Hand pain can be a symptom of conditions like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tenosynovitis, usually related to repetitive movements. Hand pain may also be a sign of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Hand pain that is persistent or does not improve with rest should be evaluated by a primary care doctor or an orthopedic surgeon. Further workup may be needed to help identify the cause of the pain and guide appropriate treatment.

In general, treatment of hand pain involves the use of anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants. Depending on the cause, physical therapy or, in some cases, surgery, may be indicated.

Main causes

The main causes of hand pain include:

1. Arthritis

Arthritis is the principal cause of hand pain and involves inflammation of the joints, resulting in constant pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the affected joint. Arthritis can affect the joints of the wrist as well as the fingers, causing pain and making simple movements, such as writing or grasping an object, difficult.

What to do: it is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of arthritis. You may need to be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, which typically involves physical therapy or the use of anti-inflammatories for pain.

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in professionals who use their hands a lot, such as hairdressers and computer programmers. It is caused by compression of the nerve that passes through the wrist to the hand and leads to symptoms like tingling and sharp pain in the fingers.

What to do: treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome should be initiated as soon as the first symptoms arise, in order to prevent the condition from becoming worse and turning into a more serious problem. Treatment usually consists of physical therapy, however surgery may be recommended in more serious cases.

3. Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons due to repetitive motion, causing swelling, tingling, burning, or pain with even minor movement.

Tendonitis is common in people whose work requires a great deal of repetitive movements, such as dressmakers, cleaners, and people who type for long periods of time.

What to do: when symptoms of tendonitis arise, it is important to stop the activity that is aggravating the condition in order to prevent more serious injury. In addition, it is recommended to ice the affected area to help alleviate the symptoms and to take an anti-inflammatory medication as directed by your doctor.

4. Fracture

A fracture of the hand, wrist, or finger is common in people who practice sports like basketball or boxing, for example, and can also be caused by an accident or blow to the hand.

Fractures usually involve pain and swelling of the affected area, as well as changes in skin color. It is usually difficult to move the hand, wrist, or finger that is fractured.

What to do: an X-ray will be needed to confirm the fracture. Treatment may involve immobilizing the hand, wrist, or fingers to avoid making the injury worse.

Your doctor or other healthcare professional may recommend medication to relieve the pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). Depending on the extent of the injury, physical therapy may also be recommended to help restore normal movement.

5. Gout

Gout is a condition characterized by an accumulation of uric acid in the blood leading to pain and difficulty moving the affected joint. Symptoms most often occur in the big toe, however gout can also affect the hands, causing painful, swollen fingers.

What to do: the diagnosis of gout is made by a rheumatologist or your primary care provider, and is usually confirmed with lab tests showing high levels of uric acid in the blood and urine.

Treatment typically involves the use of medications to relieve pain and inflammation, such as allopurinol. Learn more about gout and how it is treated.

6. Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected joints for about the first hour after getting up in the morning.

What to do: it is important to tell your doctor or primary care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. They can refer you to a rheumatologist who can confirm the diagnosis, usually based on symptoms and lab tests.

Apart from confirming the diagnosis, a rheumatologist can also prescribe the use of anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressant medications. Physical therapy is also recommended, as well as following an anti-inflammatory diet rich in foods like tuna, salmon, and oranges.

Check out anti-inflammatory foods to include in your diet.

7. Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation of the skin, eyes, brain, lungs, and joints, as well as the hands.

What to do: treatment is usually done under the supervision of a rheumatologist and consists of anti-inflammatories to help alleviate pain and inflammation, in addition to immunosuppressants and physical therapy.

8. Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the connective tissue covering a group of tendons, also known as a tendon sheath. People with this condition often experience pain as well as a sensation of weakness that makes it difficult to hold a glass or grasp a fork, for example.

Tenosynovitis can be caused by an injury to the hand, an immune system disorder, infection, or hormonal changes.

What to do: treatment of tenosynovitis involves rest and immobilization of the affected joint.

Medications like anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids may also be indicated, as well as physical therapy to help speed up recovery.

9. Raynaud phenomenon

Raynaud phenomenon is a condition characterized by decreased blood flow to the fingers caused by exposure to the cold or emotional distress. Symptoms include fingertips that are white and cold, as well as pulsating pain and a tingling sensation in the fingers.

What to do: relieving symptoms of Raynaud phenomenon involves warming up the tips of the fingers to stimulate blood flow. Seek emergency medical attention if you notice your fingers starting to turn black. Severe cases of Raynaud phenomenon can result in gangrene or skin necrosis requiring amputation of the fingertip.

10. Dupuytren contracture

Dupuytren contracture is a condition in which one or more fingers bend in toward the palm. It usually involves the appearance of a "cord" in the palm that seems to be anchoring the finger down and preventing it from extending. Individuals with Dupuytren contraction often present with difficulty opening the hand and may or may not have pain.

Men are generally more affected than women, and the condition is more common in men greater than 50 years of age. Dupuytren contracture can cause considerable pain in the palm of the hand and may require treatment. Delaying treatment may cause the condition to get worse, with extension of the affected fingers becoming increasingly more difficult overtime.

What to do: it is important to see your doctor if you are experiencing signs or symptoms of Dupuytren contraction so that a diagnosis can be made based on an evaluation of the hand.

The most common treatment for Dupuytren contracture is physical therapy, however over treatments such as collagenase injections or surgery are available to treat the contracture of the palmar fascia.

11. Trigger finger

Trigger finger is an inflammation of the tendon responsible for bending the finger, resulting in a permanently bent finger and intense pain, usually involving the base of the fingers and the palm of the hand.

What to do: in the case of trigger finger, it is recommended to be seen by an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation. Treatment usually consists of rest, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the hand, and the use of a brace to immobilize the wrist.

In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend cortisone shots or surgery to relieve the pain.

12. Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy can cause hand pain as well as pain in other parts of the body. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include sharp pain or a burning sensation, numbness or tingling, and either increased or decreased sensitivity to heat or touch. These symptoms are related to peripheral nerve damage.

What to do: it is important to see your doctor or primary care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms of peripheral neuropathy so that a cause can be identified. Treatment will depend on the cause of the neuropathy.

13. Erythromelalgia (Mitchell's disease)

Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that causes symptoms like heat, pain, and redness in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

While the exact cause of erythromelalgia is unknown, an increase in body temperature through exercise or stress, for example, can trigger symptoms.

What to do: it is important to see your doctor in order to identify the cause of your symptoms and initiate treatment, which may include symptom relief through the use of cold compresses or medications to help control pain and improve circulation.