Hand or Finger Pain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Pain in both hands
Thumb pain
Fingers "catch" on something when I make a fist or open a palm
Can't move my fingers even though I put in strength
Clicking sound when opening or closing a fist
Hurt my finger
Thumb aches
Straightening my fingers causes them to "lock"
Fingers "pop" when I straighten them
Can't move my fingers despite trying hard
I have a pain in my thumb
Painful thumb
About the Symptom
This can be either part of or the whole hand or fingers and can be one sided or affect both the left and right hand or fingers. The pain may be pressing, sharp, burning or dull in nature. It may also be accompanied by redness and swelling. This may be an isolated finding or related to a number of other symptoms. There are also many potential causes.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Recent weight loss
- Peripheral cyanosis
- Swelling of the affected area
- Numbness / sensory disorder
Possible Causes
Generally, Hand or finger pain can be related to:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
A chronic inflammatory disease where the body's immune system attacks multiple joints, most commonly in the hands and feet. The cause and trigger is unknown.
- Hand Eczema
People who come into contact with harsh soaps and detergents are especially likely to develop this skin issue.
- Tenosynovitis
Tendons are cartilage structures that connect muscle to bone. Tenosynovitis happens when the layer or tunnel around the tendon gets inflamed. Causes include overuse or repetitive strain on the tendon.
- Fabry Disease / Lysosomal Storage Disorder
- Tetany
Muscle Cramps of All 4 Limbs
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Behcet's Disease
- Ingrown Toenail
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing pain in your finger?
- When did you first experience finger pain?
- Which of the following best describes how your finger pain appeared?
- How often do you experience finger pain?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your finger pain at its worst?
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Kaito Nakamura, MD (Rheumatology)
Dr. Nakamura is a rheumatologist who has practiced in the Ota Nishinouchi Hospital attached to Ota General Hospital, National Health Insurance Matsudo City Hospital, Chiba University Hospital, and the National Health Insurance Asahi Central Hospital.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I have a pain in the middle finger of my right hand
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- Straightening my fingers causes a clicking or snapping sound
- Discomfort in the thumb
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- I have a pain in the middle finger of my left hand
- Fingers "catch" on something when I straighten them
- Fingers make sounds when I straighten them
- Can't move my fingers at all
- My thumb hurts
- I have pain in the index finger of my right hand
- Can't open a palm because one finger remains bent
- Fingers "snap" when I straighten them
- I have pain in the index finger of my left hand
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User Testimonials for Hand or finger pain
Female, 20s
I had finger pain and hand cramps. I loved all the symptom check options; they helped me narrow down exactly what my problems were. It gave me suggestions about possible causes and urged me to see my doctor for some of the potential issues. It provided a lot of insight into my specific symptoms and what they meant regarding my health. When I went to my doctor, it helped me explain exactly what was bothering me. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a diagnosis right away, but we are trying other options first to see if anything else might help before taking any drastic measures. I'm really glad I found Ubie!
(Dec 26, 2024)
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FAQs
Q.
Should I See a Primary Care for Throbbing Finger Pain?
A.
Yes, you may want to see a primary care provider for throbbing finger pain. This symptom can indicate various underlying issues that may require evaluation and treatment.
References:
Hunt TJ, Powlan FJ, Renfro KN, Polmear M, Macias RA, Dunn JC, Wells ME. Common Finger Injuries: Treatment Guidelines for Emergency and Primary Care Providers. Mil Med. 2024 May 18;189(5-6):988-994. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usad022. PMID: 36734106.
Hoffman DF, Schaffer TC. Management of common finger injuries. Am Fam Physician. 1991 May;43(5):1594-607. PMID: 2021096.
Q.
What Could Cause Finger Pain and Swelling?
A.
Finger pain and swelling can result from a variety of conditions, ranging from minor injuries to more serious medical issues.
References:
Hasham S, Burke FD. Diagnosis and treatment of swellings in the hand. Postgrad Med J. 2007 May;83(979):296-300. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.2005.043992. Erratum in: Postgrad Med J. 2007 Nov;83(985):722. PMID: 17488856; PMCID: PMC2600075.
Su CY, Wu PH, Hsu TF, Chang KH, Hwang ZA. Woman with Acute Finger Pain and Swelling. Ann Emerg Med. 2023 Mar;81(3):e43-e44. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.09.021. PMID: 36813448.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Currie KB, Tadisina KK, Mackinnon SE. Common Hand Conditions: A Review. JAMA. 2022 Jun 28;327(24):2434-2445. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.8481. Erratum in: JAMA. 2023 Aug 22;330(8):772. PMID: 35762992.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35762992/