Wrist and hand pain are common. The wrist is made up of eight small bones known as carpals. They support a “tunnel” that runs through the wrist called the “carpal tunnel” which has tendons and a nerve inside. It is covered by a ligament (the transverse carpal ligament), which holds it in place. Repetitive motion can damage the wrist. Everyday activities like typing, computer mouse use, sports that use racquets or sewing can cause pain or injure the ligaments around the wrist.
Thumb and finger pain, especially the pain of osteoarthritis, is also common. Just like any other joint in body, arthritis also affects these joints.
Common injuries include:
Skier’s or “Gamekeepers” thumb: This is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament. This is a large ligament and a common point of thumb injuries. Swelling and difficulty in moving the thumb are the main symptoms, along with thumb pain when gripping things.
