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Hands

November 9, 2024

Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Hand pain becomes common as people age. Tingling, numbness, aching, stiffness, locking joints, and difficulty grasping objects are frequent complaints. The discomfort can diminish the ability to carry out routine functions like buttoning a shirt or brushing your teeth.

Hand pain can stem from a variety of causes. Common culprits include arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. However, injuries and ailments like diabetes can also lead to hand pain. Some diseases can even cause your hands and fingers to become cold and numb, triggering additional soreness.

Depending on the cause, effective ways to manage hand pain may include medication, assistive devices, exercises and physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. For some conditions causing hand pain that don't improve with other treatments, surgery may provide relief.

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