Hand pain: causes and treatments

Pain in the hands is one of the most limiting symptoms, as it affects our ability to perform the most basic tasks: from fastening a button to writing or holding a glass. When pain, stiffness or tingling appear, autonomy is compromised.

To guarantee maximum medical precision, we have the collaboration and expert review of the Dr. Raúl Moreno Domínguez, rheumatologist at the Viamed Bahía de Cádiz Hospitalto whom we deeply appreciate his contribution in the analysis of the causes and solutions for hand pain, allowing us to offer a specialized vision that helps our patients recover their functionality and quality of life.

At Viamed, we know that recovering the functionality of your hands means recovering your quality of life. Our Traumatology and Rheumatology teams work together to give you an accurate diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

What is hand pain and why does it occur?

Pain in the hands is a feeling of discomfort, sensitivity or discomfort that affects the multiple joints, tendons and nerves that make up this complex limb. It happens because the hand, being a precision tool that is used thousands of times a day, is extremely vulnerable to wear, inflammation and compression.

The hand cIt contains 27 bones, hundreds of ligaments and tendons, and a dense nerve network. Pain, therefore, can originate from:

• Joints: Caused by cartilage wear (Osteoarthritis) or autoimmune inflammation (Arthritis).
• Tendons: Caused by inflammation due to overuse (Tendinitis).
• Nerves: Caused by entrapment in bone or ligament tunnels (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

The main joint and bone causes of pain

Pain that is located directly in the joints, often accompanied by stiffness and deformity, is usually linked to rheumatological or degenerative pathologies:

Osteoarthritis in the hands

• What is it? It is a degenerative disease where the cartilage, which cushions the joints, progressively wears down. It is the most common cause of chronic hand pain, especially in older people.
• Symptoms: The pain is dull, worse with activity and improves with rest. It manifests itself with stiffness, especially in the morning, and with the growth of bone nodules in the joints of the fingers.
• To better understand this pathology, consult our complete article Osteoarthritis in the hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

• What is it? Unlike osteoarthritis, RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the joints, causing chronic inflammation.
• Symptoms: The pain is more intense, accompanied by swelling, redness and a feeling of heat in the joints. Morning stiffness is much longer and can last for hours. It typically affects both hands symmetrically.

Ganglion cysts

• What is it? They are small sacs filled with synovial fluid (joint fluid) that form near tendons or joints, commonly in the wrist or fingers.
• Symptoms: They cause intermittent pain that may increase with movement, as well as a visible and palpable lump.

Nerve and tendon causes: carpal tunnel syndrome

When hand pain is accompanied by numbness, tingling, or loss of strength, the cause is usually entrapped nerve or inflammation of surrounding tendons.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

• What is it? It is the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. It is associated with repetitive movements or forced postures of the wrist.
• Key symptoms: Tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger, which often worsens at night, waking the patient. In advanced stages, it causes loss of strength and difficulty grasping small objects.

De Quervain’s tendonitis

• What is it? Inflammation of the tendons on the side of the thumb.
• Symptoms: Pain at the base of the thumb that radiates to the wrist, especially when grasping or pinching.

Precision diagnosis and advanced treatment at Viamed

At Viamed, we offer a precision diagnosis that guarantees specific, fast and effective treatment. Our Hand Units integrate specialists in Traumatology (hand surgery), Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.

Diagnostics with cutting-edge technology:

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound: It is a key diagnostic tool for our traumatologists. It allows real-time visualization of tendons, nerves and joint fluid, accurately diagnosing tendonitis, cysts and, crucially, nerve compression without being invasive.
• Electromyogram (EMG): It is used to confirm and measure the severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other nerve radiculopathies.
• Blood test: It is essential to differentiate between Osteoarthritis (wear and tear) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (autoimmune inflammatory disease).

Treatment solutions at Viamed:

• Conservative treatment: For mild or initial cases, we apply specialized physiotherapy, unloading splints and, if necessary, anti-inflammatory medications.
• Guided infiltrations: We use ultrasound to apply corticosteroids or plasma rich in growth factors (PRP) with maximum precision, treating the inflammation at the exact point and minimizing discomfort.
• Minimally invasive surgery: In advanced cases of Carpal Tunnel or very limiting Osteoarthritis (Rizarthrosis), our surgeons opt for endoscopic or minimally invasive surgery. This results in smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery for the patient.

Practical tips and exercises to relieve pain

If the pain in your hands is still mild or incipient, you can apply care measures at home:

• Hot/cold application: Moist heat (paraffin baths or hot towels) is usually beneficial for the stiffness of Osteoarthritis. Cold is best for relieving acute inflammation (tendonitis or active arthritis).
• Ergonomics: Use tools with thicker handles to reduce grip stress. Keep your wrist straight when using the mouse or typing.
• Range of motion exercises:
  • Soft close: Open your hand fully and then gently close it into a fist. Repeat 10 times to maintain flexibility.
  • Finger touch: Touch your thumb to the tip of each of the other four fingers (pincer style).

Don’t let hand pain rob you of your ability to enjoy your daily life. At Viamed Salud, our combination of cutting-edge technology and the humane treatment of our specialists is focused on restoring your dexterity and functionality.

Regain control of your hands. Request your appointment with our experts for a complete diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.