Hand Pain

Hand pain is characterized by distress in the joints and tissues of the hand or fingers. Hand pain can be depicted as pulsating, aching, increased warmth, prickling, irritation and inflexibility. The hand is composed of nerves, bones, blood vessels, muscles, tendons and skin. Each part has its specific function, such as nerves transfer sensation, joints control movements, blood vessels maintain circulation, muscles provide motion, tendons anchor the muscles to the bones and skin receives sensations.

Injury or inflammation of any of these structures, due to a disorder or disease condition, may produce hand pain. Even compression of the nerves supplying these structures may cause hand pain.

What are the Causes of Hand Pain?

The conditions and disorders that frequently play a role in hand pain are:

• Accidental injury and trauma
• Serious infections in the blood (Septicemia)
• Fracture of the hand bones
• Nerve compression
• Conditions such as tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome
• Strains in muscles and ligaments
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Suffering from diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
• Tedious lifting, twisting or gripping
• Long-term use of keyboards

What are the Treatment Options?

Hand pain can be treated normally by resting the hand, medications, bracing, heat or ice application, compression, stretching and strengthening exercises, and by treating the underlying cause or condition. Additionally, several ultrasound guided, or fluoroscopy guided injections may help alleviate the pain.