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Wrist pain is any pain or discomfort in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. You may feel aching, burning, numbness, or tingling in your palm, wrist, thumb, or fingers. The thumb muscle can become weak, making it difficult to grasp things. Pain may extend up to your elbow.Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when an important nerve (called the median nerve) gets compressed at the wrist because of swelling. Such swelling can occur if you:
Do a repetitive
motion with your wrist like typing on a computer keyboard, using a computer
mouse, playing racquetball or handball, sewing, painting, writing, or using
a vibrating tool or
Are pregnant, menopausal, or overweight or
Have diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, an underactive thyroid, or rheumatoid
arthritis or
Wrist pain with bruising and swelling is often a sign of an injury. The signs
of a possible broken bone include misshapen joints and inability to move the
wrist, hand, or a finger. Other common injuries include sprain, strain, tendinitis,
and bursitis.
Arthritis is another common cause of wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are many types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs with age and overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects both wrists. Psoriatic arthritis accompanies psoriasis.
Infectious arthritis is a medical emergency. The signs of an infection include redness and warmth of the wrist, fever above 100°F, and recent illness.
Other common causes of wrist pain include:
Gout --
this occurs when you produce too much uric acid, a waste product. It forms crystals
in joints, rather than being excreted in the urine.
Pseudogout -- this is when calcium deposits in your joints (usually the wrists
or knees), causing pain, redness, and swelling.
For carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need to make adjustments to your work habits and environment:
Make sure
that your keyboard is low enough that your wrists aren't bending upwards while
you type and
Take plenty of breaks from activities that aggravate the pain. When typing,
stop often to rest the hands, if only for a moment. Rest your hands on their
sides, not the wrists and
An occupational therapist can show you ways to ease pain and swelling and stop
the syndrome from coming back and
Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can relieve pain
and swelling and
Various mousepads, typing pads, split keyboards, and wrist splints (braces)
are designed to relieve wrist pain. Some people find these devices help their
symptoms. You may wish to try a few different kinds to see if any help and
You may only need to wear a wrist splint at night while you sleep. This helps
reduce the swelling. If that alone is not working, wear the splints during the
day and apply hot or cold compresses periodically.
For a recent injury:
Rest your
wrist. Keep it elevated and
Apply ice to the tender and swollen area and
Take over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and
Wear a splint for several days. Wrist splints can be purchased at many drugstores
and medical supply stores.
For non-infectious arthritis:
Do flexibility
and strengthening exercises every day. Work with a physical therapist to learn
the best and safest exercises for your wrist and
Try the exercises after a hot bath or shower so that your wrist is warmed up
and less stiff and
DO NOT perform exercises when your wrist is actively inflamed and
Make sure that you also rest the joint adequately. Both rest and exercise are
important when you have arthritis and
Call your health care provider
Get emergency care if:
You are
unable to move your wrist, hand or a finger or
Your wrist, hand, or fingers are misshapen or
You are bleeding significantly or
Call your doctor right away if:
You have
a fever over 100°F or
You have a rash or
You have swelling and redness of your wrist and you have had a recent illness
(like a virus or other infection) or
Call your doctor for an appointment if:
You have
swelling, redness or stiffness in one or both wrists or
You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in the wrist, hand, or fingers with
pain or
You have lost any muscle mass in the wrist, hand, or fingers or
You have been following self-care treatments for two weeks but still have pain
or
What to expect at your health care provider's office :-
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include an examination of the wrists and hands, and ask questions such as the following:
When did
the wrist pain begin?
Did it occur suddenly and severely or gradually and mildly?
Is the pain constant, or does it come and go?
Is the pain worse in the morning or at night?
Does it go away without self care?
Is the pain sharp, throbbing, or burning? Is there numbness or tingling in any
of your fingers?
Where exactly is the pain? Is it in both wrists? Does it extend into the fingers?
Does the pain occur only with certain movements or positions?
Does the pain prevent normal use of the wrist, hand, or arm?
Is the pain worse with movement?
What helps it? Is it better with immobilization to prevent movement? Does splinting
the wrist or applying heat help?
Do any medications help?
Is there joint pain elsewhere?
Is there pain elsewhere, such as the neck?
What medications are you taking?
Have you had any recent injuries or illnesses?
Are you involved in activities requiring repetitious hand and wrist movements,
such as sewing, knitting, computer keyboard use?
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include an x-ray. If your doctor suspects
that you have an infection, gout, or pseudogout, he or she may draw fluid from
from the joint to examine under a microscope.
Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Injection with a steroid medication may be performed. Surgery or medications may be needed to treat some conditions.
Prevention
To prