Hand · Condition 01
Basal Joint Osteoarthritis
Overview
Osteoarthritis is wear-related loss of protective joint cartilage in the hand/wrist, which can lead to inflammation, stiffness and reduced motion.
Causes
Age, prior injury, repetitive loading, genetics and joint alignment can contribute to cartilage breakdown.
Symptoms
Symptoms often include activity-related pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion and difficulty with everyday activities.
Treatment
Treatment may include activity modification, exercise or physical therapy, medication or injections; advanced arthritis may be treated surgically when appropriate.
Hand · Condition 02
Boutonniere Deformity
Overview
Boutonnière deformity is a finger posture caused by injury or disease of the tendon system that straightens the middle finger joint.
Causes
It can follow trauma, tendon laceration or inflammatory arthritis.
Symptoms
The middle joint bends while the fingertip may hyperextend, and stiffness can develop over time.
Treatment
Early treatment often uses splinting and hand therapy; chronic or severe deformity may require surgery.
Hand · Condition 03
Boxer's Fracture
Overview
This injury is a break in one or more bones involving the hand/wrist. The pattern and displacement of the fracture determine its stability and treatment.
Causes
Fractures may follow a fall, direct blow, twisting injury, sports injury or high-energy trauma; weakened bone can increase risk.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and difficulty moving or bearing weight are common. Deformity may occur with displaced fractures.
Treatment
Treatment depends on alignment and stability and can range from immobilization and protected activity to surgical fixation.
Hand · Condition 04
Colles Fractures
Overview
This injury is a break in one or more bones involving the hand/wrist. The pattern and displacement of the fracture determine its stability and treatment.
Causes
Fractures may follow a fall, direct blow, twisting injury, sports injury or high-energy trauma; weakened bone can increase risk.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and difficulty moving or bearing weight are common. Deformity may occur with displaced fractures.
Treatment
Treatment depends on alignment and stability and can range from immobilization and protected activity to surgical fixation.
Hand · Condition 05
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Overview
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that can develop after an injury, surgery or immobilization and is out of proportion to the original problem.
Causes
The exact mechanism is complex and involves abnormal nerve and inflammatory responses.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include intense pain, sensitivity, swelling, temperature or color changes, stiffness and changes in skin or sweating.
Treatment
Early multidisciplinary treatment is important and may include therapy, pain-focused medication and specialist pain management.
Hand · Condition 06
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Overview
De Quervain tenosynovitis is irritation of tendons along the thumb side of the wrist.
Causes
Repetitive gripping, lifting and thumb motion can contribute to tendon-sheath inflammation.
Symptoms
Pain and tenderness occur near the base of the thumb and may worsen with gripping or wrist movement.
Treatment
Treatment can include activity modification, splinting, medication or injection; resistant cases may be treated surgically.
Hand · Condition 07
Digital Mucous Cysts
Overview
This condition is a fluid-filled cyst that develops near a joint or tendon around the hand/wrist.
Causes
The exact cause is often unclear, but the cyst is connected to joint or tendon-sheath fluid.
Symptoms
A visible lump may fluctuate in size and can be painless or cause aching, pressure or limited motion.
Treatment
Observation is reasonable for painless cysts; aspiration or surgical removal may be considered when symptoms persist.
Hand · Condition 08
Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist)
Overview
This injury is a break in one or more bones involving the hand/wrist. The pattern and displacement of the fracture determine its stability and treatment.
Causes
Fractures may follow a fall, direct blow, twisting injury, sports injury or high-energy trauma; weakened bone can increase risk.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and difficulty moving or bearing weight are common. Deformity may occur with displaced fractures.
Treatment
Treatment depends on alignment and stability and can range from immobilization and protected activity to surgical fixation.
Hand · Condition 09
Dupuytren's Disease
Overview
Dupuytren disease causes tissue beneath the skin of the palm to thicken and form cords that can pull one or more fingers into a bent position.
Causes
The exact cause is unknown, although age, genetics and certain health factors can increase risk.
Symptoms
People may notice firm nodules or cords in the palm and progressive difficulty straightening affected fingers.
Treatment
Mild cases may be observed; more limiting contractures can be treated with procedures that release or remove the tight tissue.
Hand · Condition 10
Finger Dislocation
Overview
This injury occurs when bones at or near the hand/wrist are forced out of their normal relationship.
Causes
A fall, collision, sports injury or other trauma is a common cause; prior instability can increase recurrence risk.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include sudden pain, deformity, swelling, limited motion or a feeling of instability.
Treatment
Treatment may require urgent reduction, immobilization and rehabilitation; recurrent or structurally severe injuries may need surgery.
Hand · Condition 11
Finger Felon
Overview
This is an infection of the soft tissues of the finger, usually near the nail or fingertip.
Causes
Bacteria can enter through a small cut, hangnail, puncture or other break in the skin.
Symptoms
Pain, redness, warmth, swelling and sometimes pus are common.
