Wrist and hand pain
Most cases of hand and wrist pain will not be a sign of a serious or long-term problem and will settle in a few days or weeks with some simple self-care you can do at home.
There are several conditions that can cause pain or other symptoms in the hands and wrists, including types of arthritis. Find more information on the Arthritis UK website.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger is a condition that affects one or more of the hand's tendons, making it difficult to bend the affected finger or thumb.
Some hand conditions may require you to wear a support for the wrist or hand to allow you to rest your joints and tendons.
Your physiotherapist will provide you with guidance on how to wear it and when to wear it.
When to seek urgent medical help
Most wrist and hand problems can normally be managed by your GP, or physiotherapist or with self-management strategies using the exercises and support shown in the videos below.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical help more urgently:
- You have had a high-impact injury with extreme pain and swelling and think you may have broken a bone. There was a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of the injury.
- You have extreme pain with swelling without any injury.
- Any part of your hand, wrist or fingers is a funny shape or colour.
- You have lost the feeling of part or all of your hand.
- You can’t move your hand, wrist or fingers properly.