An aching palm refers to discomfort experienced in the central region of the hand. This common complaint can arise from various underlying issues. The palm contains numerous bones, joints, tendons, nerves, muscles, and connective tissues, all working together for hand function.
Overuse and Repetitive Strain
Many instances of palm aching stem from repeated use or physical strain. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) occurs when continuous, identical movements, such as typing or gripping tools, lead to microtrauma and inflammation within the palm’s soft tissues. This constant stress affects the hand’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments, causing persistent discomfort.
Tendinitis, an inflammation of a tendon, frequently contributes to palm pain, particularly affecting the flexor tendons that run along the palm side of the hand. These tendons are crucial for bending the fingers and thumb, and their irritation can cause pain, swelling, and sometimes a grating sensation during movement. This can make everyday tasks difficult.
Trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, involves inflammation or thickening of the tendon sheath surrounding the finger’s flexor tendons. This causes a finger to catch or lock when bent or straightened, resulting in pain and tenderness at the base of the affected finger, radiating into the palm. A small lump may also form on the tendon, hindering smooth movement.
Minor injuries like sprains and strains can also cause an aching palm. A hand sprain involves stretching or tearing ligaments, the fibrous tissues connecting bones, often from a fall onto an outstretched hand. Hand strains refer to stretching or tearing muscle or tendon fibers, commonly affecting tendons for finger movement. Both injuries can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in the hand.
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Nerve compression syndromes occur when nerves in the wrist or hand are squeezed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, and tingling that can affect the palm. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition from median nerve compression as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression can arise from inflammation or thickening of tendons within the tunnel. Symptoms include aching, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, often extending into the palm. These sensations often worsen at night or with repetitive hand use, and may cause a weakened grip.
Ulnar nerve entrapment involves pressure on the ulnar nerve. This nerve can be compressed at various points, most commonly at the elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome) or less frequently at the wrist (Guyon’s Canal Syndrome). Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, and sometimes pain in the pinky and ring fingers, particularly on the side closest to the pinky. While direct palm aching may occur, the primary sensations are in the two outer fingers, with potential weakness in the small hand muscles controlled by the ulnar nerve.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome causes pain on the inside of the elbow, but its effects largely manifest in the hand. Numbness and tingling in the ring and little fingers are characteristic, often increasing when the elbow is bent for extended periods, such as during sleep or while holding a phone. This condition can also lead to a weak grip and clumsiness. Guyon’s Canal Syndrome, a less common ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist, primarily causes symptoms in the hand, including pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the ring and pinky fingers.
Inflammatory and Degenerative Conditions
Inflammatory and degenerative conditions can also lead to aching in the palm, affecting joints and surrounding tissues. Osteoarthritis, often called “wear and tear” arthritis, results from the gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. In the hand, it commonly affects the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb, causing pain that can radiate into the palm. It often causes stiffness, worse in the morning, along with pain and reduced range of motion.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks its own joint tissues, leading to inflammation. This can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in multiple joints, including those in the hand and wrist, often affecting both sides of the body symmetrically. RA causes stiffness that lasts for more than an hour in the morning, and can lead to deformities.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup in the joints. While most commonly affecting the big toe, gout can occur in hand joints, leading to sudden, severe pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Gout attacks may last for one to two weeks. Although less common in the hands and often indicating advanced disease, it can cause pain and stiffness in the affected palm and finger joints.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If palm pain persists despite rest and basic self-care, seek medical advice. Increasing pain, numbness, or tingling sensations, especially if they interfere with daily activities or sleep, warrant professional evaluation. Also consult a healthcare provider if you develop weakness or difficulty gripping objects, or notice visible swelling, redness, or deformity in the hand or palm.
Prompt medical attention is also appropriate if pain follows a direct injury, such as a fall or crushing incident, particularly with severe pain, a popping sound, or inability to move the hand. If systemic symptoms like fever or unexplained weight loss accompany palm pain, these could indicate a more widespread issue. A healthcare professional can determine the underlying cause and guide treatment.