A trigger finger is a very unpleasant condition caused by injury to the tendons in the finger. It manifests as a sudden, painful snapping when moving the finger. This occurs when the tendons responsible for bending the finger slide through the tendon sheaths. These sheaths are usually secured to the bone by annular ligaments. Often, it is necessary to straighten the finger with considerable force, or even with the help of the other hand, to avoid the painful snapping. However, when the finger is straightened, the thickened tendon can be forced through the annular ligament, causing a renewed, painful snap.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by increased pressure within the carpal tunnel. This can lead to compression of the median nerve, impairing its blood supply and disrupting its function. Typical symptoms include a sensation of numbness or “pins and needles” in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. If nerve damage persists, severe sensory disturbances and muscle wasting in the thenar (thumb muscle) area can occur. This condition is unpleasant and can affect quality of life, but there are effective treatment options available that can help relieve symptoms and restore nerve function.

The appearance of nodules in the palm is usually one of the first signs of a condition known as Dupuytren’s contracture. This disease causes the slow or rapid development of cords, leading to increasing flexion contractures of the fingers and, consequently, impairment of hand function. Unfortunately, the condition does not improve on its own in most cases. However, there is a possibility that the situation may stabilise at a certain stage. Patients under 40 years old with a family history, bilateral involvement, and manifestations also affecting the feet have a higher risk of an aggressive disease course, known as Dupuytren’s diathesis.

Osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint is a progressive condition that is often accompanied by pain and limitations in hand function. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms are activity-related and can be relieved by rest. However, over time, the pain increases and affects hand function even at rest. A characteristic feature of this condition is weakness in gripping with the thumb and pain during rotational movements, such as when unscrewing lids or opening door locks. To compensate for the restricted movement of the affected joint, misalignments may develop in neighbouring joints, such as hyperextension of the thumb’s metacarpophalangeal joint.

Symptoms of a ganglion can include restricted movement of the affected joint, pain caused by pressure and tension, as well as cosmetic concerns. If the ganglion is large, it can protrude noticeably, and especially around the finger joints, pressure on the nails may cause changes. Even small, invisible ganglia (occult ganglia) can cause long-term discomfort in the wrist.