Hand Disorders
The hands are an extraordinary part of our body and allow us an ability to perform multiple different activites of potentially incredible dexterity. Unfortunately, things can go wrong and there are a variety of conditions that can affect the hand. These may involve the joints, the bones and the surrounding soft tissues. This section will help you find the condition that my be causing your symptoms.
What's Wrong?
Search our database of common hand conditions by typing your concerns below:
Check the conditions below if you have been unable to find your condition:
All Hand Disorders
Tendon disorders
Tendon disorders are medical conditions that result in the tendons not functioning normally.
Trigger finger is a painful condition in which a finger or thumb clicks or locks as it is bent towards the palm. Read more
What is it?
De Quervain's syndrome is a painful condition that affects tendons where they run through a tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist.
What is the cause?
It appears without... Read more
Swellings
Swellings in the wrist and hand are very common. The vast majority are likely to be a ganglion which is a fluid filled cyst and utterly benign. Again a vast majority of ganglia will disappear spontaneously and do not require surgery. More firm lumps may require surgery as they are unlikely to resolve.
What is it?
Ganglion cysts are the commonest type of swelling in the hand and wrist. They contain a thick clear fluid and can arise a variety of structures but there are four common locations in... Read more
Nerve disorders
The commonest nerve disorder in the upper limb is carpal tunnel syndrome. The second commonest is cubital tunnel syndrome where the nerve behind the 'funny bone' becomes trapped..
What is it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition where the median nerve is compressed where it passes through a short tunnel at the wrist. The tunnel contains the tendons that bend the... Read more
What is it?
Cubital tunnel syndrome is compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve in a tunnel on the inside of the elbow (where your 'funny bone' is). The ulnar nerve provides sensation... Read more
Arthritis
The term arthritis is used to describe an inflamed joint but does not indicate the cause. There are many diffierent types of 'arthritis' including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout which can affect the hand. The commonest by far is osteoarthritis which may be familial or post-traumatic. In the hand the joints most affected are the base of the thumb and the terminal joint of the finger.
What is it?
The terminal joint of the finger is called the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) (see diagram). Osteoarthritis often affects these joints, and can also affect the joint at the base... Read more
What is it?
The universal joint at the base of the thumb, between the metacarpal and trapezium bones, often becomes arthritic as people get older. It is osteoarthritis, which is loss of the smooth... Read more
Dupuytren's disease
Dupuytren's disease affects the hands and can produce contractures of the fingers which interfere with function. It is a benign disease which has no cure as yet. It can affect the hands in many different ways.
What is it?
Dupuytren’s disease (also referred to as Dupuytren's contracture) is a common condition that usually arises in middle age or later and is more common in men than women. Firm... Read more
The staff of the BSSH Offices are not medically trained and cannot give advice about medical conditions.
You should contact your consultant, GP or Specialist Nurse for medical advice in the first instance.