Hand Pain

HAND PAIN and FINGER PAIN

Hand pain refers to any discomfort, aching, or tenderness experienced in the hands, wrists, fingers, or palms. Hand pain is a common complaint that can significantly impact daily activities, making simple tasks like typing, writing, or even gripping objects challenging. The hands are complex structures with tendons, ligaments, nerves, and muscles, which are susceptible to injuries and conditions that lead to pain and discomfort.

Let’s focus on some of the most common causes of hand pain, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Guyon’s Canal Syndrome, Trigger Finger, Osteoarthritis, and Inflammatory Arthritis, as well as effective non-surgical treatments that can help you regain hand function. At Mitigate Pain Clinic, we offer interventional pain management designed to target the root causes of hand pain and help to recover without resorting to surgery.

Common Symptoms of Hand Pain

Pain, tingling, or numbness in the fingers, hand, or wrist
Weakness or inability to grip objects
Swelling or stiffness in the joints
Limited range of motion in the fingers or wrist
Pain that worsens with movement or repetitive activities

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequent causes of hand pain, caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.

Symptoms of CTS include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, especially at night or after repetitive activities like typing or using a mouse.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Repetitive hand movements
Pregnancy-related swelling
Underlying health conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders
Wrist injuries or fractures

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

Wrist Splinting: Wearing a wrist splint at night can keep the wrist in a neutral position, reducing pressure on the median nerve.
Physical Therapy: Electro-physiotherapy and exercises can improve flexibility and reduce strain on the median nerve.
Activity Modification: Reducing repetitive motions or adjusting hand positions during tasks to alleviate pressure on the wrist.
Medications: Medications like NSAIDs, anticonvulsants and antidepressants are useful to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Interventional Pain Management: Various interventional pain treatments can be useful for carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nerve block
- Hydrodissection
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy
Ergonomic Adjustments: Adjusting workstations and tools to reduce wrist strain and improve posture during tasks.

Guyon’s Canal Syndrome

Guyon’s Canal Syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed as it passes through Guyon’s canal at the wrist. This condition can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the little finger and ring finger. It is often seen in individuals who engage in activities that put pressure on the wrist, such as cycling or using heavy machinery.

Causes of Guyon’s Canal Syndrome:

Repetitive pressure on the wrist or palm
Wrist fractures
Anatomical anomalies or abnormalities in the Guyon’s canal
Overuse of the hand or wrist

Treatments for Guyon’s Canal Syndrome:

Wrist Splinting: Wearing a wrist splint at night can keep the wrist in a neutral position, reducing pressure on the median nerve.
Physical Therapy: Electro-physiotherapy and exercises can improve flexibility and reduce strain on the median nerve.
Activity Modification: Reducing repetitive motions or adjusting hand positions during tasks to alleviate pressure on the wrist.
Medications: Medications like NSAIDs, anticonvulsants and antidepressants are useful to treat carpal tunnel syndrome.
Interventional Pain Management: Various interventional pain treatments can be useful for carpal tunnel syndrome
- Nerve block
- Hydrodissection
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy
Ergonomic Adjustments: Adjusting workstations and tools to reduce wrist strain and improve posture during tasks.

Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger is a condition in which one of the fingers gets stuck in a bent position and then suddenly straightens with a “snap” or “pop.”

This occurs when the tendons in the fingers become inflamed, preventing smooth movement. It is commonly caused by repetitive gripping activities or underlying inflammatory conditions.

Causes of Trigger Finger:

Repetitive gripping motions
Injury or trauma to the hand
Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes

Treatments for Trigger Finger:

Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding repetitive gripping or forceful hand movements that aggravate the condition, allowing the tendon to heal.
Splinting: Wearing a splint to keep the affected finger in a straightened position, particularly at night, to prevent locking and promote tendon healing.
Stretching Exercises: Gentle finger exercises and stretches can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness in the tendon sheath.
Massage Therapy: Gently massaging the affected finger may improve circulation, reduce stiffness, and alleviate pain.
Medications: Medications like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation in the affected finger.
Interventional Treatments: Advanced treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or Growth Factor Concentrate (GFC) injections to promote tendon healing and reduce inflammation.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a painful condition that affects the tendons located on the thumb side of the wrist. It occurs when the tendons become irritated or inflamed, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the thumb. This condition is often seen in individuals who perform repetitive motions involving the wrist and thumb, such as lifting or gripping.

Causes of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis:

Repetitive wrist or thumb movements (e.g., texting, lifting, gardening)
Direct injury to the wrist or thumb
Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis

Treatments for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis:

Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding repetitive thumb or wrist movements that trigger pain, allowing the tendons to heal and reduce inflammation.

Splinting: Wearing a thumb splint (thumb spica) to immobilize the thumb and wrist, helping to reduce tendon strain and promote healing.

Stretching Exercises: Gentle exercises to stretch and strengthen the thumb and wrist can improve flexibility and reduce stiffness caused by inflammation.

Medications: Medications like NSAIDs and opioids can help reduce pain and swelling in the affected area.

Interventional Treatments: In cases of persistent pain, advanced treatments like corticosteroid injections or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or Growth factor Concentrate (GFC) therapy may be used to reduce inflammation and promote tendon healing.

How to Prevent Hand Pain

Preventing hand pain involves adopting healthy habits and making lifestyle adjustments. Here are some strategies to help prevent discomfort:

Ergonomics and Proper Posture: Ensure that your workspace is ergonomically friendly, and take breaks from repetitive activities to reduce strain on your hands and wrists.

Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Regularly perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your hands and wrists and improve flexibility.

Regular Breaks from Repetitive Tasks: Take frequent breaks from activities that involve repetitive hand movements, such as typing, to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Hand Pain

If hand pain persists despite at-home treatments or is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or difficulty moving your fingers, it’s important to seek medical attention. A specialist can evaluate your symptoms, diagnose the underlying cause, and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Conclusion

Hand pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis, and more. While surgery is sometimes necessary, many non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, injections, and interventional pain management, can provide significant relief. At Mitigate Pain Clinic, we specialize in interventional treatments designed to help you manage hand pain and restore function, so you can get back to your daily activities without discomfort.

FAQs About Hand Pain

Hand pain can result from several conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, osteoarthritis, Guyon’s canal syndrome, and inflammatory arthritis. Each condition affects different parts of the hand, causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, particularly in the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Pain and discomfort often worsen at night or during repetitive hand activities. Treatment options include activity modification, wrist splinting, physical therapy and sonography guided injection.

Non-surgical treatments for Trigger Finger include resting the finger, splinting, physical therapy exercises, and corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. These treatments help restore smooth tendon movement without surgery.

Guyon’s Canal Syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve in the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the ring and pinky fingers. Treatment options include activity modification, wrist splinting, physical therapy and sonography guided injection.

Yes, osteoarthritis in the hand can be managed with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, splinting, medications, and sonography guided interventions. These treatments aim to reduce pain, improve joint function, and slow the progression of arthritis.

You should see a doctor if your hand pain persists for more than a few weeks, if you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness, or if the pain interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the condition from worsening.