Hand pain can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Some people may have a physical injury to their hand, while others might suffer from hand pain because of a disease, such as arthritis.

Tendonitis

When the tendons start to swell in the hands and along the wrist, it can cause a lot of pain. In some patients, the pain starts gradually and builds over time. In other patients, the pain seems to come on suddenly, and it can extend and radiate from the site of the swollen tendons to other areas of the hand and arm. This can make it difficult to do a number of normal tasks, as it can be hard to hold objects, and you may lose mobility in the hand.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Another common cause of hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, affecting up to 3% of the people in the United States. Those who suffer can experience pain in their hand and fingers, as well as the wrist and the forearm. The swelling in the carpal tunnel places pressure on the median nerve, which causes these symptoms to emerge. In addition to pain, it can also cause the sufferer to feel weakness and tingling in their hands.

Fractures

It is possible to break bones in the hand, wrist, and forearm, and it may be easier than you want to believe. Even a small fracture can cause swelling, pain, stiffness, and an inability to move the affected area. Complex fractures and compound (open) fractures are even more dangerous.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of hand pain. The cartilage in the joints begins to deteriorate, which can happen with age and with repetitive use. This eventually causes painful swelling that will limit the persons ability to function properly. Many different types of arthritis exist, and all of them can be difficult to treat and manage.

Trigger Finger

Someone who suffers from trigger finger has a finger or thumb that becomes locked in an angle. This can be annoying, and it can be painful. It can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the sufferer to straighten their digit without a substantial amount of pain. This can occur when there is injury or irritation of the flexor tendons.

Finding Treatments to Deal With Hand Pain

As you can see, there are a number of causes of hand pain, which means that the treatment that works for one will not necessarily work for another. When you are suffering from any type of hand pain, you will want to speak with hand specialist to get to the root cause of the problem. You can then discuss a good and workable course of treatment, which could include physical therapy, medication, and surgery to help eliminate your hand pain.

Always make sure you are going to a specialist in the field who has experience dealing with the hand, wrist, and elbow. While a general practitioner can be helpful, getting a referral to a specialist is generally your best bet.