflamed, the tendon has less room to move. This results in the tendon catching on the inflamed area. You will notice difficulty opening or closing your fingers most often with a painful click or snap once they do move.

Symptoms

• Finger stiffness
• Popping or catching
• Bent finger with inability to straighten
• Bump near base of affected finger

Treatment Options

• Steroid injections
• Splinting at night
• Surgery for more advanced cases

A sprained wrist—a common sports injury or injury that occurs when falling—means the ligaments in your wrist has stretched or torn.

Symptoms:

• Swelling
• Pain with movement
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Popping sensation

Treatment options:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Splints or elastic bandages
• Physical therapy