Description

Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. But wrist pain can also be the result of long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Due to the many factors that can lead to wrist pain, diagnosing the exact cause can be difficult. But an accurate diagnosis is essential for proper treatment and healing.

Symptoms

Wrist pain may vary, depending on the cause. For example, osteoarthritis pain is often described as being similar to a dull toothache. Carpal tunnel syndrome usually causes a pins and needles sensation. This tingling sensation often occurs in the thumb and the index and middle fingers, especially at night. The precise location of wrist pain also provides clues as to what is behind the symptoms.

When to see a doctor

Not all wrist pain requires medical attention. Minor sprains and strains usually respond to ice, rest, and pain medications you can buy without a prescription. But if pain and swelling last longer than a couple of days or worsen, consult your health care professional. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing, decrease in range of motion and long-term disability.

Causes

Damage to any of the parties of the wrist can cause pain and affect your ability to use your wrist and hand. The damage can be the result of:

Injuries

  • Sudden impacts. Wrist injuries often occur when you fall forward into his outstretched hand. This can cause sprains, strains and even fractures. A fracture of the scaphoid involves a bone on the thumb side of the wrist. This type of fracture may not show up on x-rays immediately after the injury.
  • Repetitive stress. Any activity that involves the movement of the wrist to do it again and again can become inflamed tissues around the joints or cause stress fractures. Some examples include hitting a tennis ball, bowing a cello or driving cross-country. The risk of injury is increased when performing the movement for hours and hours without a break. De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a repetitive stress injury that causes pain at the base of the thumb.

Arthritis

  • Osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis occurs when the cartilage that protects the ends of the bones deteriorates with time. Osteoarthritis in the wrist is uncommon and usually only occurs in people who have injuries of the wrist in the past.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis. A disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues, rheumatoid arthritis usually involves the wrist. If one wrist is affected, the other one usually is too.

Other diseases and conditions

  • The carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome develops when there is increased pressure on the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a passageway on the palm side of the wrist.
  • Ganglion cysts. These soft tissue cysts occur more often in the part of the opposite wrist to the palm of the hand. Ganglion cysts can be painful, and the pain may worsen or improve with activity.
  • The disease of Kienbock. This disorder tends to affect young adults and involves the progressive collapse of one of the small bones in the wrist. The disease of Kienbock occurs when there is not enough blood supply to this bone.

Risk factors

Wrist pain can happen to anyone — if you are very sedentary, very active or somewhere in the middle. But the risk can be increased by:

  • Sports participation. Wrist injuries are common in many sports, both those that involve the impact and that involve repetitive stress on the wrist. These can include football, bowling, golf, gymnastics, skiing, and tennis.
  • The repetitive work. Almost any repetitive activity that involves the hands and wrists can cause pain in the wrist. Even tissue and the hair cut, if done with enough force, and often leads to pain in the wrist.
  • Certain diseases or conditions. Pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout may increase the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Prevention

It is impossible to avoid the unforeseen events that often cause injuries to the wrist, but these basic tips may offer some protection:

  • Build the strength of the bones. Getting the proper amount of calcium can help prevent fractures. For most adults, which means 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day.
  • To prevent falls. Falling forward onto an outstretched hand is the main cause of most injuries in the wrist. To help prevent falls, wear comfortable shoes. Eliminate hazards in the home. The light of your living space. And install grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on the stairs, if it is necessary.
  • The use of personal protective equipment for sports activities. Wear wrist guards for high-risk activities, such as football, snowboarding and in-line skating.
  • Pay attention to ergonomics. If you spend a lot of time at a keyboard, take regular breaks. When typing, keep your wrists in a relaxed, neutral position. An ergonomic keyboard and a foam or gel wrist support can help.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your health care professional may:

  • Check your wrist for tenderness, swelling or deformity.
  • Ask to move your wrist to check for a decrease in your range of motion.
  • Check your grip strength and forearm strength.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests may include:

  • X-ray. This is the most commonly used test of pain in the wrist. The use of a small amount of radiation, X-rays can reveal bone fractures or signs of osteoarthritis.
  • CT. This analysis can provide more detailed views of the bones of the wrist. CT can detect fractures that do not appear on x-rays.
  • The magnetic resonance imaging. This test uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of the bones and soft tissues. To a wrist magnetic resonance, you may be able to insert their arm into a smaller device in place of a whole-body mri machine.
  • Ultrasound. This simple, non-invasive test can help to examine the tendons, ligaments, and cysts.

