1. Rule Out Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A band of tissue surrounds your wrist, and the carpal tunnel is sandwiched between that tissue and your wrist bone, protecting the median nerve. When you move the hands and wrists repetitively, as you do when typing or swinging a tennis racquet, you can cause inflammation in your wrist tissue that begins to push on the carpal tunnel. Pressure is put on the median nerve, resulting in numbness and shooting pain in the wrist, forearm and hand.
Your doctor should be able to diagnose your carpal tunnel syndrome through a brief physical exam and electrodiagnostic testing. Depending on the severity of the condition, your treatment may include steroid shots, wearing a splint or having the carpal tunnel surgically repaired. These options should help relieve the debilitating hand pain you may be experiencing, and you'll probably be able to return to your daily routine within several weeks.
2. Consult a Specialist About De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
If your hand pain is occurring at the base of the thumb, you should be evaluated for De Quervain's tenosynovitis. This condition occurs when the sheath surrounding your thumb tendons becomes irritated or inflamed. It may be caused by repetitive movements, though some people complain that it begins hurting for no reason at all. Some physicians believe that constantly bending the wrist backward while holding heavy objects may contribute to the condition as well. In addition to the pain that comes with De Quervain's syndrome, your grip may also become weak and you may have swelling at the thumb's base. To treat this condition, your physician may recommend modifying current lifting activities, splinting the affected hand, icing the area and taking anti-inflammatories and non-narcotic pain medications.
3. Undergo an Arthritis Evaluation
If you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, it may severely affect your hands. Osteoarthritis--the breakdown of cartilage cushion and joint lubrication--causes eventual bone-on-bone contact at the joints. Osteoarthritis causes pain when joints are used or weight is placed on the limbs. Your doctor may recommend the application of moist heat, along with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, to ease the pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes the joints to become chronically inflamed. The condition can go into remission, but it can also cause functional impairment as it worsens over time. If you develop rheumatoid arthritis, you'll probably have pain and swelling at multiple joints in your body, including the hands. This form of arthritis commonly occurs in the wrist and finger knuckles. Anti-inflammatories, steroid injections and oral steroids may be helpful, and it's important to see a hand therapist for exercises that can improve your hand mobility.
4. Look for Ganglion Cysts
A ganglion cyst is a small, tumor-like growth that occurs on top of a joint. If you notice a spongy or hardened lump on the top of your wrist or on the back of your hand, have an evaluation for this condition. While you don't need emergency treatment, your doctor can draw the fluid out of the growth by inserting a small needle. You may also require a steroid injection to reduce the swelling, especially if you're experiencing severe pain at the cyst site. While the cysts can be annoying, they are harmless. Some will even disappear on their own.
