These conditions can also cause pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily tasks.
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Why Are My Hands Locking Up?
Hands locking up can occur with several different medical conditions or be related to anxiety.
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Sometimes, hand cramps can occur from low levels of magnesium or calcium.
Here are some common causes of hands locking up.
Over time, the bones can rub against each other, causing significant pain.
Joints in the hand are often affected by osteoarthritis, causing them to lock up.
The condition begins with nodules that form in the palm.
Over time, the fingers can be drawn in toward the palm and become stuck in a bent position.
Early on, nodules from Dupuytren’s disease can be tender to the touch.
However, this pain typically goes away with time.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndromedevelops from compression of the median nerve in the wrist.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is a condition that affects the flexortendonsthat bend the fingers.
These tendons travel throughtendon sheathstunnels that allow the tendons to glide smoothly as the fingers move.
Tendon sheaths are held in place by structures calledpulleys.
In severe cases, inflammation can cause the finger to lock upeither in a bent or straight position.
What to Do About Hands Locking Up
Treatment for hands locking up depends on the underlying cause.
However, gentle range of motion exercises can often be helpful.
If exercises cause pain or make the locking up worse, stop them and consult a healthcare provider.
Find a hand therapy specialist using thisonline search linkprovided by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.
It can also occur as a side effect of anxiety.
Blood tests and X-rays are often used to help diagnose the underlying cause of hands locking up.
Treatment frequently includes range of motion exercises and activity modification.
In severe cases, surgery might be required.
Havard Health Publishing.On call: Remedies for hand cramps.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rheumatoid arthritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Osteoarthritis (OA).
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Dupytren’s disease.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Carpal tunnel syndrome.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Trigger finger.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Hand and finger exercises.
