Wrist Pain

Overview

There are two types of problems that cause wrist pain: short term and long term. You might have an injury, sprain, or fracture that is causing your pain, or you might have chronic condition like carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a nerve problem that causes numbness and weakness.

In some situations, a minor or short term wrist injury can actually cause long term damage. If you experience wrist pain, make sure that you take adequate steps to find remedies for your problem. If your pain does not subside on its own, you should see a medical professional or orthopedic doctor to assess what is causing your pain.

The human wrist is formed from eight small bones that are called carpal bones. In any case, the wrist is one of the most complex body parts and includes a series of blood vessels, muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Wrist pain could result from any one or a combination of these anatomical components.

Your pain will vary. Arthritis might cause dull pain, and a tendon or nerve problem might cause sharp pain. The location of your pain and whether your pain is travelling or stationary will help a doctor diagnose a problem.

Make sure that you pay close attention to your symptoms. Document when, where, in what circumstances, and how long you experience a certain type of pain. For example, you might experience sudden sharp pain that is followed by radiating dull pain for a week or so. Keep track of whether your pain changes over time so that your doctor can identify your condition.

You do not need to see a doctor immediately. You can wait a few days treat your pain with ice and over-the-counter medications. If you experience extreme pain, you should see a doctor immediately. If pain and swelling do not subside after a day or two, you should go to a doctor for further testing that may include an X-ray or MRI.

If you ignore your wrist problems you can develop long-term, serious conditions that might limit your range of motion and continue to cause consistent pain. You do not want to postpone your diagnosis and treatment since your bones, tendons, or ligaments might heal abnormally. This could interfere with your life, especially if you spend time playing sports or typing at a computer for work or school. By all means, do not ignore your symptoms.

A doctor might perform an X-ray, CT scan, bone scan, or MRI to check for breaks, ligament damage, and fractures. An EMG is a nerve test that can help diagnose conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment

Treatment will vary based on your diagnosis. Extreme cases of carpal tunnel syndrome require surgery while tendon and ligament problems might require physical therapy. A combination of ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain might provide sufficient treatment for your condition. A sprain, break, or ligament injury will require a brace to support your wrist. A cast provides added support for more serious breaks. A wrist brace will prevent you from overextending your range of motion while you are healing. Some doctors will prescribe a combination of physical therapy, medication, icing along with a brace. Your treatment will vary based on your symptoms, nature of your injury, condition, and severity.

Arthritis and carpal tunnel might require long term medications, physical therapy, and surgery. These conditions will cause further degeneration over time.