Wrist

Historically, most of our wrist patients were seen after a fall onto their outstretched hand resulting in a Colles fracture or wrist strain. Thanks to smartphones, poor posture and computers, pain on the side of the wrist has increased dramatically. Wrist pain can also develop during pregnancy or on the arrival of a newborn. The changes in hormones, and the awkward position of your wrist carrying and breast-feeding your newborn frequently irritates the wrist joint.

Sharp or aching pain on the thumb side of wrist is popular with our pregnant patients, but our smartphone users and chefs frequently suffer from irritation of the thumb tendons as they cross the wrist joint as well. The swelling in the tendons and their sheaths need rest and anti-inflammatory modalities. A comprehensive evaluation of how the hand and arm function as well as the nerves to the wrist and hand must be carried out. For chronic conditions or pain on both sides, IMS and a thorough evaluation of the neck and upper back will be required.

The most common conditions that cause wrist pain include:

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome: This is a condition characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and wrist, caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist.
2. Wrist Tendinitis: This is inflammation of the tendons that attach muscles to bones in the wrist, causing pain and limited range of motion.
3. Wrist sprain: This is a common injury that occurs when the ligaments in the wrist are stretched or torn, causing pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
4. Arthritis: This is a degenerative joint condition that can affect any joint in the body, including the wrist, and can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
5. Ganglion cysts: These are fluid-filled lumps that develop on the wrist or hand, and can cause pain and limited range of motion.
6. Repetitive strain injury: This is a condition caused by overuse of the wrist and hand, resulting in pain, numbness, and limited range of motion.
7. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: This is a condition characterized by pain and inflammation in the tendons that attach to the base of the thumb, causing pain and limited range of motion.

If you are experiencing wrist pain, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the underlying cause of the pain, treatment may include rest, physical therapy, medication, or in some cases, surgery

Conditions

• Colles Fracture
• TFCC
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• De Quervain’s
• CMC Thumb Arthritis
• Skier’s Thumb
• Trigger Finger
• Dupuytren’s Contracture
• Nerve Palsy – Pins and Needles
• Mallet Finger
• Raynaud’s Phenomenon