Hand stiffness is a common symptom, making it difficult to move the hand or fingers. It often comes with pain or a reduced range of motion. This stiffness can range from mild and temporary, like after waking up, to persistent and debilitating, significantly impacting daily activities.
Joint-Related Conditions
Various forms of arthritis commonly cause hand stiffness. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, results from the gradual wear and tear of cartilage, the protective tissue cushioning bone ends. As cartilage erodes, bones can rub, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness that often worsens after rest or inactivity.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the synovium, the joint lining. This causes widespread inflammation, swelling, and pain in multiple joints, often symmetrically affecting both hands. Morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes is a hallmark symptom.
Psoriatic arthritis is another inflammatory condition linked to psoriasis, a skin disorder. It can cause joint stiffness and swelling, sometimes affecting the fingers and toes, leading to a “sausage-like” appearance in the digits. Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, develops when uric acid crystals accumulate in a joint, triggering sudden and severe episodes of pain, redness, and stiffness. These attacks frequently affect the base of the thumb or other finger joints.
Tendon and Nerve Issues
Conditions affecting hand tendons and nerves can also lead to stiffness. Carpal tunnel syndrome results from median nerve compression as it passes through a narrow wrist passageway. This compression can cause numbness, tingling, weakness, and stiffness or clumsiness in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger.
Trigger finger occurs when inflammation or thickening of a tendon sheath in the finger prevents tendon gliding. This causes the affected finger to become “stuck” in a bent position, often with a popping or clicking sensation when straightening it, leading to stiffness. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis involves inflammation of tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, resulting in pain and stiffness, particularly during gripping or pinching.
General tendinitis, which is the inflammation of any tendon in the hand or wrist, can also cause localized stiffness and pain, especially with movement. Dupuytren’s contracture is a progressive condition where the fibrous tissue beneath the skin of the palm thickens and tightens. This thickening can form cords that pull the fingers, most commonly the ring and pinky fingers, into a permanently bent position, causing severe stiffness and limiting hand function.
Injury and Overuse
Direct physical trauma and repetitive activities can contribute to hand stiffness. Acute injuries, such as fractures, sprains, or dislocations, cause immediate stiffness. This results from the body’s inflammatory response, swelling, and pain around the injured site, often compounded by immobilization necessary for healing.
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) result from repeated motions or prolonged awkward postures. These activities can lead to inflammation and micro-trauma in the muscles, tendons, and joints. This leads to persistent pain, weakness, and stiffness that gradually worsens with continued use.
Other Contributing Factors
Several other factors can contribute to hand stiffness, including natural aging processes and systemic health conditions. As people age, general wear and tear on joints, decreased joint lubricating fluid, and reduced tissue elasticity can lead to some stiffness, affecting overall joint flexibility.
Prolonged immobility, such as after surgery, wearing a cast, or a sedentary lifestyle, can also lead to joint and tissue stiffness. Joints and surrounding soft tissues become less pliable without regular movement, limiting range of motion.
Systemic medical conditions like diabetes can affect connective tissue, sometimes contributing to hand stiffness. Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, may cause generalized joint pain and stiffness, including in the hands. Scleroderma, a connective tissue disease, can cause skin hardening and joint stiffness, notably affecting the hands. Infections within a joint or surrounding tissues can also induce inflammation and stiffness.