The evaluation of hand pain begins with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with hand pain may include:

• Hand bruise
• Hand swelling (unilateral)
• Hand tenderness
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Skin redness and swelling of the hand
• Deformed hand
• Inability to move the fingers normally
• Finger joint swelling
• Poor circulation to the fingers
• Pale fingers

Tests that may be used to evaluate hand pain include:

• Anti-nuclear antibodies
• Anti-microsomal antibodies
• Anti-mitochondrial antibodies
• Antistreptolysin-O titer
• Complement titers
• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• HLA-B27
• Liver profile
• LE cell prep
• Kidney profile
• Rheumatoid factor
• Thyroglobulin antibodies
• Serum uric acid level

Additional tests that may be used to evaluate hand pain include:

• Arthrocentesis:
• Removal of joint fluid for analysis
• Bone x-rays:
• Normal
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Bone scan
• MRI scan of the wrist or hand