Hand Pain

Introduction^1,2

Hand pain is common and can be caused by a number of things including an injury or a longer-term condition like arthritis. Symptoms caused by hand pain can vary but may include pain, swelling or pins and needles.

Depending on what causes the pain, it may appear suddenly (from an injury) or gradually over time.

Causes and Symptoms of Hand Pain

Pain in the palm or back of your hand is often caused by bruising or an injury but can be caused by a lot of things. Do not self-diagnose, please see a GP if you are worried.

Possible causes of pain in the palm of the hand
Symptoms	Possible Cause
Aching pain that’s worse at night, numbness or pins and needles, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping	Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sudden sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury	Broken bone in the hand
Pain or tenderness in your palm at the base of your fingers or thumb, stiffness, clicking when you move your finger or thumb	Trigger finger
Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, may be hard to move fingers, may have a lump	Arthritis
Possible causes of pain on the back of the hand
Symptoms	Causes
Pain, swelling and stiffness that lasts a long time, may be hard to move your fingers, may have a lump	Tendonitis or arthritis
Sudden, sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury	Broken bone in the hand
Smooth lump near a joint or tendon, may be painful	Ganglion cyst
Aching pain that’s worse at night, numbness or pins and needles, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping	Carpal tunnel syndrome
Itchy and painful skin, rash	Scabies

Treatments for hand pain

The NHS recommends reducing your movements, supporting your hands and moving the area gently for 10-20 seconds every hour in the first 24-48 hours after the pain starts. After 48 hours they recommend using your hand more and returning to your normal activities².

If your hand isn’t broken you may be able to treat the pain at home. Things you can do to help include^3,4:

Resting your hand when you can
Using an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
Take paracetamol to ease the pain
Take off any jewellery if your hand is swollen
Wrap a bandage around your hand to support it
Wear a splint to support your hand and ease pain
Gently exercise your hand and fingers to help ease pain and stiffness

Exercises for hand pain

These exercises may be helpful if you have a new hand problem, if you have been diagnosed with a hand problem, speak to your healthcare professional first⁵.

Hand wave

Do this exercise while sitting down
Place your forearm and hand on a table
Keep your hand flat on the table and move your hands sideways towards your little finger
Then move your hand back towards the middle
Then move your hand towards your thumb

Finger duck and hook

Do this exercise sitting down
Place your elbow on the table and straighten your fingers
Keep your fingers straight and bend the big knuckles, keeping the top two joints straight
Bend the middle joints and keep the top straight to make a flat fist
Bend the fingertips into a full fist
Straighten the big knuckles, keeping the tips in a hook position
Now fully straighten the fingers
Repeat

Palm up/Palm down

Keeping your shoulder and elbow still and at the side of your body
Turn your forearm so your palm faces upwards
Now turn your forearm so your palm is facing downwards
Keep your elbow tucked in at your side

Mid finger bend

Place your elbow on the table
Fully straighten your fingers
Use your other hand to hold the bottom knuckle of your fingers and bend the middle joint on its own
Fully straighten the finger