Wrist problems caused by injury, overuse, or degenerative conditions can limit daily activities. Fractures, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome are common sources of pain. Treatment includes rest, icing, medication, and surgery if necessary. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause wrist problems, with no cure but anti-inflammatory medication and exercise can help.
Acute and chronic wrist problems can significantly limit a person’s ability to enjoy everyday life. Pain, swelling, and weakness can make activities like typing and tying your shoes very difficult. Wrist problems are usually the result of injury, a sharp blow to the wrist, or overuse of the joint. Bone fractures, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are the most common sources of wrist pain. Degenerative conditions like arthritis can also cause pain and loss of motion in the wrist joint.
Injury-related wrist problems are classified according to the structures they affect. Fractures of the bone in the wrist or hand are usually the result of a direct blow or an awkward fall. A fracture causes immediate pain, swelling, and stiffness and should be evaluated as soon as possible by a doctor. Your doctor can determine the severity of a rupture and prescribe pain relievers. Most minor fractures are fixed with braces or a cast, although large breaks may require surgery to heal completely.
Other common acute injuries include wrist sprains and strains. The tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the wrist joint can stretch or tear from a sudden twisting motion or from the pressure of lifting a heavy object. The dull aches and weakness can usually be relieved by resting and icing the joint and by wearing protective wrap during activity. Severe strains occasionally require surgery to fix the tissues back together.
Many wrist problems are the result of repetitive overuse. Athletes, construction workers, and others who frequently work with their hands may suffer from wrist tendonitis. Overexertion causes the tendons to become irritated, inflamed, and swollen. The result is chronic pain, finger weakness, and wrist swelling. Tendonitis can usually be relieved by avoiding the cause of the stress and often by icing the joint. A severe or persistent case of tendonitis should be reported to a doctor to determine the correct course of treatment.
The nerves in the wrist can also be affected by overuse. Constant pressure on the median nerve, an essential structure that helps control the fingers, can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. A person with carpal tunnel syndrome may experience numbness in the fingers, tingling sensations, and throbbing pain in and around the wrist joint. Treatment usually includes splinting the affected wrist and prescribing pain medication to relieve symptoms. Patients can prevent recurring injuries by being careful not to put pressure on their wrists for extended periods of time.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a leading cause of wrist problems in individuals of all ages. The condition causes severe inflammation of the joints in the wrist and fingers and can spread to other areas of the body over time. Doctors aren’t sure what causes rheumatoid arthritis, and there is no reliable cure for the condition. However, the symptoms can be eased by taking anti-inflammatory medications and exercising your wrists regularly. Surgery is recommended when arthritis disables the hands or causes constant, severe pain.
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