Hand and wrist conditions

Carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome

These conditions most typically start with symptoms of tingling in the hand, waking you up at night.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (affecting the median nerve) most commonly presents with tingling in your thumb, index, middle and ring fingers which is often relieved by shaking your hand.

Cubital tunnel syndrome (affecting the ulnar nerve) presents with tingling in your little and ring fingers, typically waking you during the early hours of the morning around 3am to 4am.

If left a long time without treatment, these conditions can progress to cause weakness in your hands.

More information

• Carpal tunnel syndrome - causes, symptoms, treatment at Versus Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome at The British Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Cubital tunnel syndrome at The British Society for Surgery of the Hand
• Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar neuritis) at The Knowledge Network

Osteoarthritis of the hand

The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA) in your hands are:

• the base of thumb where it joins your wrist
•  the small joints of your fingers

The joints affected in your fingers are the DIP joint (nearest the nail) which often develops associated nodules called Heberdens nodes. The next joint down (PIP joint) can develop nodules called Bouchards nodes.

OA in the hands can often be quite debilitating as it affect your activities of daily living, including opening jars, holding a pen to write, picking up small items and undertaking fine, precise activities.

Moe information

• Osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist at Versus Arthritis
• Exercises for the fingers, hands and wrists at Versus Arthritis

Triggering

This involves momentary locking or clicking of your fingers or thumb when you make a fist or grip something tight. It can also occur when you waken in a morning with your finger or thumb locked into a bent position, as we tend to sleep with our hands naturally curled into a light fist.

Typically this will release itself when you straighten your fingers, but sometimes can progress to require you to straighten or unlock it manually.

This can develop to be quite painful and can become quite troublesome when it happens regularly throughout the day.

More information

• Trigger finger and trigger thumb (trigger digits) at The British Society for Surgery of the Hand

Dupuytrens disease

Dupuytren's is related to a thickening of the fascia in the palms of your hands and also the soles of your feet.

It typically presents with formation of a lump which when forming can be painful and itchy, but this soon settles. The lump or thickening may not progress at all for many years or can start to tighten and pull your finger into a bent position which you can not then straighten.

It can be related to your family history or can occur spontaneously. Despite being called a disease, it is not contagious and is not infectious.

More information

• Dupuytren's disease at The British Society for Surgery of the Hand

Tendonitis of the wrist

This most typically affects the tendon on the thumb side of your wrist - De Quervain's tenosynovitis - commonly caused by repetitive movements of your thumb or wrist.

It can be quite common in new parents, especially mothers with lifting the baby or holding the baby to feed. It can be initiated following an episode of unaccustomed activity such as DIY, painting, hammering or a similar action.

It will often settle down on its own, but can sometimes need treatment.

More information

• Wrist tendonitis (De Quervain's) at The Knowledge Network