What ailment could be causing my hand/wrist pain?

i am not a doctor, but have had the same problems for many years. so much that i wear braces on both wrists and have to have pain shots twice a year. it would be nice to know more about you, however a few good guesses could start with carpel tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. the weather concern and the fact that you feel a grinding pain indicate arthritis. to keep your wrists immobilized at night, you could try wearing wrist braces to bed. this really does help allot. if you write me with a few more specifics i may be of more help to you as i have a few more tricks such as heat and cold packs, 10 minutes alternating each when the pain is at it's worst, plus i can give you more information than i can write here. in any case, i hope i was of some help to you. by all means see you doctor as soon as you can.

Very likely Carpal Tunnel - what you've described is really classic carpal tunnel! You can get it from too much repetitive motion - the biggest causes are typing, writing, or even constant clicking of the computer mouse. Texting can cause it, but it's rare. Sometimes even certain sports that require lots of little repetitive hand/arm movements will do it. Some people, however, just develop carpal tunnel for no apparent reason. And you have to be careful - there are a LOT of other things that can have symptoms that mimic Carpal Tunnel almost exactly, so the only way to really know for sure is by testing for it. Carpal Tunnel is, essentially, a pinched nerve and inflamed tendon(s); essentially, it's a specific type/location of nerve entrapment/tendinitis occurring together. It rarely resolves on its own, although it can come and go. The most common treatment is surgery, although the surgery can cause a buildup of scar tissue which can have its own problems down the road. I have worked with some outstanding chiropractors who were trained to treat Carpal Tunnel and repetitive trauma injuries, and saw them work miracles on Carpal Tunnel patients. It's not for everyone, but I always suggest a consult with a chiro to see if one or two sessions can release the nerve and reduce the inflamed tendon before going ahead with permanent surgery. I think in about 95% of cases I've seen, chiropractic was completely successful with no recurrence. Other conditions which can have symptoms that mimic carpal tunnel are strains or sprains; simple tendinitis; nerve entrapment; arthritis of the hand/wrist/elbow; eosinophilic fasciitis; fibrosis/tenosynovitis; tennis elbow (sometimes the pain radiates all the way into the thumb/hand from an inured elbow); nerve tumors (which can occur anywhere in the arm/hand); Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. There are other systemic diseases that can cause Carpal Tunnel, or cause any of the other carpal-tunnel-like syndromes. These would be systemic autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, and neurological disorders. (There are several hundred diseases/disorders, actually, that can have your type of symptoms as a symptom of systemic disease, so it would be just too much to list them all here, especially without knowing any other symptoms you may be having). Some of the most common are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, and genetic diseases Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos; however, like I said, there are hundreds of others. The easiest way to diagnose it is an electrode test, a little like an EEG of your hand; it tells them which nerves are working and which aren't (which may be pinched) and where the inflammation is. An MRI is also excellent for ruling out other conditions. A blood workup should also be done to rule out systemic diseases if you're having any other symptoms.

You didn't mention if you feel tingly or numbness which would go with carpal tunnel.

Your problem sounds more like arthritis especially the stiffness in your fingers.

But the pain in your arm closer to your elbow could be more like a "tennis elbow" which is really a tendonitis of the muscle that pulls your forearm up. Only your doctor can tell you for sure. And he/she should be able to suggest an over-the-counter or prescribe a medication to help the inflammation on the days when it is worst. Don't be afraid to use medication it will help to prevent damage to your joints.

It sounds like you spend alot of time at the computer which is a sure fire way to start all those symptoms. Be sure to take breaks from the keyboard regularly--at least every two hours get up, walk around and stretch all over and be sure to stretch your arms, wrists and hands and if you can, stretch the hands and wrists more often.

It could be carpal tunnel also you could have some problems with arthritis too. Does the hands go numb and then you do have the carpal tunnnel because my husband and I both have it.

here is a little information on carpal tunnel

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. It occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Symptoms usually start gradually, with pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. As symptoms worsen, people might feel tingling during the day, and decreased grip strength may make it difficult to form a fist, grasp small objects, or perform other manual tasks. In some cases no direct cause of the syndrome can be identified. Most likely the disorder is due to a congenital predisposition - the carpal tunnel is simply smaller in some people than in others. However, the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome is especially common in those performing assembly line work.

Is there any treatment?

Initial treatment generally involves resting the affected hand and wrist for at least 2 weeks, avoiding activities that may worsen symptoms, and immobilizing the wrist in a splint to avoid further damage from twisting or bending. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease pain. Cool (ice) packs and prednisone (taken by mouth) or lidocaine (injected directly into the wrist) can relieve swelling and pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief.

What is the prognosis?

Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome following treatment is rare. The majority of patients recover completely. To prevent workplace-related carpal tunnel syndrome, workers can do on-the-job conditioning, perform stretching exercises, take frequent rest breaks, wear splints to keep wrists straight, and use correct posture and wrist position. Wearing fingerless gloves can help keep hands warm and flexible.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducts research on nerve-related conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and also supports research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current studies include several randomized clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of educational interventions in reducing the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome. Another clinical study is collecting data about carpal tunnel syndrome among construction apprentices to better understand specific work factors associated with the disorder and develop strategies to prevent its occurrence among construction and other workers. Scientists are also investigating the use of alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, to prevent and treat this disorder

Most people will diagnosis this as carpel tunnel. Especially because of what you say that you do. I had problems with my wrists on occasions, but happened to have an occasional bursitis in my shoulder, pain in my knee. After severallllll times of complaining to the Doctor he finally ran a blood test and found out that I have rheumatoid arthritis. The others had come so rarely they were not connected, especially since I work on a computer all day. But the carpel tunnel test turned up negetative.

It's most likely Carpal Tunnel Sydrome. My mother has this. Try using wrist supports. The doctor, if you're diagnosed with this, will insist you wear a wrist brace (not all day) for there to be an even amount of bloodflow through out your arm/wrist, and provide even distribution of support for your wrist.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/d...

You can get a wrist spint to give you some relief.

Like this:

http://www.orthoactive.com/products/page,shop.prod...

I got mine at Eckerd Pharmacy.

Also, as for joint pain, I have that, too. I recently started using this supplement and it has made a huge difference.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=...

Carpal tunnel syndrome...

Alot of computer programers and people who do repetative hand/finger motions for extended periods have this....You can take breaks wear a brace but you eventually have to cut back on certain activities that makes you hurt..

Also your symptoms could be arthritis..this is infamation of the joints of your body..

Talk to your Dr..........

Carpal tunnel syndrome at the wrist, but cud be arthritis onset?

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