What causes hand swelling?

Swelling after a fall, twist, or impact may involve a sprain, tendon injury, or distal radius fracture, which affects the wrist end of the forearm. Pain, bruising, reduced movement, or tenderness over a bone makes an injury assessment useful.

Swelling in several finger or wrist joints, particularly with prolonged stiffness, can occur with rheumatoid arthritis. Complex regional pain syndrome may cause swelling alongside marked pain, skin-temperature or colour changes, and sensitivity after an injury or procedure.

Remove tight rings early, rest the hand from aggravating tasks, and keep it comfortably elevated. Gentle finger movement can help prevent stiffness when it does not increase pain. Do not massage a newly injured or very tender area forcefully.

A clinician may compare both hands, check circulation and sensation, and assess the joints or bones. The right treatment depends on whether the swelling is traumatic, inflammatory, or related to altered nerve and pain signals.

Seek prompt assessment after an injury if the hand is misshapen, very painful, difficult to move, or numb. Get urgent help for rapidly increasing swelling, severe redness with fever, a blue or pale hand, or trouble breathing with sudden swelling.

Ask whether the swelling is coming from a bone, joint, tendon, or soft tissue, whether an X-ray or other test is needed, and how to protect movement while it settles.