From verywellhealth.com
Along with ways to relieve stiff, immobile joints
Hands locking up can be a symptom of various medical conditions, or occur as a side effect of anxiety. Common causes of hands locking up include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture, and trigger finger. These conditions can also cause pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily tasks.
This article discusses hands locking up—potential causes, related symptoms, what to do about it, and when to seek medical attention.
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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. Sometimes, hand cramps can occur from low levels of magnesium or calcium.
Here are some common causes of hands locking up.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that occurs when the body mistakenly identifies its own structures as foreign and launches an attack. This condition affects joints throughout the body and can cause symmetrical symptoms as it develops, meaning it may affect both hands at the same time.
Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Joint pain
- Swelling in and around joints
- Stiffness
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Decreased energy
- Weakness
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when cartilage that provides padding between bones in a joint begins to break down. 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.
Osteoarthritis is not a condition that affects the whole body all at once, but it can occur in more than one joint at a time. If this is the cause of hands locking up, it often affects a specific joint in a specific finger.
Other symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:
- Joint swelling
- Decreased mobility in the affected joint
- Nodules (bumps) grow on affected finger joints
Anxiety
Anxiety and anxiety disorders can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including feeling like the hands are locking up. This can occur during a panic attack, along with other symptoms, such as:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Restlessness
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Difficulty paying attention
- Headaches
- Body aches and/or pains
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Excessive worrying
- Upset stomach
- Sweating
- Trembling hands
Dupuytren's Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture (also called Dupuytren's disease) is a hereditary condition that causes hands to lock up. This condition causes the fascia in the palm of the hand to progressively thicken and shorten.
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 syndrome develops from compression of the median nerve in the wrist. In addition to hands locking up, this condition often causes pain, and numbness/tingling in the area of the hand that is supplied by this nerve—the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is a condition that affects the flexor tendons that bend the fingers. These tendons travel through tendon sheaths—tunnels that allow the tendons to glide smoothly as the fingers move. Tendon sheaths are held in place by structures called pulleys.
Trigger finger occurs when the tendon, sheath, or pulley becomes inflamed, causing the tendon to "catch" as the affected finger bends and straightens.
In severe cases, inflammation can cause the finger to lock up—either in a bent or straight position.
Other symptoms of trigger finger can include:
- Pain with use of the hand
- Tenderness in the palm at the base of the affected finger
- Swelling
- Decreased range of motion
Hand Locking and Related Symptoms
Depending on the underlying cause, locking of structures within the hand can occur with other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
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.
Follow these steps for tendon gliding exercises:
- Begin with your fingers straight.
- Bend the large knuckles, keeping the smaller knuckles straight.
- Straighten your fingers.
- Bend your large knuckles and middle knuckles until your fingertips touch your palm. Keep the smallest knuckles straight.
- Straighten your fingers.
- Bend the middle and smallest knuckles, keeping the large knuckles straight.
- Straighten your fingers.
- Make a full fist.
- Straighten your fingers.
- Repeat this sequence 10 times.
Additional treatments for locking hands can include moist heat or ice, splinting, stretching, strengthening exercises, and activity modification, depending on the underlying cause.
Getting a Referral for Hand and Finger Symptoms
It's important to identify the cause of fingers locking up to determine the best treatment. Consult your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms. Blood tests and X-rays are often used to help diagnose conditions that can cause this symptom.
Your healthcare provider might also refer you to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist or orthopaedic surgeon, to assist with diagnosing and treating your condition. Rehabilitation with a certified hand therapist (CHT) is another common treatment for conditions that cause the hands to lock up. Find a hand therapy specialist using this online search link provided by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.
Summary
Hands locking up can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's contracture, and trigger finger. It can also occur as a side effect of anxiety. Other symptoms can occur along with locking hands, such as pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, and difficulty performing daily tasks.
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.
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