Wrist Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

2022-07-30 00:00:00

Wrist is the joint that connects the forearm and hand. It contains many small bones that help you bend, straighten, and rotate your arm and wrist. Wrist pain can be caused by disease or injury that affects every aspect of the wrist, including the bones, ligaments, and connective tissues. It can also be caused by fatigue or a major problem. Wrist strokes and muscle strain are common causes, while pinched nerves in the wrist can also cause pain.

Causes of Wrist pain

Pain can occur for many reasons, be it simple fatigue or a major problem. The main causes of Wrist pain are

Wrist sprain

Symptoms of a sprain include:

Wrist tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis occurs when one or more of these tendons become swollen which causes the following conditions-

The most common causes of wrist tendonitis are

Arthritis

Several different types of arthritis can affect the wrist. They include

Wrist fracture

Symptoms of Wrist pain

The symptoms of wrist pain can vary depending on the cause. Osteoarthritis pain is often described as similar to a dull toothache, whereas carpal tunnel syndrome usually causes numbness or tingling, especially at night. The exact location of your wrist pain provides clues to your symptoms.

How to prevent Wrist pain?

Some repetitive motions can cause pain in the wrist or further injure it. Since most people spend a lot of time typing, they can change the desk setup to relieve irritation to the wrist and surrounding tendons. Following steps can help prevent wrist pain:

Treatment for Wrist pain

For chronic and severe pain, your doctor may recommend the following-

Home remedies for Wrist pain-

Self-care treatment can ease the pain in your wrist. They are especially useful for sprains or tendonitis. These are as follows

When to see a doctor?

It is important to see a doctor if

• Ligaments are healthy connective tissues which control joint movements. Ligaments around the wrist help stabilize the position of your arm and also let you control the movement and sprain is an injury to these ligaments.
• Sprains occur when the wrist ligaments are stretched beyond their limits. Some of the most common causes are uneven landing from a jump or ankle rolling.
  • Pain when moving.
  • Swelling around the joints.
  • Bruising or discoloration.
  • Burning or tingling sensation called paresthesia.
  • Tendons are strong tissues that pass through the wrist. They connect the muscles of the arm to the bones of the hand and fingers.
  • The flexor tendons of your palm allow your fingers to grasp objects. The extensor tendons at the top of your hand help your fingers straighten and release objects.
  • Morning stiffness.
  • Sometimes a little swelling.
  • Some people report crepitus (popping) when they move their wrist.
  • Repetitive wrist motion (Working with machine)
  • Sports that repeatedly put pressure on the wrist (golf, tennis)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome results from excessive stress on the wrist, especially from repetitive motion. This causes inflammation and scar tissue.
  • It can compress (pinch) the nerves that run through the wrist. This is called the median nerve. This condition causes pain that gets worse at night, plus a tingling sensation in palms, thumb, and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common workplace injury.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA):Inflammation of the joints that causes joint destruction and deterioration.
  • Gout Gout occurs when too much uric acid (a waste product of digestion) builds up in your blood. Excess acid leads to the formation of tiny, painful crystals in the joints and soft tissues.
  • OsteoarthritisThis occurs when cartilage, the connective tissue that covers the ends of bones, wears out. In osteoarthritis, bones rub against each other, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
  • Wrist fractures are a common injury that is more likely to occur in people with weak bones or those suffering from osteoporosis.
  • Scaphoid fracture is a type of wrist fracture. The scaphoid is situated on the side of your thumb which often breaks if you fall and hold the outstretched arm.
  • A scaphoid fracture causes swelling, pain, and tenderness under the base of the thumb.
  • The pain may get worse when you try to pinch or reach for something.
  • Lower your keyboard so that your wrists don't bend as you type.
  • Take regular breaks from typing and rest your hands.
  • Use a wrist rest with the keyboard, mouse, and trackpad.
  • Learn how to use the mouse with your non-dominant hand.
  • Injection or oral medications to relieve symptoms.
  • Carpal tunnel surgery to release pressure on the median nerve.
  • Surgical release of the compressed tendons.
  • Surgery to relieve bone-to-bone contact in arthritis. This may include procedures to maintain movement, such as possible wrist fusion, bone removal, or complete or partial wrist replacement.
  • Surgeons may use arthroscopic techniques for the removal of inflamed tissue (wrist debridement).
  • Rest Stop using the joint to reduce inflammation. However, don't rest too long. This can cause stiffness and slow down your recovery.
  • Ice Apply an ice pack every 3 to 4 hours for 20 minutes for the first two days. Do not use it for more than 20 minutes, otherwise you may damage the tissues.
  • CompressionWrap an elastic bandage around your wrist. Start at the base of the finger and go just below the elbow. Do it vigorously without stopping circulation. If your finger is numb, loosen it.
  • Immobilization In case of injury, carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist arthritis, braces or splints can help. Fractures may require a cast.
  • OsteoarthritisIn case of injury, carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist arthritis, braces or splints can help. Fractures may require a cast.
  • Wrist pain interferes with daily activities.
  • Numbness or tingling worsens and there is little or no feeling in the fingers or hands.
  • Simple hand gestures are no longer possible.
  • Weakness makes it hard to keep things going.