Pain around the hand or wrist is commonly caused by:

• Tendon wear and tear – Pain
• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis
• Inflammation of the tendon sheath (tenosynovitis) – pain and swelling
• Thumb injuries (Skier or Gamekeeper thumb) – pain and restricted range of motion
• Inflammation of the joints (synovitis) – pain and swelling of affected joint
• Nerve injury and entrapment (Carpal tunnel syndrome) – pain, numbness and weakness
• Soft tissue lumps (tumour, ganglion cyst, lipoma)
• Trigger finger
• TFCC tear

Less common causes of pain include:

• Infections around the associated joints
• Circulatory problems, which may be caused by a fracture or other injury
• Dislocation
• Diabetic nerve pain

Since pain around the hand and wrist can have so many causes, an ultrasound can be valuable in providing an accurate diagnosis. See your doctor if you experience:

• Swollen fingers
• Difficulty making a fist or gripping objects
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands
• Lumps and bumps around the elbow
• Pain, numbness, or tingling that gets worse at night
• Sudden, sharp pain in the hand
• Swelling or redness around the wrist
• Warmth in a joint near the wrist

These symptoms suggest a possible infection or nerve impingement and should be investigated promptly. Numb or weak joint must always be taken seriously.

In many cases, wrist aches and hand aches have benign causes, and they improve with rest. If you don’t notice an improvement after rest and pain management, book a hand and wrist scan appointment.

An ultrasound scan is a quick and easy way to diagnose many causes of wrist and hand pain.

There’s no preparation required. All we suggest is that you wear loose, comfortable clothing because you’ll have to expose your arm for the scan.

It’s a good idea to leave jewellery at home.

First, you’ll be asked to sit and lay your hand on the examination table.

Once your arm is in the right position, the specialist applies a clear, water-based lubricant to the affected area.

This gel allows the ultrasound probe to move smoothly over your skin so that it captures accurate images.

Once you’re ready, the specialist moves the probe over the affected area. The probe captures images and projects them onto a screen.

After the probe captures enough images to make a diagnosis, the specialist will tell you that you’re done.

Your doctor will be able to give you a diagnosis right away and will give you a recommendation on the next steps to take.

After the ultrasound, you can go home and resume your daily activities. It’s a non-invasive, painless procedure with no aftercare required.