Joint Pain in Hands

A joint, as we all know is defined as a specific location in the body where two different bones connect. The ligaments and tendons are the parts of the joint that provide stability to the joint. The hand is one of the most complex structure of our body as it consists of 27 bones and 15 joints. The joints allow a person to freely move the fingers and the wrist. It has been reported that many people complain about joint pain in hands. Pain that stays for a temporary period is normal. However, persistent pain that interferes with normal movement of the hand especially, can be a serious illness related to the joints.

Causes

Arthritis: Joint discomfort is commonly associated with arthritis. Arthritis involving the hand can cause swelling and inflammation of the joint. Arthritis that involves progressive deterioration of the joint, generally occurs after 50 in men and women. A joint infection in hands can also cause arthritis, which may lead to sudden joint pain in hands and fingers. Arthritis restricts functionality of joints and makes them stiff and red.

Bone Fracture: An outside force that causes breakage to any of the bones is sure to cause joint pain. In such a case, moving the hand becomes an uphill task and causes excruciating pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Women generally suffer from CTS in the later stages of pregnancy. People with CTS experience joint pain which is then accompanied by tingling sensation similar to that of pricking needles in the fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a hand condition that results when the median nerve located at the wrist compresses due to an outside force. This is indeed a disabling condition that can also lead to hand numbness.

Hand Sprain: Ligaments and tendons are fibrous tissues that support the muscles and keep the bones in proper alignment. Falling on hand or joint movement that is not within the normal range can stretch the ligaments excessively and may lead to hand sprain. In this condition, joint pain occurs while holding heavy objects.

Hand Strain: A hand strain is an injury or a trauma that affects the tendon or the muscles. Muscle pain and localized swelling are the common symptoms of hand strain. A tendon is a fibrous cord that does the job of connecting the muscles to the bones. In this condition, the tendon or the muscle of the hand are partially or completely torn. Any joint movement that causes over stretching of the muscle or the tendon results in hand strain.

A proper treatment plan will be decided after thorough physical examination of the hand. Once the underlying cause of this hand problem is diagnosed, an appropriate treatment option can be chosen to get rid of this pain in hands. For instance, anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. An ice massage or a cold compress is often recommended for the treatment of hand sprain. Keep in mind that timely treatment is important to restore normal motion of hand.