Journey Series

Boutonniere deformity typically develops after an injury to the extensor tendon on the back of the finger. Initially, you may notice pain and swelling at the middle joint of the affected finger. As the condition progresses, the middle joint of the finger becomes bent (flexed) while the end joint becomes hyperextended. This creates a characteristic 'buttonhole' appearance, where the middle joint seems to sink in. The finger may become stiff and painful, especially when trying to straighten it.

Carpal tunnel syndrome often begins with numbness or tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers, especially at night. You might wake up feeling the need to 'shake out' your hand. As the condition progresses, you may experience weakness in your hand and find it difficult to perform fine motor tasks.

Chronic wrist pain typically develops gradually over time, often due to repetitive motions, overuse, or underlying conditions like arthritis. Symptoms include persistent aching, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the wrist. You may experience weakness in your grip, difficulty performing tasks that involve wrist movement, and occasionally, swelling or warmth in the wrist area. Pain may worsen with certain activities and could radiate into the hand or forearm.

Congenital hand abnormalities are present at birth, though they may not always be immediately noticeable. Symptoms vary widely depending on the specific abnormality but can include visible differences in hand or finger shape, size, or number; limited range of motion; weakness; or complete absence of certain structures. As the child grows, functional limitations may become more apparent, such as difficulty grasping objects or performing fine motor tasks.

Cubital tunnel syndrome often begins with intermittent numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, especially when the elbow is bent for prolonged periods. You may notice these symptoms when talking on the phone or sleeping with a bent elbow. As the condition progresses, you might experience weakness in grip, difficulty with fine motor tasks, and a constant aching pain on the inner side of the elbow. In advanced cases, muscle wasting in the hand can occur.

De Quervain's tenosynovitis typically begins with pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb, near the wrist. You may notice swelling in this area and difficulty gripping or pinching objects. As the condition progresses, you might experience a catching or snapping sensation when moving your thumb, and pain may radiate up your forearm. Activities involving repetitive hand or wrist movements often worsen symptoms.

Dupuytren's contracture typically begins with the formation of small, firm nodules in the palm of the hand. Over time, these nodules may develop into thick cords that pull one or more fingers into a bent position. The ring and little fingers are most commonly affected. Initially, you might notice difficulty laying your hand flat on a surface or putting on gloves.

Finger tendon injuries often occur suddenly during sports or work activities. For flexor tendon injuries, you may hear a popping sound and experience sudden pain, followed by inability to bend the finger. Extensor tendon injuries typically result in inability to straighten the finger. Swelling, tenderness along the finger, and pain when trying to move the affected finger are common symptoms for both types of injuries.

Hand arthritis typically begins with joint stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity. You may notice swelling, warmth, and tenderness in affected joints. As the condition progresses, you might experience pain during hand movements, decreased range of motion, and the formation of bony nodules near finger joints.

A hand fracture typically occurs after a direct impact or fall. Symptoms include immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the affected finger or hand. You may hear a snapping sound at the time of injury. Visible deformity or misalignment of the finger or hand may be present in severe cases.

Hand nerve injuries can occur due to trauma, compression, or repetitive stress. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the affected area. You may experience weakness in hand muscles, difficulty with fine motor tasks, or a complete loss of sensation. In some cases, you might feel a sharp, electric-like pain. The specific symptoms depend on which nerve is affected and the severity of the injury.

Hand tumors often present as a painless lump or mass in the hand or wrist. Initially, you may notice a small, firm area under the skin that gradually increases in size. Depending on the tumor's location and type, you might experience pain, numbness, weakness, or limited range of motion as it grows. Some tumors may cause visible deformity of the hand or fingers. In rare cases, rapid growth or changes in skin color over the tumor may occur.

Kienbock's disease typically begins with gradual onset of pain and stiffness in the wrist, often centered over the lunate bone. Initially, you may notice discomfort with activities that involve wrist loading or extension. As the condition progresses, symptoms can include decreased grip strength, limited range of motion in the wrist, and tenderness to touch over the dorsal (back) aspect of the wrist. Swelling may be present, and in advanced stages, you might notice a clicking or grinding sensation with wrist movement.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the hand typically develops gradually. Initial symptoms may include aching, tingling, or numbness in the affected area, often worsening with activity. You might experience stiffness or weakness, particularly when gripping objects. Pain may radiate from the hand to the wrist or forearm. As the condition progresses, symptoms can become more constant, affecting your ability to perform routine tasks. You may also notice decreased flexibility or range of motion in your hand or wrist.

Sports-related hand injuries often occur suddenly during athletic activities. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of injury but may include sudden pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or loss of function. Common injuries include finger fractures, ligament tears, tendon injuries, and dislocations. You might hear a popping sound at the time of injury, experience difficulty moving the affected part, or notice immediate swelling and pain.

Swan neck deformity typically develops gradually, often as a result of rheumatoid arthritis or after an injury. The condition is characterized by hyperextension (bending backward) of the middle joint of the finger, combined with flexion (bending forward) of the end joint. Initially, you may notice difficulty bending the middle joint of the affected finger or a tendency for the finger to 'snap' into a bent position. As the condition progresses, the finger may become fixed in this characteristic swan neck position, affecting your ability to grip objects or perform fine motor tasks.

Trigger finger often begins with stiffness or a catching sensation when bending or straightening the affected finger. You might notice a popping or clicking sound during finger movement. As the condition progresses, the finger may lock in a bent position, requiring you to use your other hand to straighten it. Pain and tenderness at the base of the affected finger are common, especially in the morning.

A wrist ganglion cyst typically begins as a small, firm bump near a joint or tendon sheath on the wrist. It may be painless initially, but can grow larger over time. You might notice difficulty in wrist movement, mild pain or aching, especially with repetitive wrist motions. In some cases, the cyst may cause a tingling sensation or weakness if it presses on nearby nerves.