Overview of Wrist Pain Symptoms and Treatments

What is Wrist pain?

The wrist combines several small joints where the hand and forearm bones meet. The wrist joint plays a part in simple movements, from typing to writing. Wrist pain is a common condition caused by several resigns.

The sudden impact or injury develops wrist pains. For example, a wrist sprain may cause discomfort when the ligament stretches more. This type of wrist pain usually appears suddenly when the injury occurs. Let's explore common causes, signs, and treatment options for wrist pain.

What Causes Wrist Pain?

Many conditions develop wrist pain in our day-to-day lives. Here are a few common conditions listed:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that happens as the ligament thickens and places strain on the nerve. The nerve is compressed, which can cause pain, numbness , and weakness in the hand.

People who are obese or have diabetes or arthritis are at higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition is also related to repetitive work that involves lifting, writing, or using equipment that vibrates the hand.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes inflammation of the joints and occurs when the cartilage that covers the bones wears down. The disease can involve a wide variety of joints, including the wrist. Osteoarthritis of the wrist occurs more frequently in middle-aged or older people and those with a family history of the condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system breaks down healthy tissues. If the joints in the wrist are affected, this can cause pain.

Wrist Fracture

A wrist fracture is a common orthopedic injury. It can occur due to bone injury or weakness, such as osteoporosis. A scaphoid fracture causes swelling, pain, and tenderness in the area just below the base of the thumb (called an anatomical snuffbox). The pain becomes worse when someone tries to pinch or grab something.

Wrist Bursitis

Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the joints. When they become inflamed, bursitis occurs. It can occur in many parts of the body, including the wrist. Symptoms include tenderness in the wrist's tendons, redness in the region, and swelling.

Ganglion Cyst

Fluid-filled soft tissue cysts that cause wrist pain are called Ganglion cysts. They mostly form on the wrist opposite the palm but also occur on the palm side of the wrist. Smaller cysts often hurt more than large cysts.

Wrist Sprain

Typically, a wrist sprain results from dropping and twisting the wrist back as the hand hits the ground. This movement stretches the ligament too much.

Wrist Injury

Injury to the wrist may also cause pain. Wrist fractures include spinal cord, broken bones, and tendonitis. Swelling, bruising, or disfigured joints near the wrist can be signs of a wrist injury. Some wrist injuries can occur immediately because of trauma from an impact. Others can develop slowly.

Gout

The build-up of uric acid causes gout. Uric acid is a chemical produced when your body breaks down food containing organic compounds called purines. Most uric acid dissolves in the blood and leaves the body by urinating.

Sometimes, the body makes too much uric acid. Excess uric acid can deposit in the joints, causing pain and swelling. This pain occurs frequently in the knees, ankles, wrists, and feet.

Wrist Tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis can occur when the tendons in the wrist grow small tears or become swollen and inflamed. The condition usually occurs due to repetitive movements that involve the wrist.

Wrist Pain Symptoms

Wrist Pain Symptoms include:

• Pain: Discomfort or aching in the wrist, which may be sharp, dull, or throbbing.
• Swelling: Noticeable swelling around the wrist joint.
• Stiffness: Reduced range of motion and difficulty moving the wrist.
• Tenderness: Sensitivity or pain when touching or pressing on the wrist.
• Bruising: Discoloration or bruising around the wrist area, often from an injury.
• Numbness or Tingling: Sensations of numbness or tingling, especially if nerves are affected.

Wrist Pain Diagnosis

The doctors conduct a physical exam and prescribe some tests to assess wrist pain.

Physical Exam

• Bend the wrist forward for 60 seconds to see if numbness or tingling occurs.
• Touch the area above the median nerve to see if pain occurs
• Ask him to hold objects to test his grip

After a physical examination and review of symptoms, orthopedists diagnose wrist pain and the underlying condition by:

• Explorations of medical imaging include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
• Arthroscopy is a procedure that involves a small cut in the wrist. A small instrument with a camera attached is sent inside through the cut. The camera's images are projected on a computer monitor for the doctor to view.
• Nerve conduction studies measure how fast nerve impulses travel through the carpal tunnel region of the wrist.

Invasive diagnostic techniques are usually only used after rest and recovery from injury has been unsuccessful.

Treatment for Wrist Pain

A person's form of treatment will depend on the cause of their asthenia or weakness.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Wear a wrist brace or splint to reduce swelling and relieve wrist pain
• Apply hot or cold compresses for 10 to 20 minutes at a time
• Take anti-inflammatory or pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Have surgery to repair the median nerve; in severe cases

Treatment of Gout

• Taking anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• drink plenty of water to reduce the uric acid concentration
• cut down on high-fat foods and alcohol
• take the medicine your doctor prescribes to lower uric acid in your circulatory system

You Can Also Heal Wrist Pain By

• Wearing a wrist splint
• Rest your wrist and keep it elevated
• Take a mild pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• Place an ice pack on the affected area for several minutes at a time to reduce swelling and pain

When to Visit a Doctor for Wrist Pain?

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms

• You cannot move your wrist, hand, or finger.
• Your wrist, hand, or fingers are deformed.
• You are bleeding a lot
• Fever over 100° F (37.7° C)
• Rash
• Swelling and redness of the wrist and you have had a recent illness (such as a virus or other infection).
• Swelling, redness, or stiffness in one or both wrists
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in painful wrist, hand, or fingers
• You lost muscle mass in your wrist, hand, or fingers.
• You still have pain even after following self-care treatments for two weeks.

Home Remedies for Wrist Pain

The following a few home remedies can help relieve wrist pain:

• Rest the affected hand and wrist for at least two weeks
• Use of anti-vibration products with vibrating tools
• Wear a wrist splint or brace to rest the median nerve
• Do gentle stretching exercises for the hands, fingers, and wrists
• Massage the wrists, palms, and the back of the hands
• Wear work gloves to protect hands and wrists
• Apply heat to the wrist to help reduce pain
• Use an ice pack, which can also help decrease swelling
• Add material to the tool and utensil handles for a more comfortable grip.
• Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen