Deformity or disruption of the central slip of the finger, usually due to an injury, although it can develop in inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms: Finger(s) is bent down at the middle joint and bent back at the end joint.

Type: Arthritis | Injury

Links:

Boutonniere Deformity - Hand World

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition brought on by increased pressure or a pinched nerve at the wrist. Generally patients feel pain, numbness, burning or tingling (like pins and needles) in the hand, wrist, or fingers. Pain may radiate up the arm to the elbow, neck, and shoulder. Symptoms may be constant, or come and go. They often get worse at night, or after strenuous activity involving the hands. Without treatment, CTS symptoms may continue to get worse. You may have increased pain, decreased feeling in the hand, and gradual loss of grip strength. Simple tasks like grasping a handle or utensil may prove difficult.

Symptoms: Pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, weakness or clumsiness of the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers.

Type: Carpal Tunnel | Injury

Links:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - AAOS

De Quervain's disease is a condition brought on by irritation or swelling of the tendons found along the thumb side of the wrist. The irritation causes the compartment (lining) around the tendon to swell, changing the shape of the compartment or causing the tendon to thicken. This makes it difficult for the tendon to move as it should. Pain over the thumb side of the wrist is the main symptom. The pain is usually worse with repetitive use of the hand and thumb, especially when forcefully grasping things or twisting the wrist.

Symptoms: Pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, usually noticed when forming a fist, grasping or gripping things, or turning the wrist.

Type:

Links:

deQuervain's Tendinitis - Orthogate

Dupuyten's contracture is a disease that can lead to limited use of your hand. This may happen when certain tissue in the palm thickens. While it doesn't always cause pain, it can make it hard to straighten your fingers. Signs and symptoms include a hard lump forming across your palm, inability to place your palm flat on a surface, scarlike bands forming across your palm, and hand pain (less common.). Symptoms usually appear in 50 to 60 year-old men whose families come from northern European countries.

Symptoms: Thick knuckles. Movement is limited in finger(s).

Type: Masses

Links:

Dupuytren's Disease - SCOI

Fractures (or breaks) often take place in the hand or wrist. A fracture can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of movement. Because of the close relationship of bones with soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and nerves, movement may be restricted because of injury to soft tissue. Fractures that involve joint surfaces may lead to early arthritis in those involved joints. Certain fractures, especially of the bones in the wrist may not result in severe symptoms. Any injury which results in prolonged symptoms (more than one to two weeks) should be evaluated.

Symptoms: Chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of movement

Type: Injury

Links:

Fracture of the Finger - AAOS

Hand Fractures - AAOS

Ganglion cysts are very common masses (lumps) that sometimes grow in the hand and wrist. The cysts are generally found on the top of the wrist, sometimes on the palm side of the wrist, the end of the joint finger, and at the base of a finger. Although there is usually no specific cause for ganglions, there has often been an injury before the appearance of a cyst. These cysts can be painful, especially when they first appear, and with constant or strenuous use of the hand or wrist. Ganglions often change in size and may disappear completely.

Symptoms: These lumps are generally found on the top of the wrist, on the palm side of the wrist, the end joint of a finger (mucous cysts), and at the base of a finger.

Type: Masses

Links:

Ganglion Cysts - Handsurgery.com

Symptoms: The symptoms begin with a feeling of pins and needles in the ring and little finger, starting in the early morning before waking. This progresses to a burning pain of the wrist and hand, followed by decreased sensation and eventually clumsiness in the hand. Inability to spread the fingers, and may include a weak pinch in the thumb.

Type:

Links:

Guyon's Canal Syndrome - Orthogate

Symptoms:

Type: Arthritis

Links:

A condition in which the end joint of a finger bends but will not straighten by itself.

Symptoms: Joint can be pushed straight but will not hold that position on its own.

Type: Arthritis | Injury

Links:

Dr. Nelson's Mallet Finger Page

Trigger finger is an inflammation of tissue inside your finger or thumb. It is also called "tenosynovitis."


Tendons and the synovium (a slick membrane that allows the tendons to move easily) become swollen, making it difficult to straighten the finger or thumb. The first sign of trigger finger may be pain and swelling where the finger or thumb joins the palm. As the tendon becomes more inflamed, the finger may start to catch when you try to straighten it. When the locked tendon releases, the finger jumps as if you were releasing the trigger on a gun.

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, and stiffness in base of hand and fingers. Finger(s) lock in position when bending.

Type: Carpal Tunnel | Injury

Links:

Trigger Finger - Orthogate