The wrist is an important part of the body as it allows us to move our hands freely and lift heavy objects. The wrist is also quite fragile and it’s easy to accidentally cause wrist pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition a large portion of people suffer with around the world and this could be due to a number of things – the first reason is genetics. If people across your family have all suffered with arthritis, then unfortunately there is a chance that you could have the condition when you’re older, however, it’s not 100% guaranteed.
There are many kinds of arthritis people develop in the wrist, and not all are severe. The less severe arthritis is quite manageable, however, if it’s extreme then you will be in some discomfort and pain. There isn’t a cure for this condition, but there are treatments you can have that will help treat it.
If you do suffer from arthritis you will feel a lot of pain in the wrist and this can potentially disrupt your daily routine. By causing disruptions in your routine this will start to affect your emotions every day which is only natural, but it’s important that you receive all the help and support you need.
No one should suffer with arthritis in silence as it can cause more damage than you would know. So, as soon as you see the early signs of arthritis be sure to get in contact with the doctor so they can provide you with the best treatment!
Tendinitis
Tendinitis of the wrist is a major cause of wrist pain as it’s caused by repetitive movements such as texting and writing, which everyone relies upon daily. Tendonitis usually affects either the flexor or extensor tendon but it often occurs when tendons cross each other and it will become irritated, resulting in a discomforting pain in your wrist.
If you believe you’re suffering from wrist pain and you’re not sure what could be causing the pain, it could be tendinitis. These are the most common symptoms you will experience: swelling around the wrist, warmth and redness and pain that’s worse than movement. If you begin to experience one of these symptoms, get in touch with your doctor immediately so you can get the right treatment straight away.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
With any wrist condition, it is always important to take care of your wrist because we all rely on our wrists everyday. Spotting the early signs of wrist pain is essential to receiving the best care possible, especially if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when there is added pressure on the nerves passing through the carpal tunnel. This will lead to constant pins and needle sensations in the hand, and in more severe cases, the numbness will lead to muscle wasting in the hand – making the hand weaker.
If you ever feel like you may have this condition, then do not make it worse by placing more pressure on your wrist. Make sure you speak to your doctor about what you should do next, there will be carpal tunnel treatment options available to you but listen to the advice your doctor gives.
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Physical impacts
Keeping your wrist in the same position isn’t the only cause of wrist pain. Arguably one of the main causes of wrist pain is physical impact as this means a strong force has done damage to your wrist. If you fall over and land awkwardly on your wrist, then you will be in serious discomfort. There could be a chance that you have a sprain or in worse cases – a fracture.
This isn’t the only physical impact that can cause you wrist pain either. If you’re lifting heavy objects this could cause a huge amount of strain on the wrist, and when the wrist has given up to the strain, then an injury is almost guaranteed. We advise it never gets to this situation to begin with!
If you’re carrying numerous heavy objects then be sure that you take breaks constantly and not just for your health – but for your wrists too! The wrist is fragile and if you have weak wrists then you’re most likely to have an injury from heavy lifting. If the heavy impact doesn’t affect the bones, then it can harm the nerves and cause tissue damage. This occurs in the most extreme conditions, however, it’s crucial to be aware of the worst cases so that you will remain cautious.
Scapholunate Ligament & TFCC Tear
The wrist is a complex joint consisting of 8 small bones, connected to each other with many strong ligaments. The scapholunate ligament is an important ligament that holds the scaphoid and lunate bones together. When ruptured it can cause pain and instability in the wrist in short term and degenerative arthritis in 5-10 years. The injury often results from a fall onto the outstretched hand or a forceful/violent twisting injury to the hand. Scapholunate ligament tear treatment typically involves addressing ligament sprains where one or two parts of this three-part ligament are injured, without resulting in wrist instability.
The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a structure on the little finger side of the wrist, that supports the small carpal bones in the area, also keeping the forearm bones stable when using the hand to grasp or rotate the forearm. There are two types of TFCC tear caused by two factors, firstly, type 1 tears are commonly known as traumatic tears, caused by accidents such as falling on an outstretched arm. Type two tears are degenerative conditions that occur with age, as the cartilage is worn down over time. TFCC tear treatment includes both surgical and non-surgical procedures. Non-surgical treatments include anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections or wearing a splint. Surgical procedure for treating a TFCC Tear can see the surgeon fix the tear by cleaning the torn edges and damaged tissue off, allowing it to heal over time. It may however require suturing to fix the tear.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the 5 causes of wrist pain. Let us know what you thought of our blog and if you think you may have one of these conditions, then get in contact with us today!