Wrist and Hand Pain Disorders
Carpal tunnel syndrome characterized by numbness in the median nerve distribution which includes the 1st, 2nd 3rd and lateral half of the 4th finger that worsen at night and is associated with wasting of the thenar eminence. You can elicit pain and numbness by either Phalen's sign which happens on forced flexion of the wrist (reversed prayer position) or Median Tinel's sign which happens by percussion over the median nerve at the wrist. Select nerve conduction test and EMG for diagnosis. Treatments will include one or more of NSAIDs, splinting, steroid injections or surgery depending on the severity.
De Quervain Tenosynovitis characterized by pain in the wrist and thumb that can be elicited by pressing on the radial styloid or by Finklestein test that involves forced ulnar wrist deviation while enclosing the thumb with a fist. Treatment is same as above.
Dupuytren Contracture characterized by inability to fully extend the digits with apparent flexion deformity and a thickened palmar fascia. Treatment is by surgical excision.
Trigger finger characterized by the finger getting locked during flexion with a palpable tendon node sometimes. Treatment involves physiotherapy, steroid injection or surgical release.
Ulnar tunnel syndrome characterized by numbness on the 4th and 5th digits which can be elicited by tapping on the ulnar nerve at the wrist (positive Ulnar Tinel's sign). Treatment includes splinting, NSAIDs or surgical release.
You can read more about the wrist and hand disorders using this book Practical office orthopedics.
This post covers the points you need to know for your board exams as well as for teaching residents on the daily rounds. Medical professionals can't use the information here to treat their patients nor people can use the information her to treat themselves. If you are having any medical issues, contact your doctor or local emergency services.