Common Causes

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Trigger finger

Mallet finger

Subungual haematoma

Paronychia

Rheumatoid arthritis

Trigger Finger

Commonly seen in people over 45 years, middle and ring fingers are usually affected. The affected finger is stiff in the morning, opens with difficulty and with a snap. Often there is nodule in the palm. Treatment is purely surgical.

Mallet Finger

Caused by a forceful injury to tip of finger, resulting in inability to straighten the fingertip. Due to rupture of a tendon. May be associated with fracture. Treatment is by applying a special splint in recent injury and surgical, if the patient presents late.

Subungual Haematoma

Blunt injury to tip of finger, causes bleeding under the nail, called Subungual ( Sub= under, Ungual = nail) haematoma. The pain gradually increases and becomes unbearable in 4-5 hours. Apply ice, take simple pain reliever. Contact your doctor, who may prefer to drain the clot by a small hole, drilled in your nail to relieve pain after getting an X-ray.

Paronychia

Bacterial infection of the nail bed due to poor hygiene resulting in a collection of pus under the nail. Treatment is drainage of pus.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which one gets burning sensation or feeling of pins and needles in the hand and the fingers. The person may feel clumsiness while working, may complain of inability to hold objects for a long time. Another common complaint is getting up in the middle of the night with burning in the affected hand, or getting up in the morning with stiff hand.

• It is due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The nerve gets pressed between the bones forming the wrist joint and deep transverse carpal ligament.
• It is approximately five times more common in women than in men.
• It is most common between 30-60 years.
• It is also common during and after pregnancy, in persons having poorly functioning thyroid gland, those who suffer from diabetes.
• It may occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rarely after wrist fracture.
• Also at risk are people using vibrating machinery and computers.

Symptons of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptoms consist of altered sensations, burning and numbness of hand, weakness or clumsiness, relieved by exercise.

Diagnosis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Diagnosis is proved by measuring electric conduction across the nerve and by Electromyography of muscles of hand.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment consists of avoiding precipitating and aggravating factors, wearing a wrist support. In cases presenting late surgical release of the nerve ensures cure.

Uncommon Causes

Cervical Spondylosis

Cervical Disc Lesions.

Cervical Rib.

Glomus tumour