Why Does My Hand Hurt? (Part 2)

In this two-part article, Detroit area hand specialist Dr. Uzma Rehman explain the signs and symptoms of 10 of the most common causes of discomfort in the hand and wrist. If any of these symptoms apply to you, the best course of action is to get an expert diagnosis from a board certified hand doctor like Dr. Rehman.

Early detection and a rapid treatment plan is the best way to minimize hand pain, as well as to ensure a full recovery with no long term negative impact on the use or mobility of your fingers and hand.

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#6. Hand Pain Caused by Gout

Individuals who have gout suffer from sudden, acute episodes of joint discomfort. Gout is most often seen in the joint near the base of the big toe, although it may affect any joint in the foot, knees, hands, or wrists.

Symptoms of Gout in the hands or wrists, include:

  • severe episodes of pain, burning, redness, and tenderness
  • pain that awakens you throughout the night
  • sensation that your hand is on fire
  • a bed sheet’s weight may be unbearable

#7. Hand Pain Caused by Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune illness, which means that your immune system targets and destroys healthy cells and tissue in error. Lupus often begins with joint pain and stiffness.

When lupus flares, the whole body is inflamed. This inflammation results in the thickening of the thin lining surrounding the joints, resulting in discomfort and swelling in the hands, wrists, and feet.

Symptoms of lupus include:

  • muscular discomfort
  • unexplained fever
  • red rashes, often on the face
  • hair loss
  • pale or purple fingers or toes
  • discomfort while taking deep breaths
  • edema in the legs or around the eyes

#8. Hand Pain Caused by Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a disease that affects the hands and feet, causing numbness, discomfort, and paralysis. Peripheral neuropathy manifests as in the hands when peripheral nerves are injured.

Peripheral nerve injury may be caused by a variety of factors, including diabetes, severe traumas, infections, and metabolic disorders.

Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by the following symptoms:

  • progressive numbness, prickling, or tingling in the feet or hands
  • pain in the hands or feet that is acute, jabbing, throbbing, freezing, or scorching
  • hypersensitivity in the hands or feet
  • muscular weakness or paralysis; inability to balance; falling

#9. Hand Pain Caused by Raynaud’s Syndrome

When you are agitated or exposed to low temperatures, Raynaud’s phenomenon, also known as Raynaud’s illness, causes specific regions (especially the fingers and toes) to become numb and chilly.

When you get cold, it is natural for the body to conserve heat by decreasing blood flow to the skin. This is accomplished through constriction of the blood arteries. But Raynaud’s patients’ bodies respond more strongly to cold or stress. Blood vessels in the hands may constrict much more quickly and tightly than usual.

Symptoms of a Raynaud’s episode may include the following:

  • numbness
  • tingling, throbbing, prickly sensation in the fingers and toes
  • sores, gangrene, ulcers, and tissue damage (in severe cases)

#10. Hand Pain Caused by Stenosing Tenosynovitis

Trigger finger, sometimes referred to as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a painful ailment that develops when your finger or thumb becomes trapped in a bent position.

If you have trigger finger, you may notice a painful lump and heat around the base of your finger, near the tendon sheath.

Symptoms Stenosing Tenosynovitis include:

  • a popping or cracking sensation when you straighten or bend the finger
  • one or more fingers being trapped in a bent position
  • morning stiffness and difficulty straightening the affected finger
  • acute pain at the base of the finger

Top Detroit Area Hand Specialist

If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Detroit area hand specialist Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, rapid intervention and appropriate treatment  is the most effective way to combat the effects of any conditions causing hand or wrist pain.

Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.

Detroit Area Hand Specialist: 248.335.2638