Swelling or tightness in the hand or wrist – Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes:

• Injury: Sprains, strains, fractures, or dislocations can cause swelling and tightness.
• Overuse: Repetitive motions can lead to tendonitis (inflammation of tendons) or carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve).
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (wear and tear) or rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease) can cause joint swelling, pain, and stiffness.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, pain, and sometimes swelling.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.
• Ganglion Cyst: A fluid-filled cyst that can develop on the wrist or hand. Usually painless but can cause swelling or pressure.
• Infections: Infections of the hand or wrist can cause swelling, redness, pain, and warmth.
• Lymphedema: Fluid buildup in the hand or wrist can cause swelling, often after surgery or radiation therapy.
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A condition that affects blood flow to the fingers and toes, causing them to feel numb, cold, and sometimes swollen.

Diagnosis:

• Physical Exam: Careful examination of the hand and wrist, noting any swelling, redness, tenderness, range of motion limitations, and deformities.
• Patient History: Gathering information about the onset of symptoms, any injuries, repetitive activities, other medical conditions, and medications.
• Imaging:
  • X-rays: To rule out fractures or arthritis.
  • MRI: May be used to visualize soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
  • Ultrasound: Can be used to evaluate tendons and other soft tissues.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: Used to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment:

• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the hand or wrist.
• Ice/Heat: Applying ice or heat to the affected area.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
• Splinting/Bracing: To immobilize the hand or wrist and promote healing.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation in some cases, such as for carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
• Surgery: May be necessary in some cases, such as for carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, or severe tendon tears.
• Treatment of Underlying Cause: If the swelling or tightness is due to an underlying medical condition, treatment will be directed at that condition.

Important Considerations:

• Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe hand or wrist swelling or tightness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, or severe pain.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent further damage and improve outcomes. Don’t delay seeking medical advice.
• If you experience sudden, severe hand or wrist pain after an injury, seek immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a fracture or dislocation.