What Causes Nighttime Hand Pain?

As unusual as it sounds, some conditions of the hand can actually display worsening symptoms at night.

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is: for our immune system, our mood, our overall health and our happiness. But an annoying ache in your hands, can not only interfere with deep, restful sleep but also be an indication of a more serious medical condition.

Simple tasks that you perform throughout the day, such as opening jars, turning keys, using silverware, gardening or typing on a computer, can come back to haunt you with pain at night. Sometimes inflammation occurs over the course of the day, and puts pressure on the joints and nerves in the hand at night.

Conditions that can cause aching hands at night too:

Tendonitis Can Cause Nighttime Hand Pain

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons; the thick cords of the body that attach muscles to bones. Repetitive, minor injuries can result in this condition, such as raking, gardening, house cleaning, painting and even some sports like tennis or throwing/pitching a ball.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Can Cause Nighttime Hand Pain

In this condition, there is numbness, weakness, tingling or pain in the fingers or hand, from pressure being exerted on the median nerve. The median nerve controls feeling in your thumb and the first three fingers of your hand. Repetitive motion activities can sometimes cause this problem; in other cases, it may a genetic predisposition to a narrow carpal tunnel – the passageway that encases the median nerve.

CMC and Thumb Arthritis Can Cause Nighttime Hand Pain

In this condition, pain is located near the base of the thumb.  The CMC joint (carpometacarpal joint) is located here, and can be susceptible to arthritis. You’ll notice pain at the base of your thumb, and discomfort when gripping or pinching small objects like pens or keys

Dupuytren’s Disease Can Cause Nighttime Hand Pain

Dupuytren’s Disease or Dupuytren’s Contracture affects the fascia in the palm and the fingers of the hand. The fascia is a layer of tissue that functions to anchor and stabilize the skin on the palm side of the hand. In patients with this condition, the fascia thickens, then tightens, over time. This can cause a pulling back of the fingers; it the condition persists and is not treated, the patient may not be able to straighten the affected fingers at all.

Hand Doctors Can Diagnose Cause of Nighttime Hand Pain

As can be seen from the above descriptions, many conditions can affect the delicate structures of the hand, and lead to pain, stiffness, and discomfort at night or any time. If you or someone you know is dealing with these issues, reach out to Dr. Rehman today. Dr. Rehman is an orthopedic hand specialist, who will do a thorough and comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your nighttime hand discomfort.

She and our team of certified hand therapists will implement an individualized program of rehabilitation to help you return to a pain-free lifestyle. Don’t spend another sleepless night tossing and turning because of hand pain!

Macomb County Hand Pain Doctor: 586-532-0803