Hand and elbow pain can come from a nerve, a tendon, a joint, a bone, a blood vessel or the soft tissue. Where it hurts, what it feels like and what makes it worse usually point to the cause. Numbness in specific fingers suggests a pinched nerve, a finger that locks suggests trigger finger, pain with gripping suggests a tendon problem, and deep aching with morning stiffness suggests arthritis.
Warning signs
- See a hand surgeon for numbness or tingling in specific fingers, a finger that catches or locks, a lump, a deformity, or pain that has not improved in 4 to 6 weeks
- Pain after a fall that has not improved in 48 to 72 hours also deserves a visit
- Go to emergency care for bleeding that will not stop with pressure, an amputated finger, a cut over a knuckle after a punch, or a cold, pale or blue finger
- Also go for spreading redness or red streaks up the arm, or fever with a hand wound
Treatment
Until your visit, rest from the activity that hurts, use ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, use over-the-counter pain medication if you can take it safely, and write down when it started and what makes it worse. At the visit, X-rays are taken the same day when a bone or joint problem is suspected, and you leave with a working diagnosis and plan.
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Questions patients ask
What causes hand and elbow pain?
Hand and elbow pain can come from a nerve, a tendon, a joint, a bone, a blood vessel or the soft tissue. Where it hurts, what it feels like and what makes it worse usually point to the cause. Numbness in specific fingers suggests a pinched nerve, a finger that locks suggests trigger finger, pain with gripping suggests a tendon problem, and deep aching with morning stiffness suggests arthritis.
When should hand or elbow pain be seen by a hand surgeon or in the emergency room?
See a hand surgeon for numbness or tingling in specific fingers, a finger that catches or locks, a lump, a deformity, or pain that has not improved in 4 to 6 weeks. Pain after a fall that has not improved in 48 to 72 hours also deserves a visit. Go to emergency care for bleeding that will not stop with pressure, an amputated finger, a cut over a knuckle after a punch, or a cold, pale or blue finger. Also go for spreading redness or red streaks up the arm, or fever with a hand wound.
What can I do for hand or elbow pain before my visit?
Until your visit, rest from the activity that hurts, use ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, use over-the-counter pain medication if you can take it safely, and write down when it started and what makes it worse. At the visit, X-rays are taken the same day when a bone or joint problem is suspected, and you leave with a working diagnosis and plan.
Who evaluates hand and elbow pain near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: Dolor de mano: ¿esperar, llamar o ir a urgencias?
El dolor de mano y codo puede venir de un nervio, un tendón, una articulación, un hueso, un vaso sanguíneo o los tejidos blandos. Dónde duele, cómo se siente y qué lo empeora suelen indicar la causa. El adormecimiento en dedos específicos sugiere un nervio comprimido, un dedo que se traba sugiere dedo en gatillo, el dolor al agarrar sugiere un problema de tendón y el dolor profundo con rigidez en la mañana sugiere artritis.
Señales de alerta
- Consulte a un cirujano de mano por adormecimiento u hormigueo en dedos específicos, un dedo que se traba, una bolita, una deformidad o un dolor que no mejora en 4 a 6 semanas
- El dolor después de una caída que no mejora en 48 a 72 horas también amerita una consulta
- Vaya a urgencias por un sangrado que no para con presión, un dedo amputado, una cortada sobre un nudillo después de un puñetazo o un dedo frío, pálido o morado
- También por un enrojecimiento que se extiende o rayas rojas que suben por el brazo, o fiebre con una herida en la mano
Tratamiento
Mientras llega su cita, descanse de la actividad que duele, use hielo de 15 a 20 minutos a la vez, tome un analgésico de venta libre si puede tomarlo con seguridad y anote cuándo empezó y qué lo empeora. En la consulta se toman radiografías el mismo día cuando se sospecha un problema de hueso o articulación, y usted sale con un diagnóstico de trabajo y un plan.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.