Pain in Back of Hand

About the Symptom

It describes any painful sensation over the back of the hand, which may be pressing,sharp, burning or dull.

Possible Causes

Generally, Pain in back of hand can be related to:

• Fabry Disease / Lysosomal Storage Disorder

  Fabry Disease is a rare genetic condition caused by a problem with the GLA gene, which leads to a lack of an important enzyme called alpha-galactosidase A. This causes fatty substances to build up in the body, affecting the skin, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. Symptoms can include burning pain in the hands and feet, small dark red spots on the skin, and trouble sweating. If not treated, it can lead to serious problems like kidney failure, heart disease, and strokes.

• Neuropathic Pain

  Neuropathic pain is usually caused by an injury, disease, or problem with the somatosensory nervous system. This is a common long-term pain condition that greatly affects a person's quality of life. The nerves in this system are what let us feel things like temperature, pressure, and pain. This type of pain often feels like a burning, tingling, sharp, or stabbing sensation. It can be triggered by light touch or cold, and can be constant or come and go. It can also get worse when resting or at night. Neuropathic pain is often caused by viral infections like post-herpetic neuralgia, cancer, blood vessel abnormalities, alcoholism, diabetes, nerve pressure, nerve damage from surgery or accidents, and neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and shingles.

• Acute Porphyria

  Acute porphyria is a group of rare genetic disorders that impact the body's ability to produce heme, a vital component of hemoglobin in red blood cells. This disruption can lead to a variety of symptoms, including intense abdominal pain, nervous system issues, and psychiatric symptoms, with episodes often triggered by factors such as certain medications, hormonal changes, or dietary choices.

• Hand Eczema

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Are you experiencing pain in the back of your hand?
• When did you first notice the pain in the back of your hand?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your pain in the back of your hand at its worst?
• How often do you experience pain in the back of your hand?
• Which of the following best describes how your pain in the back of your hand appeared?

Find Similar Symptoms

References

• NHS

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-pain/pain-in-the-back-of-the-hand/

• Biehl, C., Rupp, M., Kern, S. et al. Extensor tendon ruptures in rheumatoid wrists. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 30, 1499–1504 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02731-1