Your hands may be susceptible to these 4 conditions
Your hands are essential to everyday life, from gripping, touching, holding to manipulating. This leaves your hands susceptible to various conditions that can cause discomfort and hinder their function.
There are four commonly diagnosed hand and wrist conditions:
1. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the palm, becomes compressed as it passes through the narrow carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring fingers.
Carpal tunnel is commonly caused by repetitive hand movements, wrist anatomy, or conditions like diabetes or pregnancy. You can effectively treat and manage the condition with activity modifications, bracing, therapy, cortisone injections and surgical interventions.
“Depending on your job duties, you may be able to return to work the next day thanks to some of the newer, minimally invasive techniques performed during the surgery,” says Dr. Matthew Willsey, an orthopedic hand surgeon at Aurora Health Care.
2. Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel on the inner side of the elbow. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers, weakness in the hand and discomfort in the elbow.
“This condition is often linked to prolonged elbow flexion, repetitive motion or direct trauma,” explains Dr. Socrates Brito, an orthopedic hand surgeon at Advocate Health Care. “If non-surgical treatments fail, surgery tends to be quite effective.”
3. Ganglion cyst
Ganglion cysts are noncancerous and fluid filled. Swelling typically forms near joints or tendons, most commonly on the wrist or hand. Ganglion cysts can cause pain, discomfort or limited movement if they press on surrounding tissues.
“The exact cause is unclear, but they may result from irritation or injury to the joint or tendon,” Dr. Brito says. “The typical options for treatment are observation, aspiration and surgery, if non-surgical options fail.”
“Aspiration removes fluid from the cyst using a fine needle,” Dr. Willsey explains. “However, aspiration isn’t always needed. Often the cyst can disappear on its own.”
4. Basal joint arthritis
Basal joint arthritis, also known as carpometacarpal arthritis, affects the joint at the base of where the thumb meets the wrist. This condition involves the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage in the joint, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness and limited thumb movement.
“The condition is most common in older adults but recently has been noted in younger patients,” Dr. Brito says. “With early diagnosis and treatment, symptoms can often be managed effectively.”
If you are experiencing symptoms of any of these conditions, it is important to consult with a health care provider for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.