Hand and wrist pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of your hand, becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist, made up of bones and ligaments.

It can lead to symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and wrist, and is most commonly associated with repetitive hand movements, but it can also be caused by other factors like injury, certain type of arthritis, or pregnancy.

Common symptoms:

  • Numbness and Tingling in the thumb, index or middle finger.

  • Pain in the hand or forearm

  • Weakness, particularly with pinch grip.

  • Loss of dexterity.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints, causing pain, stiffness, swelling.

RA is different from other types of arthritis (like osteoarthritis) in that it’s an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. It commonly affects the hands but the inflammation can spread to other parts of the body, including the feet and ankles, skin, eyes, lungs, and heart.

RA symptoms:

  • Joint Pain: The most common symptoms are pain and tenderness in the affected joints. The pain is typically worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

  • Swelling in the hands and fingers.

  • Stiffness.

  • Fatigue.

  • Reduced Range of Motion.

  • Symmetrical Joint Involvement (a distinctive feature of RA).

  • Deformities in the finger joints.

  • Systemic Symptoms - low-grade fever, anemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, dry eyes or mouth.

TFCC injury

A Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) injury involves damage to a structure in the wrist composed of cartilage and ligaments, located on the ulnar side of the wrist. The TFCC is critical for stabilising the wrist joint, enabling smooth rotation and allowing proper load transmission between the radius and ulna bones. It serves as both a shock absorber and a stabilising structure, particularly during activities involving forearm rotation or gripping. A TFCC injury is relatively common, especially among athletes or people who engage in activities that put significant stress on the wrist, such as gymnastics, tennis, weightlifting, or boxing. However, it can also result from trauma, degenerative wear and tear, or repetitive wrist movements.

TFCC injury symptoms:

  • Pain, typically localised to the ulnar side of the wrist, especially with supination and pronation.

  • Swelling.

  • Clicking or popping sensations in the wrist.

  • A reduction in grip strength.

  • In more severe injuries, there may be a sensation of instability or "giving way" when performing certain movements.

FOOSH

FOOSH stands for "Fall On Outstretched Hand," and it is a common mechanism of injury, particularly for the upper extremity, such as the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and even the clavicle. This type of fall typically occurs when a person attempts to break their fall with their hand, resulting in a sudden impact on the hand and wrist. It can result in a number of injuries to the wrist, including:

  • Distal Radius Fracture

  • Scaphoid Fracture

  • TFCC Injury

  • Carpal Bone Dislocations

FOOSH symptoms:

  • Pain, usually the most prominent symptom.

  • Swelling and Bruising.

  • Deformity.

  • Limited Range of Motion.

  • Instability.

  • Numbness or Tingling.