Your hands are often an essential part of an everyday routine. If you are suffering from hand and wrist pain, this can be a detriment to many activities. While the treatment is essential, identifying causes can give you chances to avoid them.
Possible Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain
The following list is a variety of hand and wrist pain causes you could encounter. Some of them are caused by an internal issue, and a physical problem causes others. At South Shore Orthopedics, we are here to provide you with the knowledge and care to treat these problems as they arise. Your pain does not have to continue.
Sudden Impact Injuries
Hand and wrist pain often results from a physical activity gone wrong. This usually is associated with falling onto an outstretched hand. While often causing hand and wrist pain, the result could also be worse, such as a fracture. If that is the case, this may require surgery or the implementation of a cast. The level of pain and length of treatment will be reliant on the intensity of the injury.
Repetitive Physical Motion
If you are often participating in a sport or activity that requires repetitive motion of your hand and wrist, this could cause your pain. Activities such as tennis or even very long travels driving a car can lead to hand and wrist pain. This continuous overworking of the wrist is what causes the problem.
Arthritis
There are a few types of arthritis to consider. To see which one could be affecting you, we have laid out the possibilities for you. Some types apply to hands and wrists more often than others, but that could prevent you from figuring out which one you have.
Osteoarthritis
With this type of arthritis, the cartilage acts as a buffer in between bones that deteriorates over time. However, the Mayo Clinic explains that this is uncommon in the wrist unless there has been a previous injury.
Rheumatoid arthritis
In this case, the body’s immune system attacks its own issue. Here, it often affects the wrist and is commonly in both if it is found in one.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid building up in the bloodstream. This acid causes sharp points to develop in the joints and tissue. It inflames the joints, causing intense pain in the hands and wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic defines carpal tunnel syndrome as a syndrome that develops when there is increased pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a pathway in the palm side of your wrists. If you think you are suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, now is a great time to contact an orthopedic doctor to find a solution.
Tendinitis
With so many tendons present in the wrist, they can play a significant role in hand and wrist pain. Swelling of the tendons occurs when they become irritated. This swelling can cause pain in the movement or even lead to a spontaneous rupture.
Ganglion Cyst
A ganglion cyst can present a problem for your hands. This benign lump can form on the wrist joints and even tendons. This size of the lump can press on nerves, causing aches and discomfort. While not dangerous, it is a condition that can generate constant intense pain.
Lupus
While one of the less common causes of hand and wrist pain, lupus is one to consider. The Cleveland Clinic defines lupus as an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack its healthy tissue. This leads people with lupus to develop arthritis in the hands and wrists. As with the other types of arthritis we discussed, the kind developed determines what is causing the pain in the hands and wrists.
Recognizing the causes of hand and wrist pain can help you find a diagnosis or even avoid the pain altogether. Each body is unique, so it is essential to find the best treatment that fits your situation. Are you struggling with hand and wrist pain? Request an appointment here or give us a call at (781) 337-5555.