Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by increased pressure within the carpal tunnel and causes numbness and pain in the hand, most commonly at night. It causes constant numbness and weakness when severe. Surgery is successful in >95% of cases.

Ulnar nerve entrapment is caused by a combination of compression, traction and friction of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, especially when flexed. It causes pain around the elbow and numbness in the little and ring fingers. Nonoperative management should be trialled in patients with mild and moderate cubital tunnel syndrome. Surgery is advised in severe disease.

Trigger finger is caused by the tendon of the fingers or thumb catching, clicking or locking as it glides in and out of its tunnel (flexor sheath). Initially it causes pain at the base of the finger but eventually the finger locks when it is flexed. Nonoperative management is successful in >50% of cases. Surgery is advised if this fails or in severe cases.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the fingers is a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage, bone and ligaments causing pain, stiffness, weakness and deformity. A trial of nonoperative management is recommended for mild and moderate disease and provides at least short-term pain relief in ~50% of patients. Surgery is an option if this fails or in severe disease.

Thumb arthritis is a degenerative condition affecting the cartilage, bone, ligaments and muscles of the basal joint of the thumb, also known as the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. A trial of nonoperative management is recommended for mild and moderate disease and has been shown to provide at least short-term pain relief in ~50% of patients. Surgery is an option if this fails or in severe disease.

There are many other types of arthritis other than osteoarthritis, including rheumatoid, psoriatic and gout. They are important to diagnose as prevention and treatment differs. For some there are medications that can be very effective.

Ganglions are a benign outpouching of the joint lining or tendon sheath. A mucous cyst is a ganglion at the distal finger or thumb, adjacent to the nail. Ganglions can be painful. They can become infected if they rupture. Observation is a reasonable option if they are not painful or causing a functional problem.

Dupuytren's disease, also called Viking’s disease, is a genetic disorder causing flexion contractures of the fingers. It is a proliferation of fibrous tissue (collagen) in the palmar fascia, a normal layer in your hands. It slowly progresses and treatment is not usually considered until you have a problem with function.