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:

Scaphoid (wrist bone)Fracture - 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

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:

Links:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - AAOS

Symptoms: Pain, tingling, numbness, swelling, weakness or clumsiness of the wrist.

Type: Injury

Links:

Dr. Nelson's Distal Radius Fractures Page

Bone is living tissue that requires a regular supply of blood for nourishment. If the blood supply to a bone stops, the bone can die, a condition known as osteonecrosis. That’s what happens in Kienböck’s disease, which affects the lunate, one of the small bones of the hand near the wrist, causing the bone to die.

Symptoms: A painful and sometimes swollen wrist. Limited range of motion in the affected wrist (stiffness). Decreased grip strength in the hand. Tenderness directly over the bone (on the top of the hand at about the middle of the wrist). Pain or difficulty in turning the hand upward.

Type: Arthritis | Injury

Links:

Kienböck’s Disease - AAOS