Treatment
Early infections may be treated with local care or antibiotics; an abscess may need drainage and prompt medical evaluation.
Hand · Condition 12
Fingertip Injuries
Overview
Fingertip Injuries is an orthopaedic condition involving the hand/wrist. Its effect on movement and function depends on the tissues involved and the severity of the problem.
Causes
Causes vary and may include injury, repetitive stress, inflammation, age-related change or underlying medical conditions.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness or reduced motion around the hand/wrist.
Treatment
Treatment is individualized after evaluation and may include activity modification, rehabilitation, medication, injection or surgery when appropriate.
Hand · Condition 13
Flexor Tendon Injuries
Overview
This condition involves partial or complete injury of a tendon around the hand/wrist.
Causes
Tendon tears may follow a sudden force or develop in tissue weakened by degeneration and repetitive use.
Symptoms
Pain, weakness, swelling and loss of normal function can occur; complete ruptures may produce a sudden pop or major strength loss.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the tendon, severity and activity needs and may include immobilization, rehabilitation or surgical repair.
Hand · Condition 14
Fractures of the Hand (Metacarpal Fractures)
Overview
This injury is a break in one or more bones involving the hand/wrist. The pattern and displacement of the fracture determine its stability and treatment.
Causes
Fractures may follow a fall, direct blow, twisting injury, sports injury or high-energy trauma; weakened bone can increase risk.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and difficulty moving or bearing weight are common. Deformity may occur with displaced fractures.
Treatment
Treatment depends on alignment and stability and can range from immobilization and protected activity to surgical fixation.
Hand · Condition 15
Ganglion Cysts of the Hand
Overview
This condition is a fluid-filled cyst that develops near a joint or tendon around the hand/wrist.
Causes
The exact cause is often unclear, but the cyst is connected to joint or tendon-sheath fluid.
Symptoms
A visible lump may fluctuate in size and can be painless or cause aching, pressure or limited motion.
Treatment
Observation is reasonable for painless cysts; aspiration or surgical removal may be considered when symptoms persist.
Hand · Condition 16
Kienbock's Disease
Overview
Kienböck disease occurs when blood supply to the lunate, a small wrist bone, is reduced and the bone begins to weaken.
Causes
The exact cause is not always known and may involve anatomy, repetitive stress or prior injury.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include wrist pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced grip strength and tenderness.
Treatment
Treatment depends on disease stage and may range from immobilization and monitoring to reconstructive surgery.
Hand · Condition 17
Mallet Finger
Overview
Mallet finger occurs when the tendon that straightens the end joint of a finger is injured, sometimes with a small fracture.
Causes
It commonly follows a direct blow to the fingertip that forces it to bend.
Symptoms
The fingertip droops and cannot be actively straightened, with swelling or tenderness near the end joint.
Treatment
Most cases are treated with continuous splinting; surgery is reserved for selected fractures or unstable injuries.
Hand · Condition 18
Nerve Injuries of the Hand
Overview
Nerve injury in the hand/wrist can affect sensation, muscle control or both, depending on which nerve fibers are damaged.
Causes
Cuts, crush injuries, stretching, fractures and compression can injure a nerve.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness or loss of fine motor control.
Treatment
Treatment depends on severity and may include observation, therapy, splinting or microsurgical nerve repair.
Hand · Condition 19
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Overview
Osteoarthritis is wear-related loss of protective joint cartilage in the hand/wrist, which can lead to inflammation, stiffness and reduced motion.
Causes
Age, prior injury, repetitive loading, genetics and joint alignment can contribute to cartilage breakdown.
Symptoms
Symptoms often include activity-related pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion and difficulty with everyday activities.
Treatment
Treatment may include activity modification, exercise or physical therapy, medication or injections; advanced arthritis may be treated surgically when appropriate.
Hand · Condition 20
Osteomyelitis
Overview
Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone that can develop when bacteria reach bone through the bloodstream, a nearby wound or surgery.
Causes
Risk is higher with open injuries, recent surgery, poor circulation or certain chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include deep pain, swelling, warmth, fever or drainage from a wound.
Treatment
Prompt medical evaluation is important. Treatment commonly uses antibiotics and may require surgery to remove infected or damaged tissue.
Hand · Condition 21
Paronychia
Overview
This is an infection of the soft tissues of the finger, usually near the nail or fingertip.
Causes
Bacteria can enter through a small cut, hangnail, puncture or other break in the skin.
Symptoms
Pain, redness, warmth, swelling and sometimes pus are common.
Treatment
Early infections may be treated with local care or antibiotics; an abscess may need drainage and prompt medical evaluation.
Hand · Condition 22
Polydactyly of the Hand
Overview
Polydactyly is a congenital condition in which a hand develops with an additional finger or part of a finger.
Causes
It results from differences in limb development before birth and can occur alone or as part of a genetic syndrome.
Symptoms
The extra digit may be small and soft-tissue based or contain fully formed bone and joints.
Treatment
Treatment depends on anatomy and function and may involve observation or planned surgical reconstruction.
Hand · Condition 23
Raynaud's Phenomenon and Disease
Overview
Raynaud phenomenon causes temporary narrowing of blood vessels in the fingers, often in response to cold or stress.
Causes
It may occur on its own or be associated with another medical condition.
Symptoms
Fingers may turn white or blue, feel cold or numb, and then become red or painful as blood flow returns.
Treatment
Management focuses on avoiding triggers and treating any underlying condition; medication is sometimes used for more severe symptoms.
Hand · Condition 24
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Hand
Overview
Inflammatory arthritis can cause persistent inflammation of the hand/wrist joint lining and may gradually damage cartilage and bone.
Causes
These conditions are driven by an abnormal immune response and may affect multiple joints.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness and loss of motion are common, often with prolonged morning stiffness.
Treatment
Care may involve a rheumatology treatment plan plus therapy, medication, injections or orthopaedic surgery for severe joint damage.
Hand · Condition 25
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of the Hand (Arthritis Foundation Approved)
Overview
Inflammatory arthritis can cause persistent inflammation of the hand/wrist joint lining and may gradually damage cartilage and bone.
Causes
These conditions are driven by an abnormal immune response and may affect multiple joints.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness and loss of motion are common, often with prolonged morning stiffness.
Treatment
Care may involve a rheumatology treatment plan plus therapy, medication, injections or orthopaedic surgery for severe joint damage.
Hand · Condition 26
Scaphoid Fractures
Overview
This injury is a break in one or more bones involving the hand/wrist. The pattern and displacement of the fracture determine its stability and treatment.
Causes
Fractures may follow a fall, direct blow, twisting injury, sports injury or high-energy trauma; weakened bone can increase risk.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness and difficulty moving or bearing weight are common. Deformity may occur with displaced fractures.
Treatment
Treatment depends on alignment and stability and can range from immobilization and protected activity to surgical fixation.
Hand · Condition 27
Swan Neck Deformity
Overview
Swan neck deformity is an abnormal finger posture in which the middle joint hyperextends while the fingertip bends.
Causes
It may develop from rheumatoid arthritis, tendon imbalance, ligament injury or chronic joint disease.
Symptoms
The deformity can cause pain, stiffness and difficulty with grip or fine hand function.
Treatment
Treatment may include splinting and therapy; surgery is considered when deformity is fixed or function is significantly limited.
Hand · Condition 28
Syndactyly of the Hand
Overview
Syndactyly is a congenital condition in which two or more fingers are joined together by skin and sometimes deeper tissues.
Causes
It develops before birth when the fingers do not fully separate.
Symptoms
The appearance and effect on function depend on which fingers and tissues are involved.
Treatment
Surgical separation may be recommended in childhood when needed to improve growth, motion or hand function.
Hand · Condition 29
Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
Overview
This condition involves sprain or tearing of a ligament that helps stabilize the hand/wrist.
Causes
It commonly follows a sudden twist, fall, collision or force that pushes the joint beyond its normal range.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling and instability are common, and some people notice a pop at the time of injury.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the ligament and severity and can include bracing, rehabilitation or reconstructive surgery for significant instability.
Hand · Condition 30
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Tears
Overview
A TFCC tear affects a cartilage-and-ligament complex on the small-finger side of the wrist that helps stabilize the forearm and wrist.
Causes
It may follow a fall or twisting injury or develop gradually from wear.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include ulnar-sided wrist pain, clicking, weakness and pain with rotation or gripping.
Treatment
Treatment may include bracing, medication and therapy; persistent symptomatic tears may be treated arthroscopically.
Hand · Condition 31
Trigger Digit
Overview
Trigger digit occurs when a finger tendon catches as it moves through its sheath, causing the finger to click, lock or become difficult to straighten.
Causes
Tendon thickening and narrowing of the surrounding pulley can develop with repetitive use or certain medical conditions.
Symptoms
Symptoms include tenderness at the base of the finger, clicking and intermittent locking.
Treatment
Treatment may include activity modification, splinting or injection; persistent locking can be treated with a release procedure.
Hand · Condition 32
Volar Plate Injuries
Overview
This is a soft-tissue injury involving ligaments that stabilize a joint in the hand/wrist.
Causes
A fall, forced bending or twisting injury can stretch or tear the supporting ligaments.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising and reduced motion are common; more severe injuries may feel unstable.
Treatment
Treatment may include protection, splinting and rehabilitation; significant instability or associated fracture may require specialist treatment.
Hand · Condition 33
Wrist Sprain
Overview
This is a soft-tissue injury involving ligaments that stabilize a joint in the hand/wrist.
Causes
A fall, forced bending or twisting injury can stretch or tear the supporting ligaments.
Symptoms
Pain, swelling, bruising and reduced motion are common; more severe injuries may feel unstable.
Treatment
Treatment may include protection, splinting and rehabilitation; significant instability or associated fracture may require specialist treatment.
