Your hands, wrists, and elbows allow you to work, play, and perform everyday activities, from cooking and gardening to playing sports or instruments. Because these joints are in constant use and play a role in almost everything you do, persistent pain can disrupt your routine and significantly affect your quality of life.
At Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, our team takes a personalized, conservative-first approach to patient care, taking the time to assess your symptoms and thoroughly explain your treatment options. Our hand and upper extremity specialists, Dr. Maximilian Meyer and Dr. H. Matthew Quitkin, have treated hundreds of patients throughout the Seacoast community, with locations in Portsmouth, NH, Dover, NH, and York, ME.
While it’s common to experience occasional aches and pains, if you are struggling with ongoing discomfort, it’s important to seek medical attention from a hand, wrist, and elbow specialist.
These six symptoms may warrant an evaluation to determine the right path forward.
1. Persistent Hand, Wrist, or Elbow Pain That Doesn’t Improve
Soreness after a minor injury, a workout, or repetitive activity is normal. However, if your pain lasts more than a week or two despite rest, ice, or over-the-counter medications, it’s time to have it checked out.
Persistent pain may be caused by conditions such as:
- Osteoarthritis: Gradual wear and tear of the cartilage in the joints
- Chronic tendonitis: Long-term inflammation of the tendons due to repetitive motion or overuse
- Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the joints
- Ligament instability: Chronic pain resulting from a previous injury that never fully healed
An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward treatment and preventing the problem from becoming chronic.
2. Numbness, Tingling, or Signs of Nerve Compression
A hand that frequently “falls asleep” or fingers that tingle aren’t symptoms you should ignore. Numbness or tingling in the fingers, hand, or forearm is often a sign of nerve damage. Left untreated, symptoms can worsen over time and may eventually affect strength, function, and sensation.
These symptoms may be caused by:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist, commonly causing tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers
- Cubital tunnel syndrome: Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, often causing numbness in the ring and little fingers
- Cervical radiculopathy: A “pinched nerve” in the neck that can send radiating pain, numbness, or tingling down the arm into the hand
- Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage often related to underlying health issues, such as diabetes, that can affect sensation in the extremities
3. Swelling, Tenderness, or Changes in Your Hand, Wrist, or Elbow
Swelling and tenderness are common responses to injury, but they should be monitored closely. If you notice ongoing or recurring swelling, particularly when accompanied by warmth or visible changes to the joint, a proper diagnosis with imaging such as an X-ray or MRI can pinpoint what’s happening beneath the surface.
These symptoms may be caused by:
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, the small, fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint, which is common in the elbow
- Tenosynovitis: Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, which can create noticeable swelling and tenderness near the base of the thumb
- Gout: A form of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals that frequently presents with sudden, intense swelling, heat, and tenderness in a joint
- Excess fluid: An accumulation of fluid within the joint space that often follows an injury or inflammatory flare-up
4. Limited Range of Motion or Difficulty Using Your Joint
Are you finding it difficult to grip objects, rotate your wrist, or fully extend your elbow? A restricted range of motion can indicate an underlying condition. If your joint feels “stuck” or you cannot perform tasks you once did with ease, a specialist can help determine the cause and discuss treatment options to restore function.
Limited range of motion can result from:
- Joint contracture: A tightening of the skin, muscles, tendons, or ligaments that prevents a joint from fully extending or bending
- Post-traumatic stiffness: Difficulty moving a joint after a fracture or dislocation has healed, sometimes due to scar tissue formation
- Trigger finger: A condition in which a finger gets stuck in a bent position because the tendon sheath becomes inflamed
- Adhesive capsulitis or “frozen” joints: While more common in the shoulder, similar stiffness can occur in the elbow or wrist following an injury or prolonged immobilization
5. Weak Grip, Loss of Strength, or Difficulty Using Your Hand
If you find that you are frequently dropping objects, struggling to open jars, or having trouble with small tasks such as buttoning a shirt, it may indicate that something is affecting the mechanics of your upper extremity. Weakness can result from nerve involvement or structural issues that hinder your ability to apply force effectively and may point to a hand, wrist, or elbow issue that needs attention.
Weakness and grip problems can come from:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: As the median nerve becomes compressed, it can weaken the muscles in the thumb and palm, making it difficult to maintain a firm grip
- Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis: Inflammation of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow can make it painful and difficult to grip objects or twist the forearm
- Ulnar or radial nerve entrapment: Compression of other major nerves in the arm can lead to weakness in specific muscle groups, directly affecting your ability to grasp or hold items
- Arthritis: When joints in the wrist or hand are damaged by arthritis, the body may naturally limit grip strength to avoid triggering pain
- Tendon ruptures: A complete or partial tear in the tendons responsible for finger movement can result in a loss of grip strength
6. Previous Injury or Recurring Hand, Wrist, or Elbow Pain
A fall, sports injury, or sudden twist can cause more than a temporary strain. Whether it is a past fracture, dislocation, or strain, if that same area begins to hurt again, it is important to have it examined. Re-injuries can sometimes lead to more complex complications if left untreated.
These symptoms can indicate:
- Fractures: A fracture that failed to heal properly the first time, leading to recurring pain and instability
- Post-traumatic arthritis: The development of arthritis specifically in a joint that suffered a significant injury in the past
- Chronic ligament laxity: Ligaments that have been stretched or torn and have not regained their original tension, leaving the joint susceptible to repeated injuries
- Scar tissue adhesions: Internal scar tissue from a past injury that can interfere with the smooth gliding of tendons and muscles
When to See a Hand, Wrist, and Elbow Specialist
If you are experiencing hand, wrist, or elbow pain or discomfort, it is important to consult a professional to receive an accurate diagnosis.
At Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, your evaluation begins with a physical exam, a review of your symptoms and medical history, and imaging when needed. From there, your provider will walk you through your options, which may include physical therapy, splinting, injections, or minimally invasive surgical procedures, and work with you to build a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and goals.
Knowing when to seek care can help prevent further damage, relieve pain sooner, and get you back to enjoying the activities you love.
Take the first step toward diagnosis and treatment. Schedule an appointment with a specialist today.
