Hand pain

Hand pain is a common condition that can arise from various causes, ranging from minor injuries to chronic medical conditions. The hand contains bones, joints, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels, making it highly susceptible to different types of pain. Symptoms may include aching, burning, stiffness, swelling, numbness, or limited mobility depending on the underlying cause.

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Causes of Hand Pain

1. Injuries

   • Sprains, strains, or fractures

   • Cuts, burns, or crush injuries

   • Overuse injuries (repetitive strain injuries such as typing or manual work)

2. Joint and Bone Disorders

   • Osteoarthritis – wear and tear of cartilage causing stiffness and pain

   • Rheumatoid arthritis – autoimmune inflammation affecting joints in both hands

   • Gout – uric acid crystal deposition leading to severe joint pain

   • Carpal tunnel syndrome – compression of the median nerve causing tingling, pain, and numbness

   • Trigger finger – tendon inflammation causing finger locking or pain

   • De Quervain’s tenosynovitis – inflammation of tendons near the thumb causing pain with movement

3. Nerve-Related Causes

   • Peripheral neuropathy (diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, alcohol misuse)

   • Cervical spine problems (nerve compression radiating pain into the hand)

4. Infections

   • Cellulitis, abscesses, or infected wounds of the hand

   • Septic arthritis of hand joints

5. Circulatory and Other Conditions

   • Raynaud’s phenomenon (reduced blood flow leading to pain, numbness, and color changes)

   • Fibromyalgia (widespread musculoskeletal pain including the hands)

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Diagnosis

• Clinical history and examination: identifying pain location, severity, triggers, and associated symptoms

• Imaging: X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI for bone and soft tissue assessment

• Nerve conduction studies: in suspected carpal tunnel syndrome or neuropathy

• Blood tests: for rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection

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Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause but may include:

1. Medications

   • Analgesics: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for pain relief

   • NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, naproxen for inflammation and pain

   • Corticosteroids: Oral or injectable (prednisone, triamcinolone) for severe inflammatory conditions

   • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Methotrexate, sulfasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis

   • Colchicine or allopurinol for gout management

   • Neuropathic pain agents: Gabapentin, pregabalin, or duloxetine in nerve-related pain

2. Non-Pharmacological Management

   • Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) for injuries

   • Splints or braces in carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis

   • Physical therapy and hand-strengthening exercises

   • Occupational therapy for joint protection strategies

3. Surgical Treatment

   • Carpal tunnel release surgery

   • Joint replacement or fusion in severe arthritis

   • Removal of infected tissue (if abscess present)

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Precautions and Lifestyle Measures

• Avoid repetitive hand strain

• Maintain good ergonomics during typing or manual work

• Warm up before physical activity

• Maintain a healthy diet to prevent gout and arthritis progression

• Manage underlying chronic diseases such as diabetes

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When to Seek Medical Help

• Severe hand pain with swelling, redness, or warmth (possible infection)

• Persistent numbness or tingling (nerve compression)

• Sudden inability to move the hand or severe trauma (fracture or tendon injury)

• Chronic pain not improving with home care