Arthroscopy

If the results of imaging tests do not provide enough information, you might need an arthroscopy. This procedure uses a pencil-sized instrument called an arthroscope. The arthroscope is inserted into the wrist through a small incision in the skin. The instrument contains a light and a tiny camera that projects images on a tv monitor. Arthroscopy is considered the gold standard to assess long-term pain of the wrist. In some cases, an orthopedic surgeon can repair wrist problems through the arthroscope.

Nerve tests

Your health care professional may order an electromyogram (EMG) if the carpal tunnel syndrome is suspected. The EMG measures the tiny electrical discharges produced in muscles. A thin needle electrode is inserted into the muscle, and its electrical activity is recorded when the muscle is at rest and when it shrinks. Nerve conduction studies are also carried out to check to see if electrical impulses are decreased in the region of the carpal tunnel.

Treatment

Treatments for wrist problems vary greatly depending on the type, location and severity of the injury. Your age and overall health may also play a role in the treatment.

Medications

Nonprescription pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), can help reduce the pain of the wrist. Stronger pain relievers are available with a prescription. Corticosteroid injections may also be considered for some conditions.

Therapy

A physical therapist can apply specific treatments and exercises for injuries to the wrist and tendon problems. If you need surgery, your physical therapist can help with the rehabilitation after the operation. You can benefit from having an ergonomic assessment to talk about the workplace factors that may be contributing to the pain of the wrist.

If you have a broken bone in his wrist, the parts that typically need to be placed so that the bone can heal properly. A cast or a splint may help to hold the bone fragments together while they heal.

If you have a sprained or strained your wrist, you may need to wear a splint to protect the injured tendon or ligament while it heals. The splints are especially useful with the excessive use of the injuries caused by repetitive movements.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary. Examples include:

  • Fractures of the bones. In some cases, surgery may be needed to stabilize fractures of the bones to allow healing. A surgeon may need to connect the fragments of bone together with metal hardware.
  • The carpal tunnel syndrome. If your symptoms are severe, you may need a surgical procedure. During the surgery, carpal tunnel release, the ligament that forms the roof of the tunnel is cut open to relieve the pressure on the nerve.
  • Tendon or ligament repair. Surgery is sometimes needed to repair the tendons, or ligaments that have been broken.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Wrist pain does not always require medical treatment. For a minor wrist injury, apply ice and wrap around your wrist with an elastic bandage.

Preparing for your appointment

Although you may first consult your health care professional, who may refer you to a specialist. You may consult with an orthopedic surgeon, a physical medicine and rehabilitation expert or a health care professional specializing in sports medicine. If arthritis is suspected, you may be referred to a specialist in disorders of the joint, called a rheumatologist.

What you can do

You can write a list that includes:

  • Detailed descriptions of your symptoms.
  • The information about the medical problems you have had or have.
  • Information about the health problems of your parents or siblings.
  • All of the medications and supplements you are taking.
  • Questions you want to ask to the professional of the health.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care team may ask some of the following questions:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Do your symptoms seem to be connected to a recent injury?
  • Do any of the specific movement of the wrist trigger the pain?
  • Is there any numbness or tingling sensation in the hand?
  • You're right-or left-handed?
  • What is your occupation? Requires a large amount of movement of the wrist?
  • It does not take part in sports or hobbies that place stress on the wrist?
Symptoms and treatment of pain in the Wrist