What Causes Hands To Go Stiff?
Hand stiffness can disrupt even the simplest daily activities, turning tasks like writing, cooking, or buttoning a shirt into frustrating challenges. While it’s easy to brush off occasional discomfort, persistent stiffness may be a sign of a deeper issue. Understanding what causes your hands to feel stiff is the first step in finding relief and regaining confidence in your movement.
Common Causes of Hand Stiffness
Hand stiffness can stem from various factors affecting the joints, tendons, and nerves. These conditions can range from temporary discomfort to persistent issues requiring medical attention. Here are some common causes of hand stiffness:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis: The breakdown of cartilage leads to pain and stiffness, making it harder to move the joints. Without movement, the stiffness can worsen over time.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This autoimmune disease causes joint inflammation, often resulting in morning stiffness, pain, and reduced grip strength.
Tendon or Ligament Injuries
Trigger Finger: Tendon inflammation causes difficulty bending or straightening the fingers, often leading to locking or stiffness.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Affects the thumb tendons, causing pain and stiffness, especially with gripping.
Nerve Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist leads to numbness, tingling, and stiffness in the hand.
Cervical Radiculopathy: Nerve compression in the neck can radiate pain and stiffness into the hands, weakening grip and causing discomfort.
While hand stiffness is often the main concern, it is frequently accompanied by other symptoms that can help identify the underlying cause.
Symptoms That May Accompany Hand Stiffness
Hand stiffness is often paired with additional symptoms that offer critical insights into its underlying cause. These symptoms can affect the functionality of the hand while aiding in diagnosis and treatment. Common symptoms include:
Pain or Discomfort
Swelling or Redness
Limited Motion
Weakness or Reduced Grip Strength
These signs not only impact daily activities but also serve as key diagnostic markers. Identifying them can help healthcare providers pinpoint the cause of stiffness and develop an effective treatment plan.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosis begins with a physical examination to assess range of motion, strength, and swelling. Imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds may be used to identify joint or tissue issues, while lab tests can detect autoimmune conditions or other underlying illnesses.
Treatment options depend on the cause of stiffness. Non-surgical treatments may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and splints for support. In more severe cases, surgical interventions like joint replacement or tendon repair might be needed.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to managing hand stiffness and preserving function.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional hand stiffness is common, but certain situations warrant medical attention:
Persistent Stiffness lasting more than a few days or worsening over time.
Severe Symptoms such as intense pain, swelling, or skin discoloration.
Loss of Mobility making it difficult to perform basic tasks like gripping or making a fist.
Interference with Daily Life, affecting work, hobbies, or routine activities.
Taking care of hand stiffness early can prevent further complications and preserve function. Don’t let hand discomfort disrupt your life, Schedule an appointment to keep your hands healthy and pain-free.
MEET OUR Hand SPECIALIST HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, DR. Stein!
If you are experiencing hand stiffness or related conditions, schedule an appointment with Dr. Stein, our hand specialist at Ortho San Antonio. With his expertise, you can receive a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan to restore function and improve your quality of life.