By symptom
Swelling
A swollen hand, wrist or finger
What can cause this
More than one condition can produce swelling, 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.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Pain and swelling at the base of the thumb and wrist, worse with gripping, twisting, or lifting with the thumb extended.
Read articleDistal Radius Fracture
Pain, swelling, deformity, and inability to move or bear weight through the wrist following an injury.
Read articleFinger Arthritis
Joint pain and stiffness, swelling, and sometimes bony enlargement of the finger joints, with reduced grip and pinch strength.
Read articleFinger Fractures
Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and difficulty moving the injured finger following trauma.
Read articleGanglion Cyst
A visible or palpable lump, usually on the back of the wrist, that may fluctuate in size and can cause aching or…
Read articleHand Arthritis
Joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), swelling, reduced grip strength, and sometimes visible joint enlargement or deformity.
Read articleLigament Injuries
Pain, swelling, and instability of the affected joint, with difficulty gripping or bearing weight through the hand or wrist.
Read articleScaphoid Fracture
Pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, tenderness in the "anatomical snuffbox," and pain with gripping or wrist movement…
Read articleSoft Tissue Injuries
Wounds, skin loss, bruising, swelling, and pain, with severity ranging from minor cuts to significant tissue defects.
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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