Susan
Symptoms of Hand Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
Oftentimes, we experience hand pain that doesn’t go away. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include injury, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and even Dupuytren’s contracture.
Arthritis
Symptoms of arthritis can include hand pain, tingling, stiffness, and swelling. It can be hard to perform everyday tasks like opening jars and faucets or using the keys on a door.
If you have hand pain, it’s important to consult your doctor. The first step is to make sure that you don’t have a more serious medical condition. X-rays can show signs of cartilage degeneration, damage to bone, or other problems.
Other symptoms may include a rash on the fingers, numbness, or pain in the wrist, elbow, or finger joints. If you think that you may have arthritis, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. However, it is most commonly found in the hands and wrists. There are several types of arthritis that affect the hands, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis can also be caused by infection or dislocation. Depending on the type of arthritis, treatment may involve steroids, medications, injections, or surgery.
If you’ve experienced hand pain in the past, it’s important to talk to your doctor about your risk for arthritis. You can also prevent arthritis by following a healthy lifestyle and taking steps to avoid injury.
Some people with arthritis may also have carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition that causes pain and numbness in the hands. This condition occurs when the median nerve, which is located at the wrist, becomes pressed or compressed.
Inflammatory arthritides are also common in the hands. These conditions usually affect the fingers, and present with joint pain, swelling, and limited motion.
Typically, inflammatory arthritides affect the hand’s middle joint, which is the joint closest to the fingertip. They may also affect the base of the thumb.
Dupuytren’s contracture
Having Dupuytren’s contracture can be debilitating, making it difficult to perform everyday activities. However, it is a disease that can be treated. Some treatment options involve surgery, and some are non-surgical. There are also newer treatment options that can help alleviate pain and improve the motion of the affected fingers.
Dupuytren’s contracture is a genetic disease that affects the ring and little fingers. It is more common in men than women, and it affects people of Northern European ancestry. People who smoke and have diabetes are also at higher risk.
Treatment for Dupuytren’s contracture will depend on the severity of the disease. Some people have a mild form that only involves lumps, and others may need more extensive surgery. Other treatments include physical therapy and injections.
For people with a mild form of Dupuytren’s contracture, stretching can be helpful. It is important to stretch regularly. However, forceful stretching is not helpful, and may actually exacerbate the condition.
The condition may also be associated with other conditions, such as diabetes or Peyronie disease. Treatments for these conditions may also help slow the progression of Dupuytren’s contracture. Some of these treatments include steroid injections, which may help reduce inflammation. Some people also receive radiation therapy to help relieve tenderness.
If the disease is severe, it may require surgery to remove all of the affected tissue. In these cases, skin grafts may be necessary to cover the area.
Non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, splinting, and injections. These treatments can help with pain and swelling, but they are not known to prevent contractures.
Some patients with a mild form of Dupuytren’s have surgery to help them straighten their fingers. In this procedure, an incision is made in the palm of the hand. During this procedure, the cords that pull the fingers toward the palm are cut. In this procedure, the cords are then divided, which increases the motion in the affected finger.
Trigger finger
Symptoms of the trigger finger include pain, stiffness, numbness, and a popping noise when using the affected finger. It occurs when the tendons in your finger become swollen and inflamed.
Your doctor may be able to diagnose a trigger finger by conducting a physical exam and talking to you. The symptoms are generally mild in the early stages. But they become worse as the tendon and pulley system become inflamed.
The finger tendon is a fibrous cord that connects the muscle to the bone. The pulley is a band of tissue that connects the finger bone to the flexor tendon. When the pulley becomes inflamed, the tendons are unable to slide easily through the sheath.
Symptoms of the trigger finger can be mild and go away with rest. However, if the symptoms persist, a healthcare provider may need to intervene.
A corticosteroid injection can be an effective treatment for trigger fingers. These injections are quick and easy. However, some people may require a second or third injection to get relief from their symptoms.
The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling and improve the range of motion in the affected digit. If trigger finger symptoms do not improve, surgical treatment may be recommended.
The trigger finger is most common in people in their 40s and 50s. However, it can affect anyone. It is more common in people with diabetes and autoimmune diseases. It may also be caused by using vibrating tools.
Occupational therapy may be recommended for finger exercises. These exercises may help alleviate the pain associated with the trigger finger. Occupational therapists may also recommend stretches and massages for the affected digits.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, trigger finger surgery can be performed in the operating room or in the doctor’s office. The treatment usually involves removing a part of the constricted tendon.
Stenosing tenosynovitis
Symptoms of stenosing tenosynovitis include pain and locking in flexion. The condition affects the tendons in the thumb and fingers. If left untreated, tenosynovitis can cause long-term damage to the tendons.
Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition of the synovial sheath of a tendon. The condition is common and can be caused by a variety of factors. The condition can be acute or chronic. It can be caused by an infectious process, such as a virus or bacteria, or it can be due to an inflammatory arthropathy. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before engaging in physical activities or using the hand. Depending on the underlying condition, conservative treatments may include rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
A stenosing form of tenosynovitis occurs when the retinaculum thickens, exerting a constricting effect on the tendon. This can lead to intrinsic damage to the tendon, making it difficult for the tendon to function. Depending on the underlying condition, surgical management may be appropriate.
Tenosynovitis of the peroneal tendons can lead to peritendinous effusion fluid and thickening of the synovial sheath. In addition, the condition can be caused by injury or trauma. Other underlying causes include repetitive motion, a swollen peroneal tubercle, and a large peroneal tubercle.
A patient suffering from de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis may feel a “catch” when bending or straightening the finger. As the finger moves, it gets better and the pain subsides. The condition can be difficult to treat, but it usually improves with time. If recurrent triggering occurs, treatment may involve a reduction flexor tenoplasty.
Tenosynovitis can also occur in the hand and is sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Tenosynovitis can cause pain, locking in flexion, and reduced motion. If left untreated, tenosynovitis will affect the tendons in the hand and can cause long-term damage.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can include numbness, burning, or tingling in the palm of your hand or in one or more fingers. The pain can also extend to your arm. The symptoms may start after you use your hand or may occur all the time.
In some cases, your carpal tunnel symptoms can become permanent. If they do, you may need to undergo surgery to release a band of tissue that is pressed on your median nerve. This can be done to alleviate the symptoms.
You can also try some hand exercises. These exercises may be able to reduce the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. However, you need to consult with your doctor before starting these exercises.
Your doctor can also perform sensory tests on your arm to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. These tests will be able to determine whether the symptoms are caused by a disorder or are due to your daily activities.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can appear in any part of the hand, but usually, they appear in the thumb. Symptoms can also occur in the wrist but may be more common in the wrist than in the hand.
There are two main types of carpal tunnel syndrome: stage 1 and stage 2. Patients with stage 1 carpal tunnel experience symptoms while performing repetitive movements. They may also have symptoms while sleeping or during other times of the day.
The symptoms of stage 2 carpal tunnel include numbness, weakness, or pain in your hand during the day. These symptoms may also cause you to drop things.
You can help your symptoms by taking frequent rest breaks. You may also need to adjust your activities at home or at work. You can also talk with your doctor or occupational health nurse about the changes you need to make.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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