A sudden twitch or pain in the thumb and wrist should not be overlooked as it can indicate underlying conditions or injuries that may require medical attention. If left untreated, it can lead to worsening symptoms, decreased functionality, and potential long-term consequences. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Krishna Poddar, Consultant Anesthesiology, Fortis Anandapur Kolkata, discusses the causes of such joint-related issues.
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Common Causes Of Thumb And Wrist Pain
“Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries,” said Dr Poddar adding that long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome can also lead to a feeling of needle piercing through the thumb, index, and middle fingers, especially at night.”
Explaining further, Dr Poddar said, “It initiates an internal pressure phenomenon that occurs when swelling from repetitive movements or when excess weight squeezes the median nerve within its canal. This is the nerve that travels through the wrist and provides feeling and movement in the hand. This pain can also occur due to rheumatoid arthritis or other types of inflammatory arthritis.”
The regular symptoms of wrist pain includes:
- Hand numbness
- Sensation of pins and needles
- Hand clumsiness
- Hand pain at night
- Hand weakness
- Wrist weakness
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis And Its Symptoms
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Dr Poddar said, “ It causes thumb joint pain in tendons-called flexor pollicis longus (FPL) around the base of the thumb, and on the inside of the wrist and forearm causing pain, tenderness, and weakness in the hand.”
The main cause of De Quervain's tenosynovitis is repetitive or prolonged activities that involve the thumb and wrist, such as repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting motions. Other factors that may contribute to the condition include hormonal changes, injury, or inflammatory conditions.
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What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that usually occurs in women, affecting almost 6% of the total population. According to a study published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, the differential vulnerability of the female population to hand-intensive work predisposes them to severe median nerve dysfunction at wrist with proportionately higher carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
Dr Poddar explains, “This is caused due to carrying or lifting babies, doing repetitive movements wrist, such as typing on a computer keyboard, using a computer mouse, playing racquetball or handball, or continuous sewing. Carpal tunnel occurs due to median nerve compression. Sometimes palm pain occurs due to radial nerve compression.”
In order to manage this condition, a consultation with the doctor is a must, advised the doctor. According to the cause of the pain, treatment will be provided, which includes physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Who Is At Risk?
Thumb pain can be caused due to the damage of ligaments in the thumb commonly because of contact sports or falls, said Dr Poddar, sharing further that it is also called a jammed thumb, or a “skier’s thumb”. People who overuse and overextend their thumbs, those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and individuals who are pregnant and breastfeeding are prone to the condition. But mostly people in their 40s or 50s are found to be at risk, he added.