Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhat to DoGetting a Referral
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
What to Do
Getting a Referral
Hands locking up can be a symptom of various medical conditions, or occur as a side effect of anxiety. Common causes of hands locking up include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture, and trigger finger. These conditions can also cause pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily tasks.
This article discusses hands locking up—potential causes, related symptoms, what to do about it, and when to seek medical attention.
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Why Are My Hands Locking Up?
Hands locking up can occur with several different medical conditions or be related to anxiety. Sometimes, hand cramps can occur from low levels of magnesium or calcium.
Here are some common causes of hands locking up.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritisis a condition that occurs when the body mistakenly identifies its own structures as foreign and launches an attack. This condition affects joints throughout the body and can cause symmetrical symptoms as it develops, meaning it may affect both hands at the same time.
Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is not a condition that affects the whole body all at once, but it can occur in more than one joint at a time. If this is the cause of hands locking up, it often affects a specific joint in a specific finger.
Other symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:
Anxiety
Anxiety andanxiety disorderscan cause a variety of physical symptoms, including feeling like the hands are locking up. This can occur during apanic attack, along with other symptoms, such as:
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture(also called Dupuytren’s disease) is a hereditary condition that causes hands to lock up.This condition causes the fascia in the palm of the hand to progressively thicken and shorten.
The condition begins with nodules that form in the palm. Over time, the fingers can be drawn in toward the palm and become stuck in a bent position. Early on, nodules from Dupuytren’s disease can be tender to the touch. However, this pain typically goes away with time.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when the tendon, sheath, or pulley becomes inflamed, causing the tendon to “catch” as the affected finger bends and straightens.
In severe cases, inflammation can cause the finger to lock up—either in a bent or straight position.
Other symptoms of trigger finger can include:
Hand Locking and Related SymptomsDepending on the underlying cause, locking of structures within the hand can occur with other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
Hand Locking and Related Symptoms
Depending on the underlying cause, locking of structures within the hand can occur with other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
What to Do About Hands Locking Up
Treatment for hands locking up depends on the underlying cause. However, gentle range of motion exercises can often be helpful. If exercises cause pain or make the locking up worse, stop them and consult a healthcare provider.
Additional treatments for locking hands can include moist heat or ice, splinting, stretching, strengthening exercises, and activity modification, depending on the underlying cause.
Getting a Referral for Hand and Finger Symptoms
It’s important to identify the cause of fingers locking up to determine the best treatment. Consult your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms.Blood testsandX-raysare often used to help diagnose conditions that can cause this symptom.
Summary
Hands locking up can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s contracture, and trigger finger. It can also occur as a side effect of anxiety. Other symptoms can occur along with locking hands, such as pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
Blood tests and X-rays are often used to help diagnose the underlying cause of hands locking up. Treatment frequently includes range of motion exercises and activity modification. In severe cases, surgery might be required.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Havard Health Publishing.On call: Remedies for hand cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis (OA).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupytren’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand and finger exercises.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Havard Health Publishing.On call: Remedies for hand cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis (OA).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupytren’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand and finger exercises.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Havard Health Publishing.On call: Remedies for hand cramps.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis (OA).National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupytren’s disease.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand and finger exercises.
Havard Health Publishing.On call: Remedies for hand cramps.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis (OA).
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupytren’s disease.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand and finger exercises.
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