What Does Wrist Pain Mean?

Date: Aug-03-2016 Wrist pain is a very common condition with various causes. The wrist joint plays a role in basic movements from texting to writing.

When pain occurs, it can interfere with day-to-day activities and, in certain instances, impact a person's quality of life.

Contents of this article:

What is wrist pain? Anatomy and different types

Causes and risk factors

Symptoms of wrist pain

Tests and diagnosis

Treatment and prevention

What is wrist pain? Anatomy and different types

To understand more about wrist pain, it's helpful to learn a little bit about the wrist itself. The wrist is actually not one joint. Instead, it's made up of several small joints where the bones of the hand and forearm meet.

Wrist pain can be caused by several different things, including injury, repetitive stress, and inflammation.

Eight small carpal bones make up the wrist. Ligaments connect the bones to each other. A tube-like structure, known as the carpal tunnel, is located on the palm side of the wrist. Nerves and tendons pass from the forearm to the hand through the carpal tunnel.

If any part of the wrist, including the bones, ligaments, or tendons, become injured, it can lead to wrist pain. Squashing the nerves that pass through the wrist can also cause pain.

Wrist pain can develop due to a sudden impact or injury. For example, a wrist sprain can cause pain if a ligament is overstretched. This type of wrist pain usually comes on suddenly when the injury occurs.

Wrist pain can also occur over a long period. Wrist pain that is ongoing is often due to certain conditions, such repetitive stress injuries and inflammation of the joints.

Causes of wrist pain and risk factors

Although wrist pain can occur for a variety of reasons, the most common causes include the following:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpel tunnel syndrome is a condition that develops when the transverse carpal ligament thickens and puts pressure on a nerve. The nerve is squeezed, which can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand.

People who are obese or those that have diabetes or arthritis are at an increased risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. The condition is also linked with repetitive work that involves lifting, typing, or using equipment that vibrates the hand.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes inflammation of the joints and occurs when the cartilage that covers the bones wears away. The condition can affect a wide range of joints, including the wrist.

Osteoarthritis of the wrist tends to occur most often in people who are middle age or older, and those with a family history of the condition.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex injury

The triangular fibrocartilage is located on the pinky side of the wrist. It acts as a cushion and support for the small bones. The cartilage can wear away over time or tear due to an injury.

Wrist tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis can occur when the tendons of the wrist develop small tears or become irritated and inflamed. The condition usually occurs due to repetitive movement involving the wrist.

Ganglion cyst

This cause of wrist pain is due to fluid-filled soft tissue cysts that can develop on the wrist opposite the palm. Smaller cysts often tend to hurt more than large cysts.

Wrist sprain

According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, a wrist sprain is usually caused by falling and bending the wrist backward when the hand hits the ground. This movement makes the ligament overstretched.

Symptoms of wrist pain

Symptoms of wrist pain can vary depending on the cause. Some people may have pain that they describe as achy or dull. Others may have pain that is sharp.

The location of the pain may also vary. For instance, pain from carpal tunnel syndrome often occurs on the palm side of the hand.

In addition to pain, other symptoms may develop. Symptoms of an injury such as a wrist sprain may include swelling and bruising. Numbness, tingling, and weakness of the hand may also occur when pain is due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Depending on its cause, wrist pain can appear alongside swelling, tingling, and stiffness.

Some people may develop the following symptoms:

Stiffness in the wrist

Trouble gripping objects

A clicking sound when moving the wrist

Depending on the cause, symptoms may be mild to start and become worse as time goes on.

At first, pain may only occur during certain activities. In time, as the condition worsens, pain may occur even at rest. Numbness can also progress to the point where a person may not feel cold or heat and may drop things.

It's important to see a doctor if:

Pain is interfering with everyday activities

Numbness or tingling is becoming worse, and there is little or no feeling in the fingers or hand

Simple hand movements are no longer possible

Complications of wrist pain can include weakness and a decreased ability to carry out activities such as gripping objects and using a keyboard.

Tests and diagnosis of wrist pain

After a physical exam and symptom review, a doctor may also rely on medical imaging scans to make an accurate diagnosis. Scans including an X-ray, CT scan, and MRI are sometimes used to work out the cause of wrist pain.

There are also instances where an imaging scan does not tell the entire story, and additional tests may be needed.

An arthroscopy is sometimes performed to evaluate wrist pain. This procedure involves the doctor making a small cut on the wrist. A small instrument that has a tiny camera attached is inserted in through the cut. The pictures from the camera are then projected onto a computer monitor for the doctor to see.

Nerve conduction studies may also be used to determine the cause of wrist pain. These studies measure how fast nerve impulses travel through the carpal tunnel region of the wrist.

Treatment and prevention of wrist pain

Treatment for wrist pain may depend on the cause of the pain and its severity. Carpal tunnel syndrome may be treated differently than wrist pain caused by a ganglion cyst, for example. In most cases, the least invasive treatment is given first before treatments such as surgery are recommended.

Wrist splints can help with wrist pain. They can prevent painful movements and reduce pressure on certain nerves.

Wrist pain is sometimes successfully treated at home. Home treatment often includes resting the wrist as much as possible to allow it time to heal. Pain-relief medication and ice may also be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain.

In some cases, wearing a wrist splint can also help. Splinting may prevent certain wrist movements that cause irritation. A splint may also reduce squeezing of the nerve.

Depending on the type of pain, wrist exercises may also reduce pain. Certain exercises may be prescribed to stretch and lengthen muscles and tendons. When it comes to which exercises to do, patients should get recommendations from a doctor or physical therapist.

In cases where home treatment and exercises do not reduce pain, additional treatment may be needed. Cortisone injections, which decrease inflammation and reduce pain, are one option that may be effective.

Surgery for wrist pain is usually the last resort and only used if less invasive treatments have not worked. The type of surgery performed depends on the cause of the pain. Surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome involves cutting a ligament in the wrist to release pressure on the nerve.

Preventing wrist pain

There are a few things that can be done to reduce a person's chances of developing wrist pain:

Using proper posture when sitting at a workstation and keeping the wrists in a relaxed position

Considering a wrist-friendly keyboard if long hours are spent at the keyboard

Learning how to use hand tools properly so less stress is placed on the hands and wrists

Taking regular breaks from using a keyboard

Using wrist guards to prevent injuries when participating in sports, such as skateboarding, snowboarding, and rollerblading

Written by Mary Ann De Pietro

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.