The hand is involved in almost everything we do during a day, so even minor conditions have a disproportionate effect on daily life. The good news is that most of them have a clear diagnosis and are resolved with short, reliable day-case procedures.
Numbness in the thumb, index and middle finger that wakes the patient at night and settles when the hand is shaken is classic carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, worse when lifting a baby or a kettle, suggests de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. A finger that catches in flexion and releases with a snap is trigger finger. And a firm, painless lump on the back of the wrist is almost always a ganglion.
Clinical examination is sufficient in most cases. Nerve conduction studies confirm and grade median nerve compression, while ultrasound helps with tendon problems and ganglia. Splints, activity modification, anti-inflammatories and corticosteroid injections form the first line. When symptoms persist, or when there is weakness and muscle wasting, surgical release is short, safe and has very high satisfaction rates.
Do not ignore numbness that persists: prolonged nerve compression can leave permanent weakness.
to guide you about your condition, to choose the best possible treatment.
