Hand and wrist pain is often mistakenly attributed solely to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but that’s not always the case. One common misdiagnosis is ESS, which can lead to improper treatment. Let’s explore these conditions further.
Chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to certain cancers and heart diseases. Tendonitis is a familiar issue in the wrist and hand, occurring when tendons, which connect muscles to bones, become inflamed. This can happen in the flexor tendons, which bend your fingers, or the extensor tendons, which straighten them.
Tendonitis shares symptoms with CTS, such as pain, tenderness, and weakness, especially during repetitive wrist and hand movements. However, tendonitis pain is usually more localized, occurring right where the tendon is inflamed. For example, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects the tendons at the base of the thumb, causing pain on the thumb side of the wrist. In contrast, CTS typically causes pain and numbness in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger.
The timing of symptoms can also differ. CTS often causes numbness and tingling at night, disrupting sleep, while tendonitis pain can persist throughout the day and night.
Cervical radiculopathy, despite its complex name, refers to nerve compression in the neck. The cervical spine contains nerves that extend to the arm and hand. If a nerve root is pinched by a herniated disc or bone spurs, it can cause pain, numbness, and weakness that radiates down the arm to the hand.
Cervical radiculopathy can mimic CTS by causing hand pain, numbness, or weakness, but it also involves neck pain or stiffness and sometimes weakness in the arm or shoulder, which are not typical of CTS.
If hand or wrist pain is affecting your daily life, it’s crucial to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. They will review your medical history, conduct an examination, and may perform tests like X-rays or nerve conduction studies. This thorough approach ensures you receive the right treatment for your condition. While CTS is often suspected, a proper evaluation can identify the true cause of your hand pain.
