The hands and wrists play an essential role in everyday activities, from writing and typing to lifting, gripping and performing more complex movements. Injuries, nerve compression, tendon disorders and joint conditions can interfere with hand function and cause pain, stiffness or weakness.
At New York Hand & Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Vipul Patel and the clinical team evaluate a range of hand, wrist and upper-extremity conditions. Understanding the symptoms and available treatment options can help patients make informed decisions about their care.
The following sections introduce common conditions affecting the hands, fingers, wrists and elbows, along with additional educational resources from the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH).
Nerve Conditions
1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through a narrow passageway in the wrist. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, pain and weakness in the thumb, index and middle fingers. Symptoms may become more noticeable at night or during activities involving repetitive hand movements.
Learn More – ASSH: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
2. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome develops when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or irritated near the elbow. Patients may experience numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers, hand weakness and difficulty with certain gripping activities. Treatment depends on the severity of nerve compression and may include activity modifications, splinting or surgery.
Learn More – ASSH: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Tendon Conditions and Injuries
3. De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It can cause pain, swelling and difficulty moving the thumb, particularly when gripping, lifting or twisting objects.
Learn More – ASSH: De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
4. Extensor Tendon Injury
Extensor tendons help straighten the fingers and thumb. An injury to these tendons may result from a cut, trauma or other damage, making it difficult to extend the affected finger or thumb. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury and may involve splinting, therapy or surgical repair.
Learn More – ASSH: Extensor Tendon Injury
5. Flexor Tendon Injury
Flexor tendons allow the fingers and thumb to bend. These tendons can be damaged by cuts, sports injuries or other trauma. Patients may experience pain, swelling or an inability to bend the affected finger. Depending on the injury, treatment may involve surgical tendon repair followed by a structured rehabilitation programme.
Learn More – ASSH: Flexor Tendon Injury
6. Trigger Finger
Trigger finger occurs when a finger's flexor tendon has difficulty gliding smoothly through its surrounding sheath. Patients may experience clicking, catching, stiffness or locking when bending or straightening a finger. Treatment options include activity modifications, splinting, injections and, when necessary, surgical release.
Learn More – ASSH: Trigger Finger
7. Mallet Finger
Mallet finger is an injury to the tendon responsible for straightening the fingertip. It commonly occurs when an object strikes the end of an extended finger, forcing it to bend. The fingertip may droop and patients may be unable to straighten it independently. Treatment often involves continuous splinting, although some injuries require surgery.
Learn More – ASSH: Mallet Finger
8. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is a condition involving irritation and degeneration of the tendons attached to the outside of the elbow. It can cause pain and tenderness that may extend into the forearm, particularly during gripping, lifting or repetitive wrist movements. Treatment may include activity modification, bracing, physical therapy and other interventions.
Learn More – ASSH: Tennis Elbow
Fractures and Traumatic Injuries
9. Distal Radius Fracture
A distal radius fracture is a break in the radius, the larger of the two forearm bones, near the wrist. It commonly occurs after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms may include wrist pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty moving the wrist. Depending on fracture alignment and stability, treatment may involve casting, splinting or surgery.
Learn More – ASSH: Distal Radius Fracture
10. Scaphoid Fracture
A scaphoid fracture involves one of the small bones on the thumb side of the wrist. It frequently occurs after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Pain and tenderness near the base of the thumb are common symptoms. Because some scaphoid fractures have limited blood supply and may heal slowly, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are important.
Learn More – ASSH: Scaphoid Fracture
11. Jammed Finger
A jammed finger typically results from an impact that forces a finger joint beyond its normal range of motion. The injury may involve ligaments, tendons, bones or joint structures. Pain, swelling, bruising and restricted movement are common symptoms. Proper evaluation helps determine whether the injury is a sprain, fracture or dislocation.
Learn More – ASSH: Jammed Finger
12. TFCC Tear
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a group of cartilage and ligament structures that helps stabilize the wrist on the little-finger side. A TFCC tear may develop following an injury or repetitive stress. Symptoms can include wrist pain, clicking, weakness and discomfort when rotating the forearm or bearing weight through the wrist.
Arthritis and Joint Conditions
13. Finger Arthritis
Finger arthritis affects the joints of the fingers and may cause pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced mobility. It can interfere with everyday activities requiring fine motor skills and gripping. Treatment depends on the type and severity of arthritis and may include medications, splinting, therapy or surgical procedures.
Learn More – ASSH: Finger Arthritis
14. Thumb Arthritis
Thumb arthritis commonly affects the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb. Wear and tear of the joint cartilage can cause pain, swelling, weakness and difficulty with pinching or gripping objects. Treatment may include activity modifications, splinting, medication, injections or surgery.
Learn More – ASSH: Thumb Arthritis
15. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition involving the gradual breakdown of cartilage. When it affects the hand and wrist, patients may experience joint pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced movement. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preserving function through conservative measures or surgery when appropriate.
Learn More – ASSH: Osteoarthritis
16. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints. It commonly affects the small joints of the hands and wrists, often on both sides of the body. Symptoms may include persistent swelling, pain, morning stiffness and progressive joint deformity. Treatment may involve medication, therapy and orthopaedic procedures to preserve hand function.
Learn More – ASSH: Rheumatoid Arthritis
17. Gout
Gout is an inflammatory form of arthritis caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in joints. When it affects the hands or fingers, it may cause sudden episodes of severe pain, redness, warmth and swelling. Medical management focuses on controlling inflammation and addressing elevated uric acid levels.
Other Hand and Wrist Conditions
18. Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture is a condition in which the connective tissue beneath the skin of the palm gradually thickens and tightens. This can cause one or more fingers, commonly the ring and little fingers, to bend toward the palm. Treatment depends on the degree of contracture and its effect on hand function.
Learn More – ASSH: Dupuytren's Contracture
19. Ganglion Cyst
A ganglion cyst is a noncancerous, fluid-filled lump that commonly develops near a joint or tendon in the wrist or hand. Some cysts are painless, while others may cause discomfort, tenderness or restricted movement. Treatment may include observation, aspiration or surgical removal when symptoms warrant intervention.
Learn More – ASSH: Ganglion Cyst
20. Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which the blood vessels in the fingers temporarily narrow in response to cold temperatures or emotional stress. This can reduce blood flow and cause the fingers to change colour, become cold or feel numb and painful. Management focuses on avoiding triggers and addressing underlying conditions when present.
Learn More – ASSH: Raynaud's Phenomenon
Additional Patient Education Resources
For further information about these and other conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities, patients can explore the educational library provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH).
Explore the ASSH Common Conditions Library
Educational Resource Attribution: The condition-specific educational resources linked on this page are provided by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). The brief descriptions above have been prepared for New York Hand & Orthopedic Surgery as introductory patient education summaries. For detailed information, please consult the original ASSH resources and discuss individual diagnosis and treatment options with a qualified healthcare professional.
For questions about hand, wrist or elbow pain, or to learn more about available treatment options, contact New York Hand & Orthopedic Surgery to arrange an evaluation.
