Effective Ways to Manage Hand Joint Pain: Causes and Relief Options

Shaivy Choubey

Medically Reviewed By Dr. Aarti Nehra

Hand joint pain can be more than just a minor inconvenience—it can stop you from doing things like typing on a computer or even lifting objects. Pain in joints be it ankle pain or hand pain mostly erupts due to wear and tear of joints. When dealing with joints hurting in hands, it’s essential to understand the underlying causes for hand pain and how to manage it effectively. Let’s read about some of the most common reasons why hands and joints hurt and know remedies to ease this pain.

Common Causes for Hand Pain Affecting Joint

There are many factors that can lead to hand joint pain. The key to determining the appropriate treatment is to find the cause. Here are some of the most frequent causes for hand pain:

Osteoarthritis

Hand and joint pain is a common problem, especially in older adults, and is often caused by osteoarthritis. According to research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the prevalence of osteoarthritis increases with age and 40% of people over the age of 70 have it in their hands. As a result, this condition can limit joint mobility and make it difficult to grip, hold objects, or to be able to do things that require the mobility of joints in hands.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, in which the synovial lining of the joints is targeted. NCBI reports that RA affects about 1% of the world’s population, wherein women are two to three times more likely than men to develop the condition. For preventing joint damage from becoming permanent, early diagnosis and treatment are important.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One of the most common causes for hand pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition usually results from repetitive motions like typing, sewing, or manual labor. When the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed it causes dull pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers.

Tendinitis

Another common cause of hand and joint pain is tendinitis. This condition happens when the tendons in the hands become inflamed due to over-usage by performing repetitive motions. It leads to sharp or burning pain in the hands, which often gets worse when you move the affected hand or wrist.

Gout

Sudden and intense hand joint pain is a form of arthritis called gout. Uric acid crystals can build up in your joints, causing pain, swelling, and redness, which is known as gout. It usually affects the big toe, but it can also affect the hands.

Signs and Symptoms to Look for When Hands and Joints Hurt

The symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause of the hands and joints hurt. Some common signs include:

  • Swelling around the joints
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning or after resting
  • A dull ache or sharp pain in the hands
  • Difficulty gripping or holding objects
  • Redness or warmth in the affected joints

The symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain and seeking medical advice from an expert can help alleviate these symptoms.

Ways to Manage Hand Joint Pain

While the treatment for pain in the hand joint depends on its cause, several general strategies can help relieve discomfort and improve joint function.

1. Rest and Protect the Joints

If your hand and joint pain is due to overuse or repetitive motion, it’s important to take time to rest the hand. Try to avoid any activities that make the pain worse and try to use braces or splints to minimize further injury to the joints.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Medications

In some cases, the doctor may advise anti-inflammatory medications and in a severe instance, corticosteroid injection can be prescribed that reduces the inflammation and brings temporary relief and ease hand joint pain.

3. Physical Therapy

Strengthening the muscles around the joints and improving flexibility with physical therapy is an effective way of relieving pain. Targeted exercises can be done to restore joint function and decrease pain in the hands. When pain occurs due to tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome, targeted physical therapy can help prevent the pain from getting worse.

4. Heat and Cold Therapy

Alternating between heat and cold packs can help manage joint pain. Heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow, cold packs can numb the pain and reduce swelling.

5. Surgery

In more severe cases, such as advanced arthritis or severe nerve compression due to carpal tunnel syndrome, surgery may be necessary. With surgery, pressure on the nerves can be relieved, damaged tendons can be repaired, or worn-out joints can be replaced.

Conclusion

Hand joint pain can be very challenging as it interferes with simple activities such as typing or lifting an object. If you experience joints hurting in hands, then it is advisable not to ignore it. It is crucial to know the causes for hand pain, whether it is because of arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or some other reason. Consult with a doctor to find the best treatment option for your hand and joint pain, and to regain a pain-free life.

References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21360492/
https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain/
https://www.healthline.com/health/hand-pain#de-quervains
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17752-joint-pain
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/joint-pain-and-swelling

About Shaivy Choubey is a full time content writer with over 7 years of experience, specialising in medical and healthcare forte. She has an extensive knowledge and understanding in crafting, editing, and proofreading the content of infertility treatments (IVF, ICSI, IMSI, Surrogacy, etc.), surgical procedures, sexual well-being issues and their treatments (ED, PE, Low Libido, PCOS, PMS, and more), weight management, diabetic care, skincare, hair care, nutrition and general lifestyle; moreover she has an in-depth knowledge in cosmeceuticals, pharmaceuticals too. Her career started in 2018 holding a designation of a web content writer in one of the fertility clinics in Delhi, the very previous organisation she was into - she holds the esteemed position of senior content writer, continuing her journey in nutraceuticals, wellness, and fitness. Currently she is working at HealthKart as an Assistant Content Manager, where she proofreads, edits, strategizes the content, scrutinises articles/ blogs/ PDPs available in the website, and publishes the high-quality content incorporating the standard SEO practice. When not working, she loves to sing, read, do yoga and zumba. Expertise Infertility, Health and Wellness, Fitness, Sexual Well-being, Pharmaceuticals, Skincare, Haircare, General Lifestyle, Nutrition, Medical, Nutraceutical Education English Honors from Delhi University Masters in Literature from IGNOU Certifications PGDT (Post Graduation Diploma in English Translation) DCE (Diploma in Creative Writing) Diploma in web designing and graphics Microsoft office specialist

divider
×

Disclaimer

All Healthkart products are manufactured at FSSAI approved manufacturing facilities and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please read product packaging carefully prior to purchase and use. The information/articles on HK Vitals (www.hkvitals.com or subdomains) is provided for informational purpose only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your doctor or other healthcare professional. These statements are not ratified by any government agency and are for general guidance only.