Hand and Wrist Pain: Causes, Injuries, Treatments

Key Takeaways

• Hand and wrist pain can come from many causes, including carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, tendon injuries, nerve damage, fractures and complex trauma. An accurate diagnosis is the essential first step toward effective treatment.
• Our team includes orthopaedic hand surgeons and plastic hand surgeons who have developed techniques for ligament reconstruction and flexor tendon repair that are now used as standard practice across the country.
• We offer a full range of care, from medications, steroid injections and splinting to microsurgical reconstruction, limb salvage and total wrist replacement. Each treatment plan is personalized to your needs and goals.

Your hands and wrists play a major role in daily life, from basic tasks to work and sports. At the University of Chicago Medicine Musculoskeletal Center, our orthopaedic and plastic surgery specialists focus on relieving your pain and helping you regain strength, movement and function.

Our team takes time to understand your symptoms, explain your options clearly and involve you in every decision about your care.

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What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain?

Hand and wrist pain can have many causes, including injuries, overuse arthritis and nerve conditions. The hand and wrist are made up of many small bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves that work together to support movement and function. When any of these are damaged or inflamed, it can lead to pain, stiffness, weakness or limited movement.

Common Causes of Hand and Wrist Pain

• Arthritis: Both rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease, and osteoarthritis, which develops from wear and tear over time, can affect the joints of the hand and wrist.
• Fractures and traumatic injuries: Broken bones, ligament tears, tendon injuries and severe trauma can occur after falls, sports injuries, workplace accidents or other direct impacts.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist can cause numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the hand and fingers. 
• Tendonitis and overuse injuries: Repetitive motions and strain can inflame tendons and surrounding tissues in the hand and wrist. 
• Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled lumps that develop near joints or tendons, most often on the back of the wrist. They are usually harmless but can cause pain or limit movement.
• Dupuytren’s contracture: This condition causes tissue in the palm to thicken and tighten, making it difficult to fully straighten the fingers.
• Trigger finger: Inflammation of a tendon in the finger that causes it to catch or lock during movement.
• Nerve injuries: Damage to nerves in the hand, wrist or arm, including he brachial plexus, can affect sensation and movement. 
• Congenital hand conditions: Some people are born with differences in hand structure or function that may require specialized care.
• Tumors and soft tissue conditions: Abnormal growths in the bone or soft tissues of the hand and wrist can cause pain, swelling, or reduced mobility.
• Synovial inflammation: Inflammation of the joint lining can lead to swelling, stiffness and discomfort.

Hand and Wrist Pain Symptoms

Symptoms can vary depending on the cause and which part of the hand or wrist is affected. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, aching or throbbing in the hand, fingers or wrist
• Numbness or tingling, especially in the thumb and first three fingers
• Weakness or trouble gripping or holding objects
• Swelling or stiffness in the joints
• A locking or catching feeling in a finger (trigger finger)
• Visible deformity or abnormal positioning of a finger or the wrist
• Reduced range of motion

If your symptoms are affecting your daily activities, work or sleep, our specialists can evaluate the cause and recommend the right treatment.

Hand and Wrist Treatment

We offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options, always starting with the least invasive approach first. Your care plan is tailored to your condition, anatomy and goals.

Nonsurgical Treatments

• Anti-inflammatory medications: To reduce pain and swelling.
• Steroid injections: Medicine injected directly into the affected area to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Splinting or casting: To immobilize and protect the hand or wrist while it heals.
• Orthotics: Custom supportive devices to reduce strain and improve function.
• Physical and occupational therapy: Targeted exercises and activities to restore strength, movement and function.
• Lifestyle and activity changes: Modifying how you use your hand or wrist to reduce strain and prevent further injury.

Surgical Options

• Carpal tunnel release: A minimally invasive procedure that relieves pressure on the median nerve in the wrist.
• Trigger finger release: A simple outpatient procedure to free the affected tendon so the finger moves smoothly again.
• Corrective procedures: Surgery to realign bones, joints or soft tissue that have shifted out of proper position.
• Bone or tissue grafting: Transplanting bone or tissue from one area to repair damage in another.
• Hand and wrist reconstruction: Rebuilding damaged structures to restore function after injury or disease.
• Wrist arthroscopy: A minimally invasive procedure using a tiny camera and small instruments to diagnose and treat problems inside the wrist joint.
• Nerve repair and nerve transfers: Repairing or rerouting damaged nerves to restore sensation and movement.
• Tendon repair and tendon transfers: Repairing torn tendons or rerouting a healthy tendon to restore movement when the original tendon is too damaged.
• Microsurgical reconstruction: Using specialized techniques under a microscope to repair tiny nerves, blood vessels and tendons, often needed for severe injuries.
• Limb salvage and reimplantation: Reattaching a partially or fully amputated finger or hand when possible.
• Total wrist replacement: Replacing a severely damaged wrist joint with an artificial implant to relieve pain and preserve movement.

We work closely with physical and occupational therapists before and after treatment to support your recovery and improve outcomes.

Our Expertise in Complex Hand and Wrist Surgery

Our team specializes in treating complex hand and wrist conditions. We have developed advanced techniques for ligament reconstruction and flexor tendon repair that are now widely used across the country.

Using minimally invasive approaches whenever possible, we can repair injuries, remove damaged tissue and restore function with less pain, less scarring and faster recovery times.

We treat both adults and children, including congenital hand conditions, complex injuries and cases that require revision after previous treatment.

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