Wrist & Hand Pain Treatment in Hayes, West London
Whether your wrist or hand pain started gradually or after an injury, treatment is tailored to help you get out of pain, restore movement and get back to using your hand comfortably.
Our wrists and hands are involved in almost everything we do, from typing and driving to lifting weights, carrying shopping and opening jars, so when pain develops even simple tasks can become frustrating.
Symptoms may develop gradually through repetitive movements or overuse, or appear more suddenly following a fall or injury. Tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand can also sometimes originate from nerves further up the arm or from the neck.
Who you'll see
You'll be seen by Arjun Mehra, dual-qualified osteopath and chartered physiotherapist. Your treatment and rehabilitation come from the same person, start to finish, with over a decade of experience helping people reduce pain and stay active.
Appointments usually available within 48 hours, Monday - Thursday.
The Painful Wrist & Hand
Wrist and hand pain can develop gradually following repeated gripping, lifting or typing, or more suddenly following an injury. Depending on the cause, pain may be felt around the thumb, fingers, wrist or hand and can make everyday tasks increasingly uncomfortable.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis affects the tendons that move the thumb as they pass along the thumb side of the wrist. It commonly causes pain during gripping, lifting or twisting movements and is frequently seen in new parents, carers and people whose work involves repetitive hand use.
Everyday tasks such as lifting a child, opening jars, wringing out a cloth or carrying shopping can become particularly uncomfortable.
ou may notice:
Pain when gripping, lifting or twisting
Pain around the thumb, wrist or fingers
Difficulty opening jars or turning door handles
Pain during sport, gym or manual work
Tenderness or swelling around the wrist or hand
Wrist Tendinopathy
The tendons around the wrist can become irritated or overloaded following repeated gripping, lifting, sport or manual work. Pain may develop gradually and become more noticeable during activity or linger afterwards.
For persistent wrist tendinopathy, Shockwave Therapy may also be considered alongside rehabilitation.
Thumb Osteoarthritis
Thumb osteoarthritis commonly affects the joint at the base of the thumb and can cause pain, stiffness and reduced grip or pinch strength. Everyday activities such as opening jars, turning keys, fastening buttons or holding heavier objects can become increasingly difficult.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger develops when one of the finger tendons no longer glides smoothly through its surrounding sheath. This can cause the finger or thumb to catch, click or lock during movement, sometimes suddenly releasing.
Symptoms may be more noticeable first thing in the morning or after periods of reduced movement.
TFCC Injury
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) helps stabilise the little-finger side of the wrist. Injury can occur following a fall onto an outstretched hand, heavy lifting or repeated twisting movements.
Pain is usually felt on the little-finger side of the wrist and may be accompanied by clicking, reduced grip strength or discomfort when rotating the forearm or pushing yourself up from a chair.
Ganglion Cyst
A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled lump that commonly develops around the wrist or hand. Many are painless, while others can cause discomfort, particularly when pressing on nearby structures or during repeated wrist movement. The lump may also change in size over time.
The Stiff Wrist & Hand
Wrist and finger osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a gradual reduction in movement as the joints change over time. Everyday activities such as gripping, writing, opening jars or turning keys can become increasingly difficult.
Some people develop enlarged or knobbly finger joints, while stiffness may be particularly noticeable first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.
You may notice:
Difficulty bending or straightening the wrist
Reduced finger movement
Pain or stiffness after periods of rest
Reduced grip strength
Difficulty carrying out everyday activities
Wrist & Finger Osteoarthritis
Wrist and finger osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and a gradual reduction in movement as the joints change over time. Everyday activities such as gripping, writing, opening jars or turning keys can become increasingly difficult.
Some people develop enlarged or knobbly finger joints, while stiffness may be particularly noticeable first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.
Post-Traumatic Wrist Stiffness
Following a fracture, ligament injury or surgery, the wrist can remain stiff and restricted even after the original injury has healed. This may affect gripping, lifting and everyday activities that require wrist movement.
Reduced Wrist & Finger Mobility
Not all wrist or finger stiffness is caused by arthritis or a significant injury. Periods of reduced activity or immobilisation, previous minor injuries or simply reduced use of certain movements can contribute to the wrist or fingers gradually feeling less mobile.
You may notice difficulty bending the wrist, making a fist, fully straightening the fingers or comfortably gripping objects, even without significant pain.
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand can occur when one of the nerves supplying the hand becomes irritated or compressed. Where the symptoms are felt can sometimes give clues as to which nerve may be involved.
Symptoms felt in the hand don't always originate at the wrist itself and can sometimes come from nerves further up the arm or from the neck.
The Numb or Weak Hand
You may notice:
Tingling or numbness in the fingers
Pins and needles, particularly at night
Weak grip strength
Dropping objects unexpectedly
Difficulty with fine motor tasks
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the wrist. It commonly causes numbness, tingling, burning or pins and needles in the thumb, index, middle and part of the ring finger.
Symptoms are often worse at night or after prolonged gripping, typing or tool use, and more persistent cases may also affect grip strength or fine hand movements.
Guyon's Canal Syndrome (Ulnar Tunnel Syndrome)
Guyon's canal syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the wrist. Symptoms typically affect the ring and little fingers and may include numbness, tingling or weakness when gripping or performing fine hand movements.
Symptoms may develop following prolonged pressure through the palm or repetitive activities such as cycling.
The Injured Wrist or Hand
The wrist and hand are particularly vulnerable to injury during a fall, sporting accident or sudden twisting movement. Injuries can range from relatively minor sprains to fractures or damage to the ligaments around the wrist and thumb.
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, reduced movement or difficulty gripping and putting weight through the hand.
