Symptom Guide
Find out more about your Symptoms
Pain & Symptom Guide
Experiencing pain in your hand, wrist, or elbow? This guide is designed to help you find information by matching your experience to a patient story. Select a body part to begin.
Finger & Thumb Pain
Mucous Cyst
"I've noticed a small, hard lump near my fingernail, which seems to be causing a groove to grow down the nail itself. It's associated with a bit of arthritis in that finger."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- The cyst may leak clear, jelly-like fluid.
- It can become tender, red, or inflamed.
It's probably NOT this if...
The lump is in the palm or at the base of the finger (suggests trigger finger nodule or Dupuytren's).
Finger Arthritis
"My finger joints have become swollen and knobbly, especially near the tips. They're stiff and achy every morning, and simple tasks like opening a jar are a real challenge."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- A grinding or clicking sensation (crepitus).
- Weak grip.
- Joints may appear deformed or crooked over time.
It's probably NOT this if...
Symptoms are accompanied by fever, fatigue, or rash (suggests inflammatory arthritis like RA).
Dupuytren's Disease
"This started as a small, painless lump in my palm. Now, a thick cord has formed that is pulling my ring finger down, making it hard to lay my hand completely flat."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Aching or itching in the palm.
- Cords can develop in the fingers themselves.
- Associated with knuckle pads (Garrod's pads).
It's probably NOT this if...
The primary issue is a "locking" or "catching" of the finger when bending (suggests trigger finger).
Trigger Finger
"When I try to straighten my finger, it feels like it 'catches' or 'locks' painfully before suddenly snapping straight. This is most noticeable in the morning."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- The finger is stiff, especially in the morning.
- A "clicking" sound can be heard.
- Two fingers triggering at once.
It's probably NOT this if...
The finger is being pulled down and can't be straightened (suggests Dupuytren's).
Base of Thumb Arthritis
"I have a deep, aching pain right at the base of my thumb where it meets the wrist. Pinching things, turning keys, and opening jars is very painful."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- A grinding sensation (crepitus).
- Weakness when pinching.
- Limited motion, difficulty pulling the thumb away from the hand.
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is on the wrist side of the thumb tendons (suggests De Quervain's).
STT Arthritis
"The pain is a deep, nagging ache right in the centre of my wrist crease, near the base of my thumb. It feels different to the more common 'base of thumb' pain."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Tenderness when pressing deep into the wrist at the base of the index finger.
- Weakness in pinch grip.
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is a sharp "clunk" (suggests SL injury) or numbness is the primary complaint.
Wrist Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
"I often wake at night with a numb, tingling hand that I have to shake out. During the day, I find myself dropping things and struggling with fine tasks like buttons."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Pain radiating up the forearm.
- A sensation of swelling in the fingers.
It's probably NOT this if...
You have numbness only in the little finger and the little-finger side of the ring finger (suggests cubital tunnel syndrome).
Ganglion Cyst
"I've noticed a smooth, rubbery lump on my wrist, usually on the back. It doesn't always hurt, but it can ache after a lot of activity."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Tingling or numbness if the cyst is pressing on a nerve.
- The lump may change in size.
It's probably NOT this if...
The lump is hard like bone (suggests carpal boss).
Carpal Boss
"There is a hard, bony, and immovable lump on the back of my wrist that has been there for a while. It aches if I bend my wrist back too far."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Tenderness where tendons pass over the lump.
It's probably NOT this if...
The lump is soft or moveable (suggests ganglion cyst).
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
"I have a sharp pain on the thumb side of my wrist that's excruciating when I lift something heavy—like a child or shopping bags—or turn a key in a lock."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- A "catching" or "snapping" sensation when moving the thumb.
- Numbness on the back of the thumb and index finger.
It's probably NOT this if...
Pain is located at the fleshy base of the thumb (suggests thumb base arthritis).
Wrist Arthritis
"After an old injury, I now have a constant, deep ache inside my wrist. It's very stiff in the morning and I've lost a lot of strength and movement."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- A clicking or grinding sound/sensation (crepitus) with movement.
- A visible bony lump or deformity.
It's probably NOT this if...
The main symptom is numbness and tingling in the fingers (suggests carpal tunnel).
Intersection Syndrome
"I have pain on the top of my forearm, a few inches up from my wrist. Sometimes I can feel or hear a 'squeaking' or 'creaking' when I move my wrist."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Redness over the affected area.
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is located directly at the base of the thumb on the wrist (suggests De Quervain's).
Scapholunate (SL) Injury
"Ever since a fall onto my hand, I get a painful 'clunk' deep inside my wrist when I push up from a chair or do a press-up."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Swelling on the back of the wrist.
- A feeling of instability or giving way.
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is a diffuse, constant ache without a specific mechanical "clunk" (more like arthritis).
SNAC / SLAC Wrist
"I badly injured my wrist a long time ago. The pain, stiffness, and grinding sensation have been getting progressively worse over the last few years."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Grinding (crepitus).
- Swelling.
- Weakness.
It's probably NOT this if...
Symptoms came on suddenly without a prior major injury.
Forearm & Elbow Pain
Tennis Elbow
"I have a tender spot on the bony point on the outside of my elbow. It hurts whenever I grip something tightly, like when playing a sport or doing DIY."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Weakness in the wrist and grip.
- Morning stiffness in the elbow.
It's probably NOT this if...
Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers (suggests cubital tunnel).
Golfer's Elbow
"I have a nagging pain on the bony point on the inside of my elbow, which gets worse when I lift heavy items with my palm facing up."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Weakness in the hand and wrist.
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers may co-exist.
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is on the outer elbow (suggests tennis elbow).
Lacertus Syndrome
"My whole forearm feels tired, achy, and weak when I'm lifting things. I also get a mild tingling in my thumb and index finger, but my hand never 'falls asleep' at night."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Symptoms improve with rest but return quickly with activity.
It's probably NOT this if...
Waking at night with a numb hand is a primary feature (classic carpal tunnel).
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
"I have a deep, burning ache along the top of my forearm, a couple of inches down from my elbow. It's not a sharp pain, just a constant, annoying ache."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Tenderness over the muscles about 2 inches below the outer elbow.
It's probably NOT this if...
Pain is precisely on the outer bony point of the elbow (classic tennis elbow).
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
"My little finger and the side of my ring finger are often tingling or numb. My inner elbow aches, and it gets worse when my elbow is bent for a long time."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Weakness in grip, clumsiness.
- A "snapping" sensation at the inner elbow.
It's probably NOT this if...
Numbness is in the thumb, index, and middle fingers (classic carpal tunnel).
Lateral Intermuscular Septum Syndrome
"I feel a 'snapping' on the outer side of my arm, halfway between my shoulder and elbow, especially when I do triceps exercises. It's starting to ache."
You might also feel... (Rarer Symptoms)
- Symptoms can be worse after exercise or leaning on the arm.
- Tenderness when pressing on the outer arm bone (humerus).
It's probably NOT this if...
The pain is located specifically at the elbow joint (suggests tennis elbow or arthritis).
