Injuries to the palm of the hand can cause pain in the index finger.
There are many causes for index finger pain. Various forms of physical trauma can break one of the bones in the index finger or cause damage to the connective tissue or muscles. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of neuropathy that causes pain in the index finger along with other symptoms. Pain that does not go away after a short time requires a visit to a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
X-rays may be done to determine if there is pain in the index finger.
A fractured or broken bone inside the index finger can cause some type of pain or discomfort. Moving away from the palm, the three bones of the index finger are the proximal, middle, and distal phalanx. In any of these three bones, some parts of the bone are still attached after an incomplete fracture. A complete fracture indicates the separation of the bone into two or more parts. Pain in the index finger is always more intense after a complete fracture.
Physical therapy can help treat index finger pain.
In addition to causing bone damage, physical trauma can also lead to damage and pain in the connective tissue or muscles of the index finger. Because the muscles that control the movement of the fingers are directed toward the palm, trauma to the palm can also decrease the mobility of the index finger and cause pain when a person tries to flex the hand. The nerves of the hand and index finger are also regularly affected by trauma. For example, accidents that result in deep cuts to the palm or index finger can damage nerves. Even after treatment, pain is a common side effect during nerve healing.
A person wearing a splint for index finger pain.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of neuropathy in which pain in the index finger is one of many symptoms. The carpel tunnel is a narrow area in the wrist that connects nerves in the forearm to those in the palm and fingers. Caused by repetitive movements such as prolonged keyboarding, symptoms include finger pain, hand numbness during sleep, loss of grip strength, and wrist pain. While these symptoms may not appear simultaneously, a hallmark of the disorder is that symptoms worsen over time.
A wrist brace can help relieve index finger pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome.
Resolution of index finger pain begins with consulting a medical professional. X-rays can easily detect bone fractures, and the patient will usually be instructed to wear a finger splint for a few weeks until a follow-up visit determines that the bone has healed. Trauma that causes muscle and/or nerve damage may require surgery and a period of physical therapy. Physiotherapy can also be applied to patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome; Special exercises along with the use of specialized wrist straps at night relieve symptoms in most patients.
