Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Nerve pain in the hands and fingers is the result of direct or indirect damage to theradial nerve,ulnar nerve,median nerve, orbranchial plexusnerve root. There are three main causes of damage:
Identifying the causes of nerve pain may involve functional movement tests, imaging studies, and nerve conduction tests. Treatment options include rest, splinting, physical therapy, medications, and specialist procedures like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
The article looks at the causes of nerve pain in the hands and fingers and explains what is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of the various nerve-associated conditions.
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What Causes Nerve Pain Issues in Hands?
The anatomy of the hand is complex, comprised of bone, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves that regulate sensation and movement. It is because of this complexity that there’s a great deal of variation in the characteristics of nerve pain and the conditions that cause them.
Pinched Nerve
Impingement of the nerves in the hand can lead to pain, numbness, andtingling. A variety of conditions can cause apinched nerve, including injury or arthritis, though it’s most often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. It’s more common in adults over 50 but can affect people of any age.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This syndrome can arise due to overuse of the hand, during pregnancy, or from chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathyrefers to damaged nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord. In the hands, this condition can lead to muscle weakness, numbness, and loss of coordination, in addition to pain.
Causes of peripheral neuropathy vary, including injury, autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and infections.
De Quervain’s Disease
Also known asde Quervain’s tenosynovitisorstenosing tenosynovitis, this is nerve damage due to the inflammation of tendons in the hand and thumb. It occurs when the sheath of the tendon connecting the thumb and the wrist becomes inflamed, leading to pain, weakness, swelling, and a “grating” feeling in the wrist.
It can occur due to injury or repetitive hand motions that pressure the thumb, as in knitting, lifting heavy objects, or activities involving extreme hand squeezing.
Trigger Finger
Trigger fingerand trigger thumb are forms of tendonitis that affect the index finger and thumb, respectively. This condition’s primary symptom is catching or locking of the affected finger when it’s straightened or bent.
Dupuytren’s Disease
Sometimes referred to asDupuytren’s contracture, this is an abnormal thickening and hardening of tissue in the hand, which can lead to nerve pain and severely limit function.
When the tendons in the hand and palm become affected (a condition calledpalmar fasciitis), this causes fingers to become bent and difficult to straighten.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Ganglion Cysts
The development of these fluid-filled sacs on the hands and wrists can also cause nerve pain. The most common type of growth seen in this part of the body,ganglion cystsare noncancerous. They often go away on their own, though treatment may become necessary.
These emerge in the joints—often affecting the wrist, specifically—and can become problematic when they impact the nerves, affecting function and causing pain.
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis,osteoarthritisis the progressive breaking down of the cartilage surrounding joints due to aging and natural wear and tear. This causes inflammation, impacting the nerves of the hands and disrupting their function.
Hand osteoarthritis can lead to stiffness and discomfort which can severely disrupt hand motion and function.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system erroneously attacks the joints,rheumatoid arthritisis another cause of nerve pain in the hands. It leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling, sometimes severely disfiguring fingers.
When left untreated, it can cause peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Diabetes
Among the many effects oftype 2 diabetesis nerve pain in the hands. Nerve damage occurs as a result of blood sugar levels being elevated for prolonged periods of time. The symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
It’s good to be proactive if you’re feeling nerve pain, tingling, or other symptoms in your hands. Seek medical help if your symptoms are affecting your ability to function or do daily tasks, especially if you don’t know what’s causing the discomfort. In most cases, the sooner you’re managing or treating a condition, the better off you’ll be.
The signs that it is time to call your healthcare provider include:
Diagnosis of Hand Nerve Pain
Given the wide range of conditions associated with nerve pain in the hand, diagnosis can be complex and multifaceted. It involves a thorough examination of medical history, a physical examination, and possibly imaging studies.
Labs and Tests
Evaluation for nerve hand pain always begins with physical and functional testing, alongside an assessment of overall health. The specific approach depends on the case, but it typically includes:
In addition to physical examination, several other tests may be called for to assess nerve health:
Imaging
While physical examination and testing are enough to diagnose some cases, other patients require imaging for confirmation or to aid in treatment. These methods include:
Differential Diagnosis
In addition to conditions causing direct damage to nerves in the hands, a couple of others may also cause these symptoms, including:
Additional testing may be necessary if these are suspected, and, of course, a heart attack is a medical emergency.
What Treatments Help With Nerve Pain in Hands?
Treatment approaches for nerve pain in the hand vary a great deal based on the specific case and the underlying condition. In many cases, managing pain may start with home remedies. However, medications, complementary treatments, or even surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
Depending on the specific case, management of the condition may involve a combination of approaches.
Lifestyle Treatment Options
There are many approaches you can try at home to help with nerve pain. These include:
Medications
As with many conditions involving pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such asibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can be helpful in relieving pain.
Prescribed pharmaceuticals include:
Procedures and Therapy
If medication and at-home management don’t succeed in resolving nerve pain in the hand, there are other options that can be attempted prior to surgery.
These include:
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
Vitamin B12 supplementsare also thought to help. It is well known that vitamin B12 deficiency can cause peripheral neuropathy when severe. Some practitioners believe that vitamin B12 supplements can help reverse this.
