Hand pain can result from a lot of factors such as accidents, injuries and arthritis. Pain can originate anywhere in the hand such as in the bones, joints, connective tissues, tendons and nerves.
Hand pain may be due to several conditions such as inflammation, nerve damage, repetitive motion injuries, sprains and fractures and even long term health problems.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: Tingling and numbness in the thumb-side of the hand and fingers
Sprain and strain, osteoarthritis or tendonitis: Pain, tenderness and swelling in the wrist or thumb
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) or tendonitis: Throbbing, tingling, numbness or cramp in the wrists and hands
Osteoarthritis: Swelling and stiffness in the joints of the wrist, hand or near the finger nails
Rheumatoid arthritis: Stiffness, warmth and swelling – especially early in the morning – in the joints of the knuckles, wrists or fingers
Ganglion: A soft round lump or swelling at the back of the wrist or between the fingers
Tendonitis or arthritis: Pain moving your thumb, and swelling and creaking near the base of your thumb
DIAGNOSIS
The doctor will obtain a medical history from you and may do physical exam. An x-ray of the hand may be requested. Blood tests may be done to look for infections or inflammations.
MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT
Hand pain may be treated by the following:
Splinting: This is to immobilize the hand, fingers or wrist
Injections: Injections of corticosteroids may be given in the joints to reduce inflammation
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: This blocks pain enzymes and decreases pain and swelling
Heat and cold: This can loosen stiffness in the hands
Hand exercises: This can stretch and strengthen your muscles.
Other treatments: Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, gout medications, biologic response modifiers, osteoporosis medications.
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