Hand pain can have a major impact on day-to-day life, making many everyday tasks nearly impossible if pain becomes too overwhelming. Because hand pain doesn't just stem from a single cause, it may sometimes be difficult to figure out the reason behind the ache and treat it appropriately.
Causes
Hand pain may indicate many different disorders or injuries, but one of the most common is the inflammatory joint disease arthritis, according to Ohio State University Medical Center.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs when the nerve in the wrist becomes damaged due to repetitive motion, is another potential cause of hand pain.
Fluid-filled bubbles under the skin of the hand and wrist called ganglion cysts may also cause hand pain.
Tendinitis and tenosynovitis, the inflammation of tendons or the material surrounding tendons, can affect the hands or wrist as well.
Fractures, torn ligaments and tendon tears may be possible causes if the hand has experienced physical trauma.
Parts Affected
The specific areas of the hand that are affected by hand pain may vary with the source of the pain. In carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, most of the pain is in the wrist, with some pain being felt arcing up to the fingers.
Arthritis, tendinitis and tenosynovitis affect areas where joints and tendons occur, such as the fingers and wrist. With arthritis, the hand is typically not the only area affected, while most other causes of hand pain are limited to the hand alone.
Diagnosis
When a patient shows up reporting hand pain, the doctor will typically try to determine the cause by looking at the specific location of the pain and questioning the person about when it began, what activity makes it worse and how debilitating the pain is.
The doctor will also want to know about any recent injuries that may be affecting the hand. These may include common household accidents or bumps and hits taken when playing recreational sports.
Treatment
If hand pain is mild and use of the hand is not compromised, self-care may be an option. Ice should be applied to the painful area and the affected individual should stop using the hand for a while. Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications can be used.
If pain doesn't go away within 24 hours, contact a doctor for evaluation and further treatment. Depending on the cause, he may use corticosteroid injections, splinting, physical therapy or surgery to relieve the pain.
Prevention
To prevent hand pain, it's important to avoid the things that can cause it. Using the correct wrist and hand position when working with the hands is essential, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
It's a good idea to limit repetitive motions of the hand and wrist whenever possible. When doing things like working on a computer, playing a musical instrument or playing video games, it's important to take frequent breaks to stretch and relax the wrists and hands.
