Hand and Wrist Injuries and Disorders

Think of your hand and wrist like a little team working together. Your wrist has 8 small bones called carpal bones arranged in two rows. These connect the long bones in your forearm (the radius and ulna) to your hand. In your palm, there are 5 bones called metacarpals, and your fingers have 14 bones called phalanges. The bones are held together by ligaments, which are strong and stretchy like rubber bands, and moved by tendons, which are like ropes connecting muscles to bones. When you curl your fingers into a fist, the flexor tendons on the palm side pull them in. To straighten them, the extensor tendons on the back of your hand take over. Nerves, like the median nerve that runs through your wrist, send signals to your brain so you can feel things like heat, cold, or pain. Blood vessels keep everything alive by delivering oxygen and nutrients. If any part of this system gets hurt, it can cause pain, swelling, or trouble moving your hand.

Hand and wrist injuries can happen suddenly (like a fall) or slowly (from overuse). Here are some common ones:

1. Broken Bones (Fractures)

• If you are falling and use your hands to catch yourself, you may fracture the radius bone on the inside of your wrist (Colles’ fracture). This immediately hurts, causes swelling, and often results in a deformed wrist.
• The scaphoid bone (a small bone near your thumb) is also easy to break during sports. It might feel like a mild wrist ache at first, but it needs treatment to heal properly.

2. Sprains and Strains

• A wrist sprain happens when ligaments stretch or tear, often from twisting your wrist. It feels like a sharp pain when you move it.
• Skier’s thumb is a sprain of the ligament at the base of the thumb, common if you fall while holding something (like ski poles).

3. Tendon Troubles

• Trigger finger occurs when a tendon in your finger swells and gets stuck, making your finger lock in a bent position. It’s common in people who grip tools tightly.
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis causes pain near your thumb, especially when you twist or lift things. New parents often get this from picking up babies repeatedly.

4. Nerve Issues

• Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in your wrist gets squeezed. You might feel numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, and middle fingers, especially at night.
• Cubital tunnel syndrome affects the ulnar nerve at your elbow, causing tingling in your ring and pinky fingers (like when you hit your “funny bone”).

5. Arthritis

• Osteoarthritis is “wear-and-tear” arthritis that makes joints stiff and painful, often in older adults.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, causing swelling and deformities.

Other Injuries or Disorders:

• Boutonnière Deformity
• Compartment Syndrome
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
• Dupuytren’s Contracture
• Ganglion Cyst of the Wrist and Hand
• Kienböck’s Disease
  • Kiënbock’s Disease Treatment
• Mallet Finger
• Mucous Cyst
• Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome of the Wrist
• Volar Retinacular Cyst
• Arthritis of the Hand, Thumb and Wrist

Hand and wrist problems can come from:

• Accidents: Falling, sports injuries, or crushing your hand.
• Repetitive motions: Typing, texting, knitting, or using tools for hours without   breaks.
• Health conditions: Diabetes, thyroid issues, or being overweight can increase swelling or nerve pressure.
• Aging: Over time, tendons lose flexibility, and joints wear down.

How do you know if you’ve hurt your hand or wrist? Watch for:

• Pain that’s sharp (like a fracture) or dull and achy (like arthritis).
• Swelling or bruising around the injury.
• Stiffness when you try to move your fingers or wrist.
• Numbness or tingling (common in nerve issues).
• Weakness—like struggling to open a jar or hold a pen.
• Odd shapes: A bent finger or wrist could mean a broken bone.

• Pain doesn’t improve after a few days of rest.
• You can’t move your hand or wrist.
• Numbness lasts for hours.
• The area looks red or feels hot (signs of infection).

Preventing injuries is easier than fixing them! Try these tips:

1. Take breaks every 20–30 minutes if you’re typing, gaming, or doing repetitive tasks. Shake out your hands and stretch your fingers.
2. Use ergonomic tools: A padded mouse, keyboard wrist rest, or jar opener can reduce strain.
3. Strengthen your hands: Squeeze a stress ball or practice picking up small objects (like coins) to build muscle.
4. Protect your wrists: Wear gloves or wrist guards during sports like biking or skateboarding.
5. Listen to your body: If an activity hurts, stop and rest. Don’t “push through” pain.

Your hands are one of your most important tools—and they deserve care! Small changes, like stretching your wrists or using the right tools, can prevent big problems. If you do get hurt, don’t ignore it. Early treatment (like a splint or therapy) often leads to a full recovery. It’s never too late to start protecting your hands. Whether you’re 15 or 85, healthy hands make life easier and happier.

Our goal at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) is to provide our patients quality, cutting-edge orthopedic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical. If you have questions or concerns about hand or wrist pain, please submit an online appointment request to visit one of our three clinic locations in Fort Worth, Mansfield, or Decatur.