The 8 Best B12 Supplements, According to a Dietitian
Surgery
Surgery is typically reserved when all other options have failed to provide relief. Surgery is generally performed on anoutpatient basisand may include:
How to Prevent Nerve Pain Issues
18 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.Ginsberg L.Acute and chronic neuropathies.Medicine (Abingdon).2020 Sep;48(9):612–8. doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.06.009National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Pinched nerve.Genova A, Dix O, Saefan A, Thakur M, Hassan A.Carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of literature.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7333. doi:10.7759/cureus.7333National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tendinosis.Adams JE, Habbu R.Tendinopathies of the hand and wrist.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-750. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00216Sood A, Paik A, Lee E.Dupuytren’s contracture.Eplasty. 2013;13:ic1.Staples JR, Calfee R.Cubital tunnel syndrome: current concepts.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(10):e215-e224. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00261American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Dahlin HB, Wiberg M.Nerve injuries of the upper extremity and hand.EFORT Open Rev.2017 May;2(5):158–70. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160071American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Nerve injury.Fornasar D.Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain: a review.Pain Ther.2017 Dec;6(Suppl 1):25–33. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0091-4Ural F, Öztürk G.The acupuncture effect on median nerve morphology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: an ultrasonographic study.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017:1-5. doi:10.1155/2017/7420648Didangelos T, Karlaft E, Kotzakioulafi E, Margariti E.Vitamin B12 supplementation in diabetic neuropathy: A 1-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients.2021 Feb;13(2):395. doi:10.3390/nu13020395
18 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.Ginsberg L.Acute and chronic neuropathies.Medicine (Abingdon).2020 Sep;48(9):612–8. doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.06.009National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Pinched nerve.Genova A, Dix O, Saefan A, Thakur M, Hassan A.Carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of literature.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7333. doi:10.7759/cureus.7333National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tendinosis.Adams JE, Habbu R.Tendinopathies of the hand and wrist.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-750. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00216Sood A, Paik A, Lee E.Dupuytren’s contracture.Eplasty. 2013;13:ic1.Staples JR, Calfee R.Cubital tunnel syndrome: current concepts.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(10):e215-e224. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00261American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Dahlin HB, Wiberg M.Nerve injuries of the upper extremity and hand.EFORT Open Rev.2017 May;2(5):158–70. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160071American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Nerve injury.Fornasar D.Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain: a review.Pain Ther.2017 Dec;6(Suppl 1):25–33. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0091-4Ural F, Öztürk G.The acupuncture effect on median nerve morphology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: an ultrasonographic study.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017:1-5. doi:10.1155/2017/7420648Didangelos T, Karlaft E, Kotzakioulafi E, Margariti E.Vitamin B12 supplementation in diabetic neuropathy: A 1-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients.2021 Feb;13(2):395. doi:10.3390/nu13020395
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.
Ginsberg L.Acute and chronic neuropathies.Medicine (Abingdon).2020 Sep;48(9):612–8. doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.06.009National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Pinched nerve.Genova A, Dix O, Saefan A, Thakur M, Hassan A.Carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of literature.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7333. doi:10.7759/cureus.7333National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tendinosis.Adams JE, Habbu R.Tendinopathies of the hand and wrist.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-750. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00216Sood A, Paik A, Lee E.Dupuytren’s contracture.Eplasty. 2013;13:ic1.Staples JR, Calfee R.Cubital tunnel syndrome: current concepts.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(10):e215-e224. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00261American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Rheumatoid arthritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.Dahlin HB, Wiberg M.Nerve injuries of the upper extremity and hand.EFORT Open Rev.2017 May;2(5):158–70. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160071American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Nerve injury.Fornasar D.Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain: a review.Pain Ther.2017 Dec;6(Suppl 1):25–33. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0091-4Ural F, Öztürk G.The acupuncture effect on median nerve morphology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: an ultrasonographic study.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017:1-5. doi:10.1155/2017/7420648Didangelos T, Karlaft E, Kotzakioulafi E, Margariti E.Vitamin B12 supplementation in diabetic neuropathy: A 1-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients.2021 Feb;13(2):395. doi:10.3390/nu13020395
Ginsberg L.Acute and chronic neuropathies.Medicine (Abingdon).2020 Sep;48(9):612–8. doi:10.1016/j.mpmed.2020.06.009
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Pinched nerve.
Genova A, Dix O, Saefan A, Thakur M, Hassan A.Carpal tunnel syndrome: a review of literature.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7333. doi:10.7759/cureus.7333
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tendinosis.
Adams JE, Habbu R.Tendinopathies of the hand and wrist.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-750. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00216
Sood A, Paik A, Lee E.Dupuytren’s contracture.Eplasty. 2013;13:ic1.
Staples JR, Calfee R.Cubital tunnel syndrome: current concepts.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(10):e215-e224. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00261
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Ganglion cyst of the wrist and hand.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis of the hands.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Rheumatoid arthritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes and nerve damage.
Dahlin HB, Wiberg M.Nerve injuries of the upper extremity and hand.EFORT Open Rev.2017 May;2(5):158–70. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.2.160071
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Nerve injury.
Fornasar D.Pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain: a review.Pain Ther.2017 Dec;6(Suppl 1):25–33. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0091-4
Ural F, Öztürk G.The acupuncture effect on median nerve morphology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: an ultrasonographic study.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017:1-5. doi:10.1155/2017/7420648
Didangelos T, Karlaft E, Kotzakioulafi E, Margariti E.Vitamin B12 supplementation in diabetic neuropathy: A 1-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Nutrients.2021 Feb;13(2):395. doi:10.3390/nu13020395
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