Hand and Wrist Care

Common Hand and Wrist Conditions Explained

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In most cases, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by swelling that puts pressure on the median nerve in the wrist. This condition causes pain and weakness (often worse at night), a feeling of swelling or fuzziness in the fingers, difficulty pinching, pain, and dropping objects. Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated non-surgically with NSAIDs, steroid injections, and splinting, but surgery may be necessary to achieve relief for some patients.²

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger (or thumb) occurs when the lining of the flexor tendons responsible for bending the fingers becomes thicker, the tendons are enlarged, or the soft tissue that covers the tendon or lining becomes compressed. Trigger finger can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, loss of motion, or abnormal movement or locking of the finger or thumb. Non-surgical treatment includes NSAIDs, steroid injections, splinting, and physical therapy, though surgery is needed in some cases.³

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by stretching of the ulnar nerve (the nerve in the “funny bone”). This can cause tingling or numbness in the last two fingers, forearm pain, and hand weakness. The first line of treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome is to avoid actions that lead to symptoms. Splinting can also help. Surgery is needed to alleviate nerve pressure in some cases.⁴

Basilar Thumb Arthritis

The joint at the base of the thumb is called the basal joint, and this joint can be subject to osteoarthritis, which is often a result of wear and tear. Basal thumb arthritis can cause pain when gripping or pinching, swelling, tenderness, aching, loss of strength, a joint that appears enlarged, a bump on the joint, and limited motion. Icing, anti-inflammatory medications, and wearing a brace can help alleviate thumb arthritis, though surgery is also an option for some patients.⁵

De Quervain’s Tendonitis

This condition is caused by constriction of the tendons around the base of the thumb. The source of pain in patients who have De Quervian’s tendonitis is at the side of the thumb and along the wrist. This is often most prominent when forming a fist, turning the wrist, or gripping an object. Non-surgical treatment includes splinting, NSAIDs, and steroid injections.⁶

Ganglion Cysts

A ganglion cyst is a small mass or lump on the hand or wrist that is filled with fluid. These cysts are generally harmless, and often appear quickly, change in size, or disappear. Treatment is usually not necessary for ganglion cysts, though immobilization and draining the cyst through aspiration may be helpful. In rare cases, ganglion cysts can be surgically removed.⁷

Mallet Finger

Often referred to as “baseball finger,” mallet finger is an injury caused when the tip of a finger or thumb is struck by an unyielding object, forcing it to bend further than it should. This can be a painful injury and can prevent the tip of the finger or thumb from laying straight. Mallet finger is first treated with splinting, but surgical repair may be necessary if a finger fracture has also occurred. ⁸

Finger Fractures

Fractured fingers are a fairly common yet painful injury, and should be treated in order to preserve motion and alleviate pain. Resetting a broken finger bone and splinting or casting are often the only treatment necessary, though some patients may require surgery.⁹

Distal Radius Fractures

The medical term for a broken wrist is distal radius fracture. The radius is the larger of the two forearm bones, and fractures to this bone are often the result of a fall or blow to the wrist. Broken wrist bones must be reset, and a plaster cast is often applied to help the bone heal properly. If a bone is so misplaced that it can’t be reset, surgery may be needed. ¹⁰