When your hand or wrist starts aching, carpal tunnel syndrome often gets blamed first. This common condition affects millions of people and receives plenty of attention in medical discussions both on- and offline. However, assuming every case of hand pain stems from carpal tunnel can lead to ineffective treatment when you’re relying on internet research to find relief from your symptoms.
Many conditions can cause hand and wrist discomfort that have nothing to do with the compressed median nerve characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome. Understanding these alternative causes helps you seek appropriate treatment and find relief faster.
Common causes of hand pain
Several conditions can create hand discomfort that might resemble symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, or be entirely different.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger occurs when tendons in your fingers become inflamed and catch on the surrounding sheath. This creates a popping or catching sensation when you try to straighten your finger. The condition typically affects the thumb, middle finger, or ring finger and can make gripping objects difficult.
Unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger discomfort stays localized to the affected digit rather than radiating throughout the hand. You might notice that your symptoms are worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
Arthritis
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis commonly affect the hands, creating joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis typically develops in the base of the thumb and finger joints, while rheumatoid arthritis often affects both hands or wrists at the same time.
Arthritic hand pain tends to worsen with activity and improve with rest. You may also notice joint deformities, reduced range of motion, or a grinding sensation when moving your fingers.
Ganglion cysts
These fluid-filled lumps commonly develop on the back of the wrist or hand, though they can appear anywhere along tendons or joints. Ganglion cysts may cause pain in the specific place they appear, especially when pressure is applied to the area.
Common causes of wrist pain
Wrist pain can stem from various conditions affecting the bones, tendons, and ligaments in this complex joint structure.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
This condition involves inflammation of tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis creates pain that worsens when gripping, pinching, or making a fist. The discomfort typically radiates from the wrist toward the thumb and forearm.
New mothers are a statistically likely group to develop this condition due to the specific lifting and holding motions of picking up a newborn. The pain often intensifies when turning the wrist or moving the thumb away from the hand.
Wrist tendinitis
Repetitive motions and chronically held wrist positions can inflame tendons throughout the wrist, creating pain that differs from carpal tunnel syndrome. Wrist tendinitis typically causes aching along the back of the hand and wrist, especially during movement.
This condition commonly affects people who perform repetitive wrist motions at work or during hobbies like playing sports or crafting. The pain may worsen at night and improve with rest and gentle movement.
Ulnar nerve entrapment
Also known as cubital tunnel syndrome (which causes confusion due to its similarity to “carpal”), this condition involves compression of the ulnar nerve at the wrist or elbow. Unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve entrapment usually affects the pinky and ring fingers, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness.
The symptoms typically worsen when leaning on the elbows. You might also notice difficulty with fine motor tasks like buttoning shirts or picking up small objects.
Wrist fractures and sprains
Previous injuries to wrist bones or ligaments can create chronic pain that resembles other conditions. Scaphoid fractures, in particular, may cause ongoing discomfort in the thumb-side of the wrist that worsens with gripping activities.
Wrist sprains involving ligament damage can also create persistent pain and instability when not effectively treated. These temporary injuries often result from falls or sudden twisting motions.
How to treat hand and wrist pain
A few treatment approaches for hand pain overlap with those specific to carpal tunnel syndrome. So even though the cause may be different, the general principles of helping your body heal might be similar.
Methods to heal from hand or wrist pain at home include ways to address inflammation, promote healing, and restore normal function regardless of the specific underlying condition.
At-home treatment methods
The RICE method provides an excellent starting point for managing acute hand and wrist injuries:
- Rest: Avoid activities that worsen your symptoms. This doesn’t mean complete immobilization, but rather reducing aggravating movements while continuing to flex and stretch the wrist or hand gently.
- Ice: Apply cold packs for 15-20 minutes up to several times each day during the first 48-72 hours after symptoms arise. Ice helps reduce inflammation and numbs pain.
- Compression: Gentle compression with an elastic bandage or brace can provide support and reduce swelling. Avoid wrapping too tightly, as this can cut off circulation.
- Elevation: When possible, keep your hand and wrist elevated above heart level to promote drainage and reduce swelling.
Additional at-home strategies include:
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications as directed
- Performing gentle stretching and strengthening exercises that do not cause increased pain
- Avoiding activities that aggravate your symptoms
- Switching to more ergonomic tools and equipment
- Applying heat therapy after the initial inflammatory phase passes
When to see a physical therapist
Physical therapy becomes valuable when home treatments aren’t providing adequate relief or when you want to get the best advice for preventing future problems.
Consider professional help if you experience:
- Persistent pain lasting more than a few days
- Significant swelling or deformity
- Numbness or tingling that doesn’t improve
- Difficulty performing daily activities
- Persistent weakness in grip strength or fine motor control
- Recurring symptoms despite rest and self-care
Physical therapists can provide targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and activity modifications specific to your condition. They also teach proper body mechanics and ergonomic principles to prevent future episodes.
Early intervention often leads to faster recovery and better long-term outcomes. No matter how straightforward it may seem, don’t wait until symptoms become severe before seeking professional guidance.
Hand and wrist specialists in Grand Rapids
We know it can be frustrating to search online for a specific answer to your symptoms and only get one type of condition in the search results. This is just one reason why a personalized evaluation is valuable to finding effective and targeted pain relief when you need it.
At Advent Physical Therapy, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating a lot of different hand and wrist conditions. We always work to ensure your treatment address your specific needs and can help you return to your normal routine.
Get started on the road to less pain by calling one of our clinics or by requesting an appointment online today.