Here are three of the most common causes of wrist pain and what you can do to resolve it.
1. General Wrist Tendinitis:
General wrist tendinitis is characterized by pain anywhere around the side or back of the wrist – and usually gripping or weight bearing can cause a lot of pain.
With wrist tendinitis, the source of the problem typically has to do with an imbalance around the elbow area since the muscles of the wrist start at the elbow.
It’s very tempting to just wear a brace or get a cortisone shot – to reduce the inflammation caused by this wear and tear. But then you’re only addressing the symptoms…
If you truly want to put an end to wrist tendinitis, you’ll need to find the cause of this problem.
Typically, it’s from movement habits that are the result of an imbalance somewhere between your elbow and shoulder. When you figure that out, you’ll restore healthy, balanced movement in your wrist again – and reduce the aggravation at your hand and wrist.
2. De Quervain’s tendinitis:
This wrist pain is at the base of your thumb area and usually hurts when grabbing and twisting. At its worse, you can’t even pull your pants up and down.
Again, you can wear a wrist brace, get a cortisone shot, or wait until it’s worse so that you can become a candidate for surgery.
The most common treatment for De Quervain’s is to wear a brace for 1 month – but you have to get the right brace. It’s called a thumb spica, and should stop the thumb from moving but not the tip of the thumb.
Worn too long or having a wrong wearing schedule can make it worse. So make sure to come out of the splint and gently move in a pain-free range. But if you can’t wean from the splint, it might be time to get professional help.
3. Carpal tunnel syndrome:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common reason that people call us for wrist pain. It’s a combination of wrist pain and hand pain. But the most important component of this problem is the numbness in the tips of the fingers.
CTS usually is associated with numbness and hand/wrist pain that wakes you up at night.
One of the ways to start to treat it yourself is with an over-the-counter wrist brace. Wear it every night for 1 month. Then wean out of it. If it is still causing you pain when you wake up, or you have a lot more pain during the day – then it may not just be CTS.
If you have tried:
1. Using a brace
2. Stretching
3. Cortisone shots
….and your wrist pain is still there…consider giving us a call and requesting to speak with our specialist. Especially if you are serious about avoiding pills, injections, and surgery. Wrist pain usually gets worse to the point where pills and injections don’t help. Some wrist pain is so generalized that surgery is not even an option.
So give me a call if you have any questions about wrist pain that hasn’t gone away…I’m happy to answer any questions you have about your wrist pain.
No matter if it has been weeks, months, or years – it is possible to get rid of it as long as you figure out what’s causing it in the first place.
Written by Hoang Tran
About the author – Hoang Tran: an expert in hand therapy
Hoang Tran is a certified hand therapist, the owner of Hands-on Therapy Services, and the author of the book “The Hands-On Approach”. She loves helping people with hand, neck, and shoulder problems because she knows how bad and debilitating they can get if not addressed and treated properly (once and for all!).
The aim of her Miami occupational therapy practice is to bring patients back to full functionality, without pills, injections, or surgery. Occupational and Physical Therapy are both offered at Hands-On Therapy by our experienced therapists who provide a comprehensive approach to your care.
If you are struggling with hand and wrist pain, including
- Thumb arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Mallet Finger
- Trigger Finger Or Trigger Thumb
- Finger arthritis
or any other hand or wrist condition, speak with one of our specialists for FREE by signing up for a 30-minute Discovery Visit here! Talk to our specialist first before booking any paid session. We like to ensure that we can help you before taking you on as a client.
PS. Seven step by step tips that you can start right away to recover quicker after hand, wrist or shoulder surgery. Click for the After Surgery Guide.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
