Understanding Wrist & Hand Pain
Medical Review: Dr. Gerald Mastaw, MD – Board-Certified Physician
Last Updated: October 2025
What Causes Wrist & Hand Pain?
Your wrists and hands contain a complex network of joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves that allow for precise movement and strength. Because they’re used constantly, typing, lifting, gripping, they’re also prone to strain, inflammation, and degeneration over time.
Common Causes
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (nerve compression in the wrist)
- Tendinitis or tenosynovitis (inflammation of tendons)
- Arthritis (wear of cartilage in small joints)
- Ligament or tendon tears
- Overuse or repetitive stress injuries
- Post-traumatic pain or stiffness after injury or surgery
Typical Symptoms
- Pain or stiffness in the wrist, thumb, or fingers
- Numbness or tingling (especially at night or with typing)
- Swelling or tenderness
- Weak grip or difficulty opening jars or holding objects
- Clicking, popping, or grinding with movement
These symptoms can worsen with daily use, making even simple tasks uncomfortable.
Traditional Treatment Options
Most people start with conservative care to reduce inflammation and restore motion.
Common approaches include:
- Rest or wrist splints
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone injections for short-term relief
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Ergonomic adjustments for repetitive motion
When these methods fail, some patients are advised to consider surgery for severe arthritis, ligament tears, or carpal tunnel decompression.
However, surgery can involve downtime, stiffness, and incomplete recovery, especially in older or highly active individuals.
Regenerative Medicine for Wrist & Hand Healing
Regenerative medicine offers a biologically driven approach to healing. Instead of masking symptoms, treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and umbilical cord tissue–derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCT-MSCs) may help repair and regenerate damaged tissues at a cellular level.
How It Works
- PRP Therapy: Uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to stimulate healing in tendons, ligaments, and joint tissues.
- UCT-MSC Therapy: Delivers stem-cell-derived signaling molecules that reduce inflammation, modulate immune activity, and encourage tissue regeneration.
- These biologics can be injected precisely into the wrist or affected joints under ultrasound guidance.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced pain and swelling
- Improved grip strength and mobility
- Better tissue repair and flexibility
- Reduced reliance on steroids or pain medications
- Potential to delay or avoid surgery
Note: PRP and MSC-based therapies are not FDA-approved for wrist or hand conditions. They are considered investigational, though increasing clinical evidence supports their safety and therapeutic potential.
Recent Clinical Studies on Regenerative Treatments for Wrist & Hand Conditions
2025 – MSCs for Hand Osteoarthritis
Title: Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell injections improve hand function and reduce pain in osteoarthritis: a phase I/II clinical trial
Date: January 2025
Link: PubMed Central
Summary:
In this early-phase human study, patients with painful hand and thumb osteoarthritis received a single injection of umbilical cord–derived MSCs. Over 12 months, they experienced significant improvements in hand pain (VAS) and function (DASH scores) with no serious adverse effects. MRI scans showed reduced inflammation in joint tissues. The authors concluded that UCT-MSCs are a safe and promising therapy for small-joint osteoarthritis of the hands.
2024 – PRP vs Corticosteroids for Wrist Tendinitis
Title: Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injection in chronic wrist flexor and extensor tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial
Date: October 2024
Link: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Summary:
This RCT compared PRP and steroid injections in 80 patients with chronic wrist tendinitis. Both groups improved, but PRP patients had greater pain relief and functional recovery at 6 months. Ultrasound follow-up showed better tendon thickness and vascularity in the PRP group, indicating true tissue repair rather than just symptom relief.
2023 – MSC Exosomes for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Title: Clinical evaluation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosomes for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome
Date: July 2023
Link: Frontiers in Neurology
Summary:
In this first-of-its-kind pilot trial, 25 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome received a single ultrasound-guided injection of MSC-derived exosomes. By 3 months, participants reported significant pain reduction and improved nerve conduction velocity, with no safety issues. Researchers concluded that exosome therapy was safe and may enhance nerve recovery in carpal tunnel syndrome.
2022 – PRP for Thumb (CMC) Osteoarthritis
Title: Platelet-rich plasma injection for first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
Date: February 2022
Link: Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)
Summary:
Fifty patients with thumb base arthritis received either PRP or hyaluronic acid injections. Both groups improved, but PRP patients reported stronger grip, less pain, and better hand function at 6 months. The authors noted PRP is a safe, non-surgical alternative that provides sustained pain relief for thumb arthritis.
2021 – PRP for Chronic Wrist Ligament Injuries
Title: Autologous platelet-rich plasma in chronic wrist ligament injury: a prospective clinical study
Date: August 2021
Link: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Summary:
Patients with chronic scapholunate ligament injuries (a common cause of wrist instability) received PRP injections under fluoroscopic guidance. Over 12 months, they showed improved grip strength, stability, and reduced pain, without surgical intervention. Imaging demonstrated ligament thickening and improved continuity in several cases.
Is Regenerative Care Right for You?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have chronic wrist or hand pain that hasn’t improved with standard care
- Suffer from carpal tunnel, arthritis, or tendon inflammation
- Want to avoid surgery or long recovery times
- Prefer a natural, cell-based therapy focused on healing
At Stemedix, our team evaluates your history, imaging, and goals to determine whether PRP, stem-cell-derived biologics, or a combination approach may best support your recovery.
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
PRP and stem cell therapies for wrist and hand pain are investigational and not FDA-approved.
Individual results vary; always consult a licensed healthcare provider.
References
- Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for hand osteoarthritis. PubMed Central, 2025.
- PRP vs corticosteroid injection in wrist tendinopathy: RCT. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2024.
- MSC-derived exosomes for carpal tunnel syndrome. Frontiers in Neurology, 2023.
- PRP for first carpometacarpal (thumb) arthritis: RCT. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 2022.
- PRP in chronic wrist ligament injury: prospective study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2021.
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