By symptom
Change in shape
A finger or wrist that looks bent or out of line
What can cause this
More than one condition can produce change in shape, and the pattern matters as much as the symptom itself — when it happens, what brings it on, and what makes it settle. The conditions below are the ones most often responsible. This page is not a diagnosis.
Boutonnière Deformity
The middle knuckle of the finger droops into flexion while the fingertip hyperextends, with pain and swelling over the middle joint, especially…
Read articleComplex Hand Trauma
Severe pain, deformity, open wounds, bleeding, and loss of function following significant hand trauma, which may involve multiple fingers or structures.
Read articleDistal Radius Fracture
Pain, swelling, deformity, and inability to move or bear weight through the wrist following an injury.
Read articleDupuytren’s Contracture
Thickened cords or nodules in the palm, progressive inability to fully straighten one or more fingers (usually the ring and little fingers),…
Read articleFinger Fractures
Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and difficulty moving the injured finger following trauma.
Read articleMallet Finger
The fingertip droops and cannot be actively straightened, often with pain and swelling at the joint following an injury such as a…
Read article
Other symptoms
- Numbness & tinglingPins and needles, or a hand that feels dead or asleep
- Pain & achingAching, sharp pain, or pain that wakes you at night
- WeaknessA weak grip, or dropping things without meaning to
- Locking or catchingA finger that clicks, catches, or locks bent
- SwellingA swollen hand, wrist or finger
- StiffnessA joint that will not move as far as it used to
- A lump or massA new lump on the hand or wrist
- Difficulty moving a fingerTrouble straightening or bending a finger
- Change in shapeA finger or wrist that looks bent or out of line
- A recent injuryA fall, a cut, a crush or a blow to the hand
- Cold, pale or blue fingersColour change, or fingers that go white in the cold
Working out which of these it is usually takes a history and an examination rather than a test.
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