Wrist in a Twist?
Wrist pain can interfere with so many tasks that you do throughout the day, and you don’t realize how much your wrist gets used until it hurts! Whether acute or chronic, severe or mild, Wrist Pain can affect your productivity and limit your movement or function.
About Hand & Wrist Pain
Hand and wrist pain affects many people, often disrupting daily activities like typing, gripping, or lifting. The wrist, a complex joint of bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves, is prone to injury and strain.
Identifying wrist pain causes is key to addressing symptoms effectively. At Blue Ribbon Stem, we provide resources to help you understand hand and wrist pain and explore your options with a healthcare professional.
Carpal Tunnel
Compression of the median nerve from repetitive tasks like typing, leading to numbness, tingling, and hand weakness.
Tendonitis
Inflammation of wrist tendons, often from gripping or twisting motions, causing pain near the thumb.
Osteoarthritis
Cartilage breakdown in the wrist joint, resulting in wrist joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, common in older adults.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An autoimmune disorder causing chronic wrist inflammation, leading to pain and potential deformity.
Wrist Sprains
Ligament tears or tendon overstretching from falls or sudden twists, causing sharp pain and swelling.
Wrist Fractures
Broken bones from falls, leading to severe wrist injury pain and limited mobility.
Ganglion Cysts
Fluid-filled lumps pressing on nerves, causing wrist discomfort that may recur after treatment.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Pain from repetitive motions, like using a computer mouse, resulting in inflammation without a single injury.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Compression of the ulnar nerve, causing tingling and pain in the ring and little fingers.
Gout
Uric acid buildup causing sudden, intense wrist swelling and pain.
Trigger Finger or Thumb
Tendon inflammation causing locking sensations, with referred pain to the wrist.
Kienböck's Disease
Bone death in the wrist due to poor blood supply, leading to progressive chronic wrist pain and stiffness.
Tendinopathy
Chronic tendon degeneration from overuse, causing persistent aching and weak grip.
Bursitis
Inflamed bursae (fluid-filled sacs) in the wrist, often from repetitive pressure, causing wrist soreness.
Wrist Infections
Bacterial or viral infections causing redness, warmth, and severe wrist pain symptoms.
Nerve Injuries
Trauma leading to sensory changes and wrist nerve pain.
Overuse Injuries
Micro-traumas from activities like construction, music, or office work, contributing to repetitive wrist pain.
Systemic Conditions
Diabetes or thyroid issues causing neuropathy-related hand and wrist discomfort.
Common Wrist Pain Treatments
Managing hand and wrist pain involves various therapies, each with potential benefits and limitations. Below, we outline common wrist pain treatments and their downsides to help you make informed decisions with your healthcare provider at Blue Ribbon Stem.
Rest and Immobilization
Limiting movement with splints or braces to reduce strain. Prolonged rest may weaken muscles, cause stiffness, or delay addressing underlying wrist pain conditions.
Ice and Heat Therapy
Ice reduces swelling; heat improves blood flow. Offers temporary wrist pain relief; ice may damage skin if overused, and heat can worsen acute inflammation.
Over-the-Counter Medications: NSAIDs like Ibuprofen
While meds certainly can reduce inflammation and pain, there is risk of stomach issues, kidney strain with long-term use, or masking wrist pain symptoms without addressing causes.
Corticosteroid Injections
Anti-inflammatory shots for quick relief. Often have short-term effects, with risks of tendon weakening, infection, or skin changes after repeated use.
Physical Therapy
Using targeted exercises to improve wrist strength and increase flexibility, and restore function, empowering you to regain control over daily tasks. Requires consistent effort.
Surgery
Corrects structural issues such as fractures or severe nerve compression. Involves recovery time, anesthesia risks, and potential complications like infection or incomplete wrist pain resolution.
Explore Your Options with Blue Ribbon Stem
If you’re dealing with hand and wrist pain, understanding its causes and treatment options is the first step. At Blue Ribbon Stem, we’re committed to providing educational resources on wrist pain conditions and supporting you in exploring next steps. Contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation with a healthcare professional.
