Hand pain is something that almost all of us experience at some point in our lives. This pain, discomfort, and soreness can occur anywhere in the hand, from the shoulder to the fingertips. Sometimes this pain is accompanied by tingling, swelling, or itching. For some people, this pain starts suddenly, while for others, the pain gradually increases.
Why do we get arm pain?
Simply put, there are many reasons why you might experience hand pain. It can be normal or it can be something a little more serious. This pain can be caused by problems in the various parts of our hand.
- Muscles
- Bones
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Nerves
- Blood vessels (Veins)
- Joints
- Skin
A minor injury, swelling, or other problem in any of these parts can be felt as pain in the hand.
Is left arm pain a symptom of a heart attack?
This is a big problem and fear for many people. Yes, sometimes pain in the left arm can be a symptom of a heart attack . But it's not just the pain in the arm that causes it.
Very important: If your left arm pain is accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, nausea, or sweating , it could be a sign of a heart attack. Go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Don't delay even a second at a time like this.
But remember, not all left arm pain is a heart attack. Let's now look at other common causes of arm pain.
Common causes of hand pain
Let's divide the causes of hand pain into several main categories.
Overuse Injuries
When we continue to perform the same type of movement over and over, it can damage our muscles and tendons. We call this overuse injuries.
- Bursitis: Pain caused by swelling of the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) near our joints.
- Rotator cuff tear: Damage to a group of tendons and muscles that help stabilize our shoulder joint. This causes severe pain in the shoulder, sometimes making it impossible to even lift the arm.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons that connect bones to muscles. This is most common in areas such as the biceps and wrist.
- Tennis elbow / Golfer's elbow: Despite the name, this condition is not limited to tennis and golf players. Anyone who puts excessive strain on the tendons in the elbow (e.g., someone who does gardening or carpentry) can develop this condition.
Traumatic Injuries
Severe pain can also occur due to injuries to the hand, such as a fall or a car accident.
- Fractures: Fractures of the upper arm bone (Humerus), the bones of the wrist (Scaphoid, Smith fracture), or the bones of the hand (Boxer's fracture). In such cases, you may experience severe pain, swelling, and a change in the shape of the hand.
Other common disorders and conditions
| Disease status | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | Pain and numbness in the hand and fingers caused by compression of a major nerve that runs through the wrist. This is common for people who work on computers or sew. |
| Sprains | A sprain or tear of the ligaments around a joint. This can occur in the wrist, elbow, or shoulder. |
| Arthritis | A condition that causes joint swelling and pain. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, especially affect the joints of the hands. |
| Pinched Nerve | A pinched nerve in the neck or shoulder can cause pain, numbness, or tingling along the nerve's path to the arm. |
| Heart-related conditions | In addition to heart attacks, angina (chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart) and blood clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) can also cause pain in the arms. |
What can you do at home for hand pain?
If you have mild pain caused by overuse, you can follow the RICE method. RICE stands for:
- R - Rest: Give your hands as much rest as possible. Avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous activities for a few days.
- I - Ice: Apply ice to the painful area for about 15 minutes. Do this several times a day. Do not apply the ice directly to the skin, wrap it in a cloth.
- C - Compression: Wrap the painful area with an elastic bandage to make it slightly tight. But not so tight that it cuts off blood flow.
- E - Elevation: Keep your arm higher than your heart. When sitting in a chair, keep your arm on a pillow.
In addition to these things, you can also use a painkiller (e.g. Paracetamol). However, if the pain lasts more than two or three days, or if the pain is severe, you should definitely see a doctor.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
If home treatments do not relieve your hand pain, or if you have any of the symptoms below, be sure to seek medical advice.
- If you have severe, unbearable pain that starts suddenly .
- If you have chest pain, tightness, or difficulty breathing along with arm pain (go to the ETU immediately!).
- If you see a clear deformity, sprain, or bone protrusion in your arm after a fall.
- If you cannot move your hand or use it normally .
- If there is severe swelling or numbness in the hand.
- If the pain increases during exercise or work and decreases when resting (this may be a sign of heart disease).
- If the pain does not subside after a few days of home treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Although hand pain is common, it should not always be ignored. It is important to know the exact cause.
- If you have symptoms like chest pain and difficulty breathing along with pain in your left arm, it's an emergency. Go to the hospital immediately.
- The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is very useful for pain caused by normal exertion.
- If your pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other serious symptoms, don't assume anything and see a qualified doctor.
- The best way to prevent hand pain is to stretch your muscles well before and after exercise and avoid working in the same position for long periods of time.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න