Problems By Type: Arthritis | Carpal Tunnel | Injury | Masses | Repetitive Injury and Ergonomics

Problems By Region: Elbow and Forearm | Hand and Fingers | Neck and Shoulder | Wrist

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.

Region Affected: Hand and Fingers | Wrist

Links:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - AAOS

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.

Region Affected: Hand and Fingers

Links:
Trigger Finger - Orthogate

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.

Region Affected: Hand and Fingers

Links:
deQuervain's Tendinitis - Orthogate

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a set of symptoms that may occur if the ulnar nerve in your elbow gets pinched. This may happen if you bend or lean on your elbows often. Symptoms include numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, loss of finger or hand strength, inability to straighten fingers, and sharp, sudden pain when the elbow is touched.

Region Affected: Elbow and Forearm | Hand and Fingers

Links:
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - Hand World

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome is a constellation of conditions which can result in arm pain, numbness, tingling and fatigue in the upper extremity. Seen in people who use there arms repetitively and with overhead activity. The nerves which emerge from the spinal cord along with the vessels which leave the chest cavity combine in the upper chest and make their way to the arm. At several points along this path irritation and compression can occur between certain muscles, the collarbone and the upper ribs. This condition and it's diagnosis is complex as symptoms overlap with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cubital Tunnel Syndrome as well as Cervical spine and vascular conditions.

Region Affected: Neck and Shoulder

Links:
A Patient's Guide to Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - Medical Multimedia Group