Hand diseases
There are a large number of clinical pictures relating to the hand that can have various causes. Restrictions in the area of the hand can arise, for example, due to injury or age-related wear.
Here you will find an overview of the most common hand diseases and their causes.
Classification of wrist diseases
In the following you will find the most common diseases of the hand divided into:
- Fractures of the hand
- Wear-related diseases of the hand
- Neurological diseases of the hand
- Congenital diseases of the hand
- Traumatic diseases of the hand
- Inflammatory diseases of the hand
Breaks on the hand
Distal radius fracture - wrist fracture
A wrist fracture is a fracture of the end of the spoke near the wrist (one of the forearm bones).
It is the most common broken bone in humans. The cause is usually a fall in which the patient catches himself with his hands.
Read more about this at: Broken wrist
Scaphoid fracture
The scaphoid fracture is the most common fracture in the wrist area. The most common cause of a fracture of the scaphoid bone (scaphoid bone) is a fall on the extended wrist.
The scaphoid fracture can be difficult to diagnose initially because the symptoms are often very weak. In the absence of treatment, however, the fracture usually fails to heal and so-called scaphoid pseudarthrosis develops. This is a "false joint".
Read more on this topic at: Scaphoid fracture
Wear-related diseases of the hand
Appointment with a hand specialist?
I would be happy to advise you!
Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)
In order to be able to treat successfully in orthopedics, a thorough examination, diagnosis and a medical history are required.
In our very economic world in particular, there is too little time to thoroughly grasp the complex diseases of orthopedics and thus initiate targeted treatment.
I don't want to join the ranks of "quick knife pullers".
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
You can find me at:
- Lumedis - orthopedics
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, appointments can only be made with private health insurers. I ask for understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Lumedis - Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
Finger osteoarthritis
Polyarthrosis is wear of the middle joints of the fingers (Bouchard arthrosis) or the end joints of the fingers (Heberden arthrosis) due to the consumption of the cartilage layer in the joint. The osteoarthritis ultimately leads to the narrowing of the joint space. This can lead to feelings of tension, mobility problems and severe pain.
Read more about this at: Finger osteoarthritis
Thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis
In the case of saddle joint arthrosis (Rhizarthrosis) there is wear and tear (osteoarthritis) in the thumb saddle joint. The layer of cartilage that protects the joint is worn down.
The thumb saddle joint is located between the polygonal bone (Trapezium) and the first mid-ray bone.
Read more about this at: Thumb saddle joint osteoarthritis
Flicking finger
In the case of a quick finger, the flexor tendon becomes thickened when the hand is used. The tendons of the hand are connected to the bone by so-called ring ligaments. Their job is to hold tendons to the bone as they flex.
As the finger is flexed and extended, the tendon passes under the ring ligament.If the tendon thickens in front of the ring ligament, the ring ligament can only be overcome with increased effort, but then quickly.
Read more about this under: flicking finger
Neurological diseases of the hand
The carpal tunnel syndrome
The carpal tunnel syndrome is damage to the median nerve caused by trauma, inflammation or degenerative changes, which in the long term leads to a regression or loss of the ball of the thumb muscles.
Typically there are nocturnal sensory disturbances in the first three fingers.
Read more about this at:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
and - Carpal tunnel syndrome surgery
Congenital diseases of the hand
Syndactyly of the hand
Syndactyly of the hand is a bony or connective tissue connection between two fingers in which there is no space between the fingers.
The disease is one of the congenital malformations of the hand.
Read more about this at: Syndactyly
Traumatic diseases of the hand
Scapholunal dissociation / SLD
In the case of a scapholunal dissociation / SLD, external force causes an injury to the ligaments in the carpal area between the scaphoid bone (os scaphoideum, formerly os naviculare) and the lunar bone (os lunatum).
The disease is typically preceded by a fall on the outstretched wrist.
Read more about this under: Scapholunal Dissociation
Dupuytren's disease
Dupuytren's disease is one of the so-called fibromatoses. More precisely, this leads to a benign, primarily painless, knotty and string-like increase in the connective tissue of the hand. This leads to an inhibition of extension of the fingers, or to the extension contracture of the little finger.
The most common locations are on: palm, ring finger, little finger, middle finger, and less often the thumb and index finger.
The cause of the disease is likely to be genetic. An injury or fracture can then trigger the symptoms.
Read more about this at: Dupuytren's disease
Sudeck's disease
Sudeck's disease is also called CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome). This leads to painful dystrophy (nutritional disorder) and atrophy (shrinkage) of the soft tissues (muscles, skin) and bones on the extremities with a typical stage-like course.
Read more about this at: Sudeck's disease
Torn off the extensor tendon of the finger
The cause of the extensor tendon of the terminal phalanx tearing off is often in sports accidents. The extensor tendon can tear away from the distal phalanx along with a piece of bone. Depending on the size of the torn out bone fragment, misalignments occur.
Immediately after the injury, it is noticeable that the distal phalanx of the finger is hanging limply.
Read more about this at: Torn off the extensor tendon of the finger
Inflammatory diseases of the hand
Tendovaginitis - tendonitis
Tendons are the connection between the muscle and the bone. In places of high stress, they are encased in so-called tendon sheaths. If these tendon sheaths become inflamed, one speaks of tendon sheath inflammation (tendovaginitis).
Triggers can be overuse, for example through too much computer work, or an infection.
With tendonitis, pain occurs in the affected area. These can spread along the course of the tendon and even radiate into the muscle. Externally, reddening and swelling can be seen.
Read more about this at: Tendovaginitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints. The inflammation is directed against the inside of the joints.
The disease occurs not only on the hands, but also on the joints of the entire body. In the beginning, it manifests itself gradually through swelling and overheating of the joints, pain when pressure or movement and the so-called morning stiffness.
Read more about this at: Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is a mostly chronic disease in which an inflammation of the bone occurs. The inflammation can spread to the inside of the bone and affect the bone marrow.
In most cases, the cause is an infection triggered by a pathogen. This can occur especially after operations or open hernias.
Read more about this at: Osteomyelitis
