Hand pain
Do you have hand pain?
✔ Aching in the joints
✔ Swelling
✔ Stiffness
✔ Grating feeling
✔ Redness of joints
✔ Tenderness
✔ Joint warm to touch
If you are impacted by hand pain, you’ll understand just how much of a negative effect it can have on your independence. You may find writing, opening and holding objects difficult. Your ability to work may also be affected.
We aim to not only improve your pain and your quality of life, but ensure you feel supported and confident about how to manage your condition in the long term.
is the most commonly reported location of affliction, according to UK adults
(Health Survey for England)
Chronic pain in the hands
is the most commonly reported location of affliction, according to UK adults
(Health Survey for England)
How The London Rheumatology and MSK Clinic can help you
Dr Naveen Bhadauria is a highly experienced Consultant Rheumatologist in London who is passionate about providing effective treatment that will make a real difference to quality of life for each of his patients. He is dedicated to achieving early and accurate diagnosis – after all, accurate diagnosis is vital for getting the correct interventions. This is especially the case when it comes to inflammatory conditions that affect the hands, like rheumatoid arthritis.
Specialist expertise and experience
Access to other trusted top specialists
High quality care with no waiting list
Evidence-led treatments
Why do my hands hurt?
With 54 bones in total, the hands and wrists are complex parts of the body that can be susceptible to injury and the impact of disease. There are many potential causes of hand pain. Whilst there is a chance it is completely harmless, it is still vital to see a skilled rheumatologist, like Dr Naveen Bhadauria, who can accurately diagnose your hand pain and rule out anything more sinister. Potential causes of hand pain include:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis. It is a condition whereby the cartilage between the joints breaks down over time from mechanical wear and tear. We find the majority of people with hand pain will have osteoarthritis. This condition is closely linked with ageing.
Rheumatoid arthritis
In some cases, hand pain can be caused by an inflammatory disease, like rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, hand pain is one of its most common symptoms, with stiffness and swelling in the morning, and being unable to fully bend the hand or forming a fist being common indicators of the condition. A highly damaging disease, rheumatoid arthritis needs to be diagnosed as early as possible to prevent it worsening and impacting other joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is immune mediated which means it’s caused by the immune system attacking the joints.
Other causes of hand pain
Hand pain could also be caused by an acute injury such as a break or fracture, gout (which may present as redness and a burning feeling), lupus (which may present as swelling in the hands), nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome, low vitamin D levels, underactive thyroid, and even viral infections. It can also be a symptom of a chronic pain syndrome such as fibromyalgia.
Diagnosing hand pain – what’s involved?
Although the cause of hand pain could be a simple sprain, it can also be a sign of something more serious. Progressive diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis need immediate treatment to prevent worsening.
Accurate and early diagnosis is vital when it comes to hand pain and issues impacting the joints. This is where a private rheumatologist shines. Rather than joining a long waiting list, you can seek help directly from a skilled and experienced specialist in joint pain.
Diagnosis of hand pain begins with a review of your full medical history, family history and symptoms. Dr Naveen Bhadauria will follow this with a physical examination of the hands. He is incredibly thorough – you’ll feel listened to and won’t be rushed.
Dr Bhadauria explains: “Our hands receive the most use of any appendage, so it is vital that any joint pain is swiftly addressed, diagnosed and managed or treated in order to prevent the worsening of disease and improve quality of life. Without medical intervention, chronic hand pain can develop into a serious impairment, and major surgery may be required to extend the use of the hands.”
The type of testing required to get an accurate diagnosis will be based on what is most appropriate for your individual circumstances. Diagnostic testing for hand pain may include blood tests and X-rays which can be carried out on the same day. More in-depth testing such as ultrasound and MRIs may also be required where appropriate.
Treatment for hand pain
When it comes to treating the cause of hand pain, Dr Bhadauria provides evidence-based treatments to give you peace of mind. Treatment will vary depending on its underlying cause, your individual history, and needs.
When it comes to treatments for joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis), the mainstay of managing this and lowering the chance of disability is good quality physiotherapy and joint strengthening exercises, combined with painkillers and/or anti-inflammatories.
For inflammatory conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, they need to be controlled with a type of specialised medication called immunosuppressants (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs). DMARDs work to lower inflammation in the lining of the joints. This, in turn, prevents disease progression and further damage to the tissues, reducing the need for joint replacement. They will usually be prescribed in conjunction with physiotherapy, painkillers, and lifestyle therapy (like a low inflammation diet).
FAQs
Hand pain is not always related to a disease; it can also be caused by injuries such as broken bones, fractures and sprains. But it is important to be aware of the possible underlying diseases associated with chronic hand pain, including but not limited to:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia
- Peripheral neuropathy
If your hand pain is making it difficult for you to do normal daily activities then it’s time to seek advice from a healthcare professional, like a consultant rheumatologist. A consultant rheumatologist will provide a swift diagnosis and treatment in order to improve your pain and quality of life.
Do not wait to see a medical expert, as the pain may not go away by itself, and any underlying diseases may worsen over time.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease caused by inflammation as a result of the immune system attacking itself. The National institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends assessment by a rheumatologist within 3 weeks of symptoms that could suggest rheumatoid arthritis, as early diagnosis and management is vitally important to establish good control of this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis can damage the tissue and cartilage in the joints, and even the bone, if not correctly managed, which is why early diagnosis and management is so vital.
If not treated and managed effectively, rheumatoid arthritis can also spread to other joints, and go on to impact the nervous system and cardiovascular system.
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Pain and tenderness
- Stiffness and swelling
- Warmth and redness
- Dull burning pain
- Grinding sensation
- Difficulty with fine control of the hands
- Symptoms that ease after activity and are usually worse at the start of the day or after being inactive
Although the symptoms can occur anywhere in the body, stiffness in the hands in the morning with pain and swelling is the most common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis we see. The pain tends to present on both sides of the body. You may experience some but not all of these symptoms, and they can come and go. You may also notice symptoms in the rest of the body, including feeling tired, having a temperature, poor appetite, and weight loss.
“Arthritis” itself isn’t a condition, it is a general term used to describe joint diseases and conditions impacting the joints. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis affecting 10 million people in the UK alone – that’s 1 in 6 – according to Versus Arthritis. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common forms of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a very common form of arthritis affecting 450,000 (Versus Arthritis) people in the UK. It is characterised by natural wear and tear of the joint tissues, cartilage and bone. It is thought to be the most common form of arthritis in the UK and is more common as people get older. Those with osteoarthritis will usually experience pain in the mornings and after exercise. Joints can become swollen and red.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in around 190,000 (Versus Arthritis) people in the UK. Symptoms of this chronic progressive disease include multiple joint pains, stiffness and swelling. It is not caused by wear and tear but by inflammation caused by the immune system attacking itself. The pain tends to improve on activity.
Highly recommended for anyone who needs emergency treatment for rheumatoid joint pain. Dr. Naveen is the best. He knows his stuffs and also gave me lots of very helpful advices for rheumatoid arthritis. I feel like it’s worth every penny I paid for. The reception and his secretary are also very friendly and helpful. I can’t thank them enough.
