Look at pain, numbness, tingling, grip, and tasks that are becoming difficult.
OrthoFairfax · Fairfax, Virginia
Hand & Wrist Pain
Learn about hand and wrist pain, numbness, tingling, and symptoms that can affect daily tasks.
Why OrthoFairfax
A more thoughtful approach to hand & wrist pain
Care tailored to your symptoms, daily activities, and goals.
Assess tendon and nerve-related symptoms to help guide next steps.
Discuss practical non-surgical options based on the likely cause.
Consider targeted injections for selected conditions when appropriate.
A plan shaped around your priorities, with benefits, limitations, and alternatives discussed with you.
Conditions affecting the Hand & Wrist
Hand and wrist symptoms may involve tendons, joints, or nerves. Numbness, the location of pain, and which movements trigger symptoms can help guide evaluation.
Learn more
Understanding these conditions
Explore what each condition may involve and the symptoms people commonly notice.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. It can cause tingling, numbness, or pain in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, often at night.
Wrist Tendinitis / Tenosynovitis
Tendons help move the wrist and fingers, while their surrounding sheaths allow them to glide. Irritation can cause pain, tenderness, or swelling that worsens with repeated gripping or wrist motion.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
This condition affects tendons along the thumb side of the wrist. It can cause pain near the base of the thumb when lifting, gripping, twisting, or moving the thumb.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when a finger tendon does not glide smoothly through its sheath. The finger may click, catch, or lock when bending or straightening, often with tenderness near the palm.
Thumb Base Arthritis
Arthritis at the base of the thumb can cause pain and stiffness during pinching, opening jars, or turning keys. Some people notice reduced grip strength or tenderness near the thumb's base.
Ganglion Cyst
A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that often appears near a wrist joint or tendon. It may change in size and can be painless, tender, or uncomfortable with certain movements.
These descriptions are for general education. Similar symptoms can have different causes; a clinician can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Learn about hand and wrist pain, numbness, tingling, and symptoms that can affect daily tasks. Symptoms can have different causes, and a careful assessment is important before deciding what to do next.
When to consider an evaluation
Consider discussing symptoms with a healthcare professional if they persist, recur, interfere with normal activities, or are associated with swelling, stiffness, weakness, or reduced movement. The history of the problem and a physical examination help guide next steps.
What an evaluation may include
Depending on your symptoms, an evaluation may include a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and consideration of imaging or other tests when appropriate. Not every patient needs imaging, and the best test depends on the clinical question.
Understanding treatment options
Options depend on the cause and severity of symptoms, your health, and your goals. A clinician may discuss activity changes, rehabilitation, medications, selected injections, or referral for further assessment. Each option has potential benefits, limitations, and risks.
Questions to ask
- What are the likely causes of my symptoms?
- What should we do to clarify the diagnosis?
- Which treatment options are reasonable for my situation?
- What are the benefits, risks, alternatives, and expected costs?
This page provides general education only and is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Sudden severe symptoms, major injury, inability to use or bear weight on the affected area, or new significant weakness may need urgent medical assessment.
Content review: This page must be reviewed by the practice clinician before publication. Add a verified reviewer and review date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions. Your clinician can help apply this information to your individual situation.
What can cause hand or wrist pain and numbness?
Possible causes include tendon irritation, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and other nerve conditions. The fingers involved, timing, and activities that worsen symptoms help guide evaluation.
How do I know if hand tingling could be carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome often causes tingling or numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, sometimes at night. Other nerve problems can feel similar, so an assessment may be needed.
When should I seek care for hand or wrist symptoms?
Arrange an evaluation for persistent pain, recurring numbness, catching or locking, or reduced grip. Sudden weakness, major injury, a deformity, or a hand that becomes cold or discolored needs urgent assessment.
Will I need nerve testing or imaging?
Many problems can initially be assessed through history and examination. Depending on the suspected cause, a clinician may consider X-rays, ultrasound, nerve testing, or other imaging.
What non-surgical options are available?
Depending on the diagnosis, options may include activity changes, splinting, exercises, therapy, medication when appropriate, or selected injections. The choice should reflect symptom severity and your goals.
This information is for general education and is not a substitute for an individualized medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
ORTHOFAIRFAX · FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
Questions about hand and wrist pain?
Contact OrthoFairfax to ask about scheduling and the next step for your concern.