Hand pain can significantly impact your daily life. Did you know 4-10 million Americans experience carpal tunnel syndrome each year, while arthritis remains a leading cause of disability? Understanding the differences between these conditions is essential for finding the right treatment and improving mobility.
At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic in Marrero, LA, we specialize in diagnosing and treating hand, wrist, and joint conditions. Whether it’s carpal tunnel, arthritis, or another issue, our experienced team is here to help you find relief and restore your quality of life. Schedule an appointment today to start your journey toward effective, personalized care.
Keep reading to learn how to tell if your hand pain is from carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis—and explore your treatment options.
Key Differences Between Carpal Tunnel and Arthritis Symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis both cause hand pain, but their symptoms, causes, and affected areas differ. Recognizing these differences is key to getting the right diagnosis and treatment for issues like wrist pain, finger joints, or thumb arthritis. For instance, arthritis can affect the distal interphalangeal joints, often causing bony growths called Heberden's nodes.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
- Weak grip or difficulty with everyday tasks like holding objects.
- Symptoms often worsen at night or after repetitive motions, putting pressure on the carpal tunnel space.
Symptoms of Arthritis
- Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in small joints, commonly affecting fingers or wrists.
- Limited joint motion, especially in DIP joints, middle joints, or wrist arthritis.
- Symptoms like morning stiffness or a dull ache that worsen as arthritis progresses.
- May include sharp pain, bony lumps, or signs of degenerative arthritis as protective cartilage wears away.
Risk Factors and Causes
Understanding the causes and risk factors for carpal tunnel and arthritis is essential for prevention and effective management.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the transverse carpal ligament in the wrist.
- Common factors include repetitive motions, underlying medical conditions like diabetes, and injuries to small bones (carpal bones) in the wrist.
Hand Arthritis
- Caused by joint inflammation from wear-and-tear (osteoarthritis) or when the body’s immune system attacks its tissue (rheumatoid arthritis).
- Risk factors include aging, family history, and joint injuries that may damage the joint lining, joint capsule, or tissue surrounding the joint.
Diagnosing Hand Pain
Tools and Techniques at Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic
Our specialists use advanced tools to diagnose conditions like wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. Identifying early symptoms is crucial, especially for those who may develop arthritis. Physical exams assess joint motion, morning pain, or nerve damage—common symptoms that can signal underlying issues.
Imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs detect damaged joints, bone spurs, or if joint replacement might be needed. EMG tests check nerve function, such as issues with the carpal tunnel space. These methods allow for accurate diagnoses and personalized care plans.
When to Consider Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Treatments
Non-Surgical Options
- Splinting, pain medication, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve symptoms like swelling, morning stiffness, or dull ache.
- Steroid injections for wrist arthritis, thumb arthritis, or joint lining inflammation helping reduce symptoms caused by degenerative arthritis or bone spurs.
- Physical therapy to strengthen small joints and improve range of motion.
Surgical Options
- Carpal tunnel surgery, such as carpal tunnel release surgery, for severe compression of the transverse carpal ligament.
- Joint fusion or arthroplasty for advanced arthritis, especially where joint capsule or protective cartilage is severely damaged.
Deciding Between Treatments
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, such as sharp pain or bony lumps in the affected joint, and how they impact everyday tasks. Mild discomfort in the same joints can often be managed with nonsurgical treatments to relieve pain, while advanced cases, especially those with joint damage causing pain, may require an upper extremity surgeon to perform precise surgical techniques. The goal is to achieve a pain-free joint and restore function, even in areas like the ring fingers.
Hand Care Experts in Marrero, LA
At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, we specialize in treating hand pain, including wrist arthritis, thumb arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Our team provides expert care to help you regain function and live pain-free.
What to Expect:
- Thorough Evaluation: Assessments to detect issues like immune system attacks, sharp pain, or nerve damage.
- Nonsurgical Treatments: Pain medication, physical therapy, or steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms.
- Advanced Surgery: Skilled surgical techniques to repair damaged joints, reduce pain, and restore joint motion.
- Patient Education: Guidance on managing small joints, DIP joints, or how many joints are commonly affected.
- Follow-Up Care: Support to ensure long-term recovery from wrist pain, arthritis progression, or carpal tunnel surgery.
Our goal is to provide compassionate care to patients in Marrero, LA, offering solutions tailored to conditions like middle joint inflammation, burning sensations, or putting pressure on small bones. Let us help you live pain-free and regain mobility.
Start Your Journey to Joint Pain Relief Today
At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, we are dedicated to being your trusted healthcare provider, helping you regain comfort, mobility, and a better quality of life through expert care tailored to your needs.
Don’t wait to address your orthopedic concerns—schedule an appointment with us today. Our practice in Marrero, LA, specializes in advanced treatments and personalized care to help you get back to enjoying the activities you love. Call us or visit our website to book your consultation now.
