Pain In Palm Of Hand

Written By: Chloe Wilson BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed By: SPE Medical Review Board

Causes Of Pain In Palm Of Hand

The most common causes of hand pain on the palm can be grouped based on the type of tissue involved:

• Nerve Compression: causes tingling, numbness and burning pain in the palm e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendon Problems: cause pain with movement and gripping e.g. flexor tendonitis and trigger finger
• Soft Tissue Changes: leads to thickened tissue and tightness in the palm e.g. Dupuytren’s contracture
• Lumps & Swelling: may cause localised discomfort or pressure e.g. ganglion cysts
• Injuries: usually cause sudden, severe palm pain e.g. fractures or soft tissue trauma 
• Referred or Nerve-Related Pain: nerve irritation from higher up e.g. neck, shoulder or elbow

Understanding which category your symptoms fall into can help narrow down the likely cause of your pain in palm of hand and guide the next steps for treatment.

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

6. Broken Bone (Hand Fracture)

A fracture in one of the hand bones can cause significant pain in palm of hand, usually following trauma such as a fall or punching something.

Common symptoms:

• Sudden, severe pain in palm of hand
• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty moving the fingers
• Visible deformity in severe cases

Typical causes:

• Fall onto an outstretched hand
• Direct impact or crush injuries

The most common hand bone to break is the 5th metatarsal, but any of the hand bones can be broken. Find out more about the common causes and treatment options for hand fractures.

7. Peripheral Neuropathy

Nerve-related conditions can cause hand pain on the palm along with tingling, burning or numbness.

Common symptoms of nerve problems include:

• Sharp, shooting or burning pain in wrist and palm
• Pins and needles
• Numbness in the palm or fingers
• Symptoms that radiate from the wrist or arm

Possible causes:

• Cervical spine issues (referred pain from the neck)
• Nerve compression at the shoulder, elbow or wrist
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome – affects ring and little finger
• Median Nerve Compression – affects thumb, index and middle fingers
• Diabetes

Find out more about how nerve problems cause hand pain on palm in the Arm Nerve Pain article.

Rare Causes Of Hand Pain On Palm

While less common, there are some other conditions that can cause palm pain, including:

• Palmar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the connective tissue in the palm, causing pain, stiffness and progressive tightening in the hand
• Infections: Bacterial infections such as abscesses or cellulitis can lead to localised swelling, redness, warmth and pain in the palm
• Tumours: Benign or, rarely, malignant growths in the hand can cause persistent pain, swelling or a noticeable lump in the palm
• Autoimmune Conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation, stiffness and aching pain affecting the palm and fingers
• Vascular Problems: Reduced blood flow to the hand can result in pain, cramping or colour changes in the palm, particularly with activity
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): A chronic pain condition that causes severe, persistent pain along with swelling, sensitivity and changes in skin temperature

If your palm pain symptoms are unusual, severe or not improving, further investigation may be needed.

When To See The Doctor

You should seek medical advice if your pain in palm of hand is:

• Severe or worsening
• Following an injury or trauma
• Associated with significant swelling or deformity
• Causing persistent numbness or weakness
• Not improving after 1–2 weeks of self-care
• Affecting your ability to use your hand

Early diagnosis helps prevent long-term complications and speeds up recovery from palm pain.

How To Treat Palm Pain

Treatment for hand pain on palm depends on the underlying cause, but the good news is that most cases improve with simple conservative measures.

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1. Self-Care Strategies

• Rest & Activity Modification: Reduce or avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms, particularly repetitive gripping or heavy hand use
• Ice Therapy: Apply an ice pack for 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times per day to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after activity
• Support & Splinting: Wearing a wrist splint or finger splint can help offload irritated tissues and support healing. Particularly with carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories may help manage symptoms short-term.

2. Rehabilitation & Exercises

Targeted exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist can restore movement, reduce stiffness and prevent recurrence:

• Gentle Stretching Exercises: to maintain flexibility
• Tendon Gliding Exercises: to improve tendon movement
• Strengthening Exercises: to support the hand and wrist
• Ergonomic Adjustments: to reduce strain during daily activities

3. Medical Treatment

If symptoms persist or worsen, further treatment may be needed for pain in the palm of the hand:

• Corticosteroid Injections: Often used for conditions like trigger finger or carpal tunnel syndrome to reduce inflammation
• Treatment Of Underlying Conditions: e.g. managing arthritis, diabetes or nerve-related problems

4. Surgery

Surgery for hand pain on palm is usually only considered when other treatments haven’t worked, or symptoms are severe:

• Carpal Tunnel Release: to relieve nerve pressure
• Trigger Finger Release: to restore smooth tendon movement
• Ganglion Cyst Removal: if painful, recurrent or restricting movement
• Fracture Fixation: in more serious injuries

Most cases of palm pain settle within a few weeks with the right approach. Early treatment and addressing the underlying cause are key to a faster and more complete recovery.

Pain In Palm Of Hand Summary

The exact location of your symptoms is often the biggest clue to what is causing your pain in the palm of your hand.

Pain at the base of the fingers is most commonly linked to tendon problems such as trigger finger or flexor tendonitis.

Pain in the centre of the palm may indicate soft tissue changes like Dupuytren’s contracture or, less commonly, palmar fasciitis.

Pain between the wrist and palm is often caused by nerve compression, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or pressure from a ganglion cyst.

Deep, widespread or sudden palm pain, especially after an injury, may suggest a fracture or more serious tissue damage.

Identifying the underlying cause is key to effective treatment. Most cases of hand pain on palm settle with simple measures, but persistent or severe symptoms should always be assessed by a healthcare professional.

You may also be interested in the following articles:

• Hand Pain Diagram
• Pain In Back Of Hand
• Wrist Pain Chart
• Forearm Pain
• Pain From Shoulder To Hand

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Page Last Updated: April 29th, 2026
Next Review Due: April 29th, 2028

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