This involves pain on the top of the hand caused by strain to the extensor tendons. You may have localised swelling and pain on resisted movement. This can be caused by excessive use of the hand and is often work-related.

This is caused by inflammation of the peritendon and, because it is unusual in sedentary people, it has a strong association with excessive hand use. You will suffer pain and swelling and crepitus, which is a sensation of grating or crackling within the muscle during movement.

Epicondylitis is a musculoskeletal disorder relating to the inflammation of an epicondyle, which is a rounded area of bone where they fit together at joints. There are two types:

• Lateral epicondylitis, which is otherwise known as tennis elbow
• Medial epicondylitis, which is otherwise known as golfer's elbow or thrower's elbow

This is a pain in the thumb on the side of the wrist, which, in many cases, appears without any obvious cause. It can be aggravated by using your hands at work and at home, and symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling and, sometimes, clicking of the tendons.

This occurs when tendons in the hand become swollen or inflamed and, subsequently, catch in the tendon sheath. It can lead to a clicking sensation and often makes it very difficult for you to move the affected finger or thumb.

This is swelling within the carpal tunnel that causes a restriction of blood supply to the median nerve. This causes pain and swelling, usually to the index and ring fingers and the lower portion of the third digit, which can often be worse at night. The symptoms can be resolved by carpal tunnel release surgery. This problem can be constitutional or work-related.

This injury involves irritation of the ulnar nerve, which provides sensation to the little finger and ring finger, in a tunnel running down the inside of your elbow. The earliest symptoms include numbness or tingling in the little or ring fingers, and this numbness can become more constant in later stages of the injury.