Nerve Injuries of the Hand and Wrist

What are nerve injuries of the hand and wrist?

Nerve injuries of the hand and wrist occur when the nerves that control feeling and movement become stretched, compressed or cut. These injuries can affect your ability to feel touch, temperature and pain, as well as your strength, coordination and ability to use your hand and fingers.

Some nerve problems happen suddenly after an injury, while others develop gradually from pressure on a nerve over time. Without treatment, they can lead to ongoing pain, weakness and loss of function that interfere with work, hobbies and daily activities.

Find a specialist

Find a location

Your hand and wrist contain bones, arteries and tendons that can be impacted by overuse or injury.

A look at hand and wrist anatomy

Nerves travel from your forearm into your wrist and hand, branching into smaller nerves that serve each finger. The three main nerves — median, ulnar and radial — work together to provide sensation and control fine movements.

Because these nerves pass through narrow spaces around bones, ligaments and tendons, swelling, scar tissue or injury in these areas can irritate or damage them and disrupt normal nerve signals.

Overview

Symptoms

Nerve injuries may cause:

Numbness, tingling or “pins and needles” in the hand or fingers
Burning, shooting or electric-like pain
Weak grip or trouble holding or coordinating objects
Clumsiness, dropping items or difficulty with fine motor tasks

In long-standing cases, the muscles can become smaller and weaker over time.

Symptoms may worsen at night, with certain wrist positions or during repetitive activities.

Causes

Nerve injuries can develop in many ways, including:

Cuts or lacerations to the hand, wrist or forearm
Crush injuries or fractures that affect nearby nerves
Prolonged pressure on a nerve in tight spaces or tunnels
Repetitive motion or overuse that irritates or compresses a nerve
Swelling, scar tissue or cysts that crowd the nerve

Diagnosis

Your hand and wrist specialist will examine your hand, wrist and forearm, review your symptoms and ask about injuries, medical conditions and work or sports activities. The exam may include checking sensation, strength and coordination, as well as tests that gently stress or position the nerve.

To better understand the problem, they may recommend imaging or nerve tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound, MRI or nerve studies (EMG or nerve conduction studies).

Why treatment matters

Treatment depends on the type of nerve problem, how long symptoms have been present and how much they affect your daily activities. Many nerve conditions improve with nonsurgical care.

Nonsurgical treatment

Activity changes and ergonomic adjustments
Splinting or bracing to rest or protect the nerve
Anti-inflammatory or nerve-calming medications
Image-guided injections in select cases
Physical or occupational therapy, including nerve gliding, strengthening and coordination exercises

Surgical treatment

If symptoms continue, worsen or involve a cut or severely damaged nerve, your hand and wrist specialist may recommend surgery. Procedures may include releasing pressure around a pinched nerve or repairing or reconstructing a damaged nerve. The goal is to relieve pressure, restore healthy nerve function and protect long-term use of your hand.

Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.