Wrist and Hand Pain

General Information

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Wrist and Hand Pain

Alternatively visit our Neck, Shoulder or Elbow resource pages or Back to Resources Home

Wrist and hand pain is very common and can affect people at any age. Although this can be very painful, it is usually not caused by serious damage.

What causes wrist or hand pain?

Some possible causes of wrist and hand pain are:

  • an injury or fall that leads to a sprain or a strain
  • repetitive or overuse injuries of the muscles or tendons of the wrist or hand
  • age-related changes, also known as osteoarthritis.
  • sudden changes in activity levels – such as doing much more than usual or being much less active
  • poor sleep, stress, feeling low or very tired can also make pain worse
  • specific conditions such as: carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis or rheumatoid arthritis

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can be different for everyone. You may experience:

  • pain in the wrist, hand, fingers or thumbs
  • reduced movement or stiffness, such as difficulty bending or straightening the fingers
  • a weaker grip
  • swelling or tenderness of the fingers, hand or wrist.
  • pain when lifting or gripping
  • tingling or numbness in the hand

Self Help

Most new wrist, hand or finger pain gets better within 6-8 weeks. Following some of these useful tips can help with your recovery:

  • change activity levels – don’t stop completely but changing or reducing your activity levels can help at first
  • keep the wrist and hand moving – gentle movement helps prevent stiffness and won’t cause harm
  • use simple pain relief – ask a pharmacist or GP for advice before taking
  • look after your sleep and stress – both can affect how much pain you feel
  • stay at work or return as soon as you can – your employer or GP can help with adjustments
  • try gentle exercises – moving regularly and doing simple exercises can help
  • use heat or ice – a heat pack, hot water bottle or ice pack can ease pain (don’t put this onto bare skin)
  • warm water soaks - soaking your hands in warm water can help reduce pain and stiffness (make sure the water isn’t too hot)

Should I refer myself to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy may help if:

  • your wrist or hand pain is not improving after a few weeks despite the above advice
  • pain is affecting your work or daily activities
  • you are struggling with gripping or lifting
  • you experience recurrent episodes of wrist or hand pain

If you have tried the self-help measures on these pages and the symptoms have not settled, you can self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy if you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

For more information on how to self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy visit our Service Page.

When should I seek urgent medical advice?

Wrist and hand pain is rarely serious, however go to Accident & Emergency or an Urgent Care Centre now if you have:

  • pain or difficulty moving the wrist, hand or fingers/thumb following a fall or injury
  • a visible deformity of the wrist, hand or fingers/thumb
  • significant swelling, redness or heat around the joint with a fever
  • a sudden loss of power or sensation affecting the hand
  • a loss of or reduced sensation in both hands, associated with increasing clumsiness or difficulty performing finer tasks or activities (e.g. doing up buttons / handling money)

Contact your GP or call 111 urgently if you have:

  • new, unexplained wrist or hand pain, with a history of cancer, HIV, TB or inflammatory arthritis
  • hand or wrist pain along with feeling unwell, a loss of appetite, fever, unexplained weight loss or night sweats
  • pain affecting both of your hands with a lot of stiffness in the morning

Remember

Most wrist and hand pain will improve with time, gentle movement and a gradual return to normal activities.

Useful Resources

Advice and Information Leaflets

Leaflets:

Information on Hand Conditions:

  • Hand Conditions - Website (The British Society for Surgery of the Hand - BSSH)'

Advice and Information Videos

Videos:

Urgent / Out of Hours Health Care

If in doubt which service is best for you, call 111 for advice or visit LLR ICB Urgent Health Care for more information.

Need information for a different body area?

Visit our Neck, Shoulder or Elbow resource pages or Back to Resources Home.

Back to MSK Service Page

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