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    3. Rheumatology
    4. Hand pain

    Hand pain

    At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, our rheumatology specialists assess, diagnose, and manage conditions affecting the hands, fingers, and wrists. If you are looking for a specialist for hand pain, our consultant-led team can identify what may be causing your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan tailored to you.

    Hand pain can affect the joints, bones, tendons, muscles, or nerves in your hand. It may develop after an injury or repeated activity, or it may be linked to conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tendon problems.

    If your pain continues or starts to affect your everyday activities, an early assessment can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.

    • Hand pain can affect any part of your hand, including the fingers, thumb, palm, or wrist. Pain may be temporary after an injury or continue because of a condition affecting the joints, tendons, or nerves.

      You may have pain along with stiffness, swelling, weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving your fingers or gripping objects. Where you feel the pain and the type of symptoms you have can help your specialist identify the possible cause.

    • Hand pain can feel different depending on what is causing it. Symptoms may develop gradually or appear suddenly after an injury.

      You may experience:

      • Aching or sharp pain in your hand, fingers, thumb, or wrist
      • Stiffness, particularly when moving your fingers or thumb
      • Swelling around a joint or tendon
      • Numbness or tingling in your fingers or hand
      • Weakness or difficulty gripping objects
      • Clicking, catching, or locking when moving a finger
      • Pain that gets worse with repeated use
      • Reduced movement or difficulty with everyday activities

      Persistent symptoms may be a sign of a condition that needs specialist assessment. If pain is affecting your ability to work, exercise, or carry out daily activities, identifying the cause can help guide your treatment.

    • There are many possible hand pain causes, including injuries, repeated use, and longer-term conditions affecting the joints, tendons, or nerves.

      Common causes include:

      • Osteoarthritis, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints
      • Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition that can affect several joints in the hands
      • Carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist
      • Tendonitis or other tendon problems caused by inflammation or overuse
      • Trigger finger, which can cause a finger to catch or lock when you move it
      • De Quervain's tenosynovitis, which affects tendons on the thumb side of the wrist
      • Ganglion cysts, which are fluid-filled lumps that can develop near joints or tendons
      • Sprains, strains, and fractures following an injury
      • Nerve conditions that can cause pain, numbness, or tingling

      In some cases, hand pain may be linked to a condition that affects other parts of your body, such as gout or inflammatory arthritis. Your specialist will consider your symptoms and medical history when deciding which possible causes to investigate.

    • Diagnosis begins with a detailed consultation and examination by your orthopaedic specialist.

      Your assessment may include:

      • A review of your symptoms, medical history, and any previous injuries
      • A physical examination of your hand, fingers, and wrist
      • An assessment of your movement, strength, and joint stability
      • An assessment of sensation and nerve function, if needed
      • X-rays to assess your bones and joints
      • Ultrasound to assess tendons, soft tissues, or fluid around a joint
      • MRI to provide detailed images of soft tissues, if needed
      • Nerve conduction studies if your symptoms suggest pressure on a nerve, such as with carpal tunnel syndrome
      • Blood tests if your specialist suspects an inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis

      Not everyone with hand pain needs imaging or other tests. Your consultant will recommend tests based on your symptoms and what they find during your examination.

      The tests and assessments you need will depend on your symptoms, medical history, and examination.

    • Treatment for hand pain depends on the cause, how severe your symptoms are, and how much they affect your daily activities.

      Your treatment plan may include:

      • Changes to activities or movements that make your symptoms worse
      • Physiotherapy or hand therapy to improve movement, strength, and function
      • Splints or other supports to protect the affected joint or tendon
      • Medicines to help manage pain or inflammation
      • Corticosteroid injections, when appropriate, to reduce inflammation and pain
      • Treatment for an underlying condition, such as arthritis or nerve compression
      • Further specialist treatment if your symptoms do not improve with non-surgical treatment

      The aim of treatment is to reduce your symptoms, address the cause where possible, and help you maintain movement and function in your hand.

      Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London does not offer surgery. However, we work with leading healthcare professionals who can carry out these procedures when appropriate. If surgery is recommended, your consultant will explain your options and coordinate your ongoing care.

    • At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, your care is led by consultants experienced in assessing and managing hand, wrist, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

      Our approach includes:

      • Specialists experienced in diagnosing conditions affecting the hands, fingers, and wrists
      • A detailed assessment of your symptoms, movement, and hand function
      • Access to appropriate imaging and diagnostic tests when needed
      • Collaboration with other specialists when appropriate
      • A care plan tailored to your symptoms, diagnosis, and daily activities
      • Evidend-based recommendations to support recovery and long-term hand health

      As part of the globally recognised Mayo Clinic network, we are committed to providing accurate diagnosis and high-quality, patient-centred care.

    Private health insurance 

    Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.

    Private assessment

    If you have ongoing pain in your hand, fingers, thumb, or wrist, our orthopaedic specialists can assess your symptoms, identify the possible cause, and recommend appropriate treatment for hand pain.

    Our team can help clarify your diagnosis, explain your treatment options, and recommend the most appropriate next steps for you.

    Request an appointment or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to speak with our team.

     

    Medically Reviewed by

    Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist

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