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