The hand has many different parts including bones, muscles and ligaments that all work together to perform a task. Hand pain can have acute onset in the case of a fall or injury and it can also be caused by overuse. Often, if the hand is injured and it is not given time to heal, pain can become chronic. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are degenerative diseases that can cause swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints of the hand. Commonwealth Spine & Pain Management, located in Richmond, VA., shares some additional causes of hand pain:
Arthritis of the Hand
All joints are susceptible to arthritis, even the joints of your hand. In osteoarthritis, the smooth cartilage covering the ends of the bones of the joint wears away, eventually leaving bone rubbing against bone to cause pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition which causes pain and inflammation of the joints, often in the hands.
Sprained Ligaments
Ligaments are the thick, tough connective tissue attaching two bones together to form a joint. Your hand and wrist contain many ligaments, and any of them can sustain an injury. A sprain is an injury to a ligament.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
This condition, similar to trigger finger, hinders the tendon at the base of the thumb in sliding through its tendon sheath. Unlike trigger finger, this condition only affects the thumb, and it is the tendon sheath that is inflamed rather than the tendon itself. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can make wrist and hand motions involving the thumb painful and difficult to perform.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are small, fluid-filled lumps that form on the underside of your wrists or hands. Most often occurring along the tendons or at the joints, they are harmless. However, if they are large or are in the wrong position, they may put pressure on a nerve and cause hand pain.
Treatment for Common Causes of Hand Pain
Commonwealth Spine & Pain Management is a leading provider of comprehensive pain management services in the Richmond area. We provide a high level of care and services to patients of all ages ranging, from board certified physicians, from sports-related and emergency injuries to arthritic, congenital and degenerative conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
Some of the treatments for hand pain we offer include:
- Steroid injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy and regular at home exercises
Pain doesn’t have to define you. At Commonwealth Spine & Pain Management, we use the latest technology to help diagnose and treat hand pain. Please contact us to schedule an appointment online. We look forward to getting you back in the game!