You may notice:
Pain after a fall or impact
Swelling or bruising
Difficulty gripping objects
Reduced movement
Tenderness around the wrist or thumb
Wrist Ligament Sprains
A wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the joint are stretched or torn, most commonly following a fall onto an outstretched hand. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty putting weight through the wrist.
Scaphoid Fracture
The scaphoid is one of the small bones within the wrist and is particularly vulnerable following a fall onto an outstretched hand. Pain is commonly felt around the thumb side of the wrist and can sometimes be mistaken for a simple sprain.
Scaphoid fractures can sometimes be difficult to detect early, so persistent pain or tenderness around the thumb side of the wrist following a fall may require an X-ray or further imaging to rule out a fracture.
Skier's Thumb
Skier's thumb is an injury to the ligament on the inside of the thumb, usually following a fall or when the thumb is forcefully pulled away from the hand. It can cause pain, swelling and a feeling of instability, particularly during gripping or pinching.
Wrist & Hand Pain During Gym & Sport
Loading the wrist in extension is a common trigger for wrist pain at the gym. Front rack positions, pressing, push-ups and handstand work all place the wrist in an extended position under load, and symptoms may become more noticeable after an increase in how much of this type of training you're doing.
Modifying usually beats stopping. Changing wrist position, using a neutral grip or wrist wraps, or adjusting which movements you load can often allow you to keep training while gradually rebuilding tolerance.
You may notice:
Pain during gripping or lifting
Pain with push-ups, bench press or overhead pressing
Discomfort during pull-ups, rows or deadlifts
Reduced grip strength affecting heavier lifts
Symptoms that linger after training or flare up the following day
Wrist & Hand Pain at Work
Your wrists and hands rarely get a break during the working day. Typing, using a mouse, gripping tools, treating patients, driving or carrying out repetitive manual tasks can all become increasingly uncomfortable when your wrist or hand is painful.
Desk-based work places different demands on the hand and wrist. Repeated keyboard and mouse use, prolonged wrist positions and limited variation in movement may aggravate symptoms, particularly during longer working days.
Manual and physical jobs often involve repeated gripping, twisting, lifting or using tools, which can make symptoms more noticeable as the day goes on. Some people also experience numbness or tingling, particularly when a nerve at the wrist is irritated.
You may notice:
Pain during typing or mouse use
Pain when using tools or lifting equipment
Difficulty gripping objects
Symptoms that worsen throughout the working day
Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
Numbness or tingling that wakes you at night
Reduced hand strength affecting your usual work
After Wrist or Hand Surgery
Recovery after wrist or hand surgery varies depending on the type of surgery, stage of recovery and activities you want to return to. Rehabilitation plays an important role in rebuilding movement, strength and function as you progress.
You may benefit from rehabilitation if you're:
Recovering after carpal tunnel release
Recovering following tendon or ligament repair
Recovering after wrist or hand fracture surgery
Recovering following thumb or finger surgery
Experiencing pain, stiffness or weakness after surgery
Looking to return to work, the gym, hobbies or sport
Hands-on treatment can help with pain, stiffness and surrounding muscular tightness, alongside rehabilitation to progressively rebuild movement, grip strength and function. Treatment will be adapted to your procedure and stage of recovery, while working within your surgeon's post-operative guidelines and any restrictions they've provided.
How We Treat Wrist & Hand Pain
Treatment may combine hands-on techniques to help with pain and restricted movement, with exercises to improve mobility, strength and grip.
Your assessment helps guide what you need. We have a broad range of treatment techniques and tools available, allowing treatment to be adapted to you rather than following a set approach. Depending on what's causing your symptoms, practical changes to aggravating activities, taping or a splint may also form part of treatment, particularly where the wrist or hand needs some additional support while symptoms settle.
What Patients Say
Wrist & Hand FAQs
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Not always. Many wrist and hand problems can be diagnosed through a detailed history and physical examination. Scans are usually recommended if we suspect a fracture, significant ligament injury, or if your symptoms aren't improving as expected.
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Not necessarily. Carpal tunnel syndrome typically causes numbness, tingling or burning affecting the thumb, index finger and middle finger, often worsening at night. Wrist pain without these symptoms is more commonly related to a tendon, ligament or joint problem.
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Yes. Ongoing pain after a fall shouldn't be ignored, particularly if it's around the thumb side of the wrist. Some injuries, such as scaphoid fractures or ligament damage, can be difficult to detect initially but may require further assessment to ensure they heal properly.
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In many cases, yes. Rather than stopping all activity, it's often possible to temporarily modify your training while the injured tissues recover. We'll help you identify which movements are aggravating your symptoms and develop a plan to get you back to full activity safely.
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Prolonged computer use, repetitive movements and poor workstation setup can all contribute to wrist and hand pain. During your assessment, we'll discuss your work routine, ergonomics and practical changes that may help reduce strain while keeping you productive.
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Most wrist and hand conditions improve with conservative treatment and don't require surgery. If we believe your symptoms would benefit from further investigations or specialist input, we'll explain your options and refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional where necessary.
Not Sure What's Causing Your Wrist or Hand Pain?
Wrist and hand pain can have a number of different causes, and you don't need to know exactly what's wrong before booking. That's what the assessment is for.
GET IN TOUCH
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, injury, or simply want to move better, we’re here to help. Get in touch and we’ll guide you in the right direction.
☎︎︎ Phone: 0203 773 5310
/ 07983 656 671
✉︎︎ Email: info@jigsawosteopathy.com
⌖︎ Clinic location: 70 Seaton Rd, Hayes, UB3 1NU
➜︎ Directions: View on Google Maps →
◷︎ Opening Hours: By Appointment Only | Monday – Thursday | 9am - 7pm
◎︎ Instagram: @osteo.arj
◉︎ Facebook: Jigsaw Osteopathy Clinic