Muscle · Arm · Hand
Hand pain
Common at this spot
Ordered by how common, not by search volume.
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Trigger finger
The finger catches, then snaps open, with pain
Why it happens
A tendon inside the finger thickens so it can no longer glide properly. It is more common over 40, and with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
How it feels
- The finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position
- It clicks or pops as it straightens
- Pain in the finger, thumb, or palm
- Stiffness — you have to press to straighten it
- Worse in the morning and after using your hands
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if it is not getting better or if it is getting in the way of everyday things.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
Thumb to middle finger tingle, sometimes waking you at night
Why it happens
Swelling inside the wrist presses on the nerve that runs through it. It is more common if you are overweight or pregnant, if you repeatedly bend or grip hard with the wrist (including using vibrating tools), if you have arthritis or diabetes, if it runs in the family, or if you have injured that wrist before.
How it feels
- Pain in the fingers, hand, or arm
- Numbness, or pins and needles
- A weak thumb, or trouble gripping things
- It starts slowly and is usually worse at night
How long it usually lasts
How long it takes depends on the treatment — a wrist splint can take up to 6 weeks before you feel a difference.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the symptoms get worse or do not go away, or if what you have tried at home is not helping.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Dupuytren's contracture
A hard cord forms in the palm and the finger won't straighten
Why it happens
The tissue under the skin of the palm thickens and stiffens, and one or more fingers bend in toward the palm. It is more common if it runs in the family, and with smoking, heavy drinking, diabetes, or epilepsy.
How it feels
- It mostly affects the ring and little fingers
- It usually appears in both hands
- It starts as a lump, dimple, or raised band in the palm
- It worsens slowly over months or years
- It is not painful, but it can get in the way of using your hand
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if a finger is bent so you cannot lay your hand flat, or if it is getting in the way of everyday things.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Ganglion cyst
A soft lump on the wrist or back of the hand with a dull ache
Get help right away ifGet urgent care if the lump is very painful, hot, or red.
Why it happens
A fluid-filled lump under the skin, usually on the wrist or hand. Why it forms is not clear; sometimes it follows an injury that lets fluid leak from the joint. It is far more common in women than men.
How it feels
- A smooth, soft lump under the skin
- Anywhere from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres
- Usually painless, but it can ache after using that joint
- It can tingle or hurt after using your fingers
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the lump worries you, if it is getting bigger, or if it is hard and does not move.
Source: NHS (UK)
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Finger osteoarthritis
The knuckles thicken and feel stiff in the morning
Why it happens
The cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wears down, and the joint becomes painful and stiff — here, the finger joints. It is more common after a joint injury or heavy use, if you are overweight, with age, and if it runs in the family.
How it feels
- A painful, stiff joint
- Trouble moving it
- Swelling and tenderness
- A grating or crackling sound when you move
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if the symptoms persist.
How bad it gets varies a lot from person to person — from mild to making everyday life hard.
Source: NHS (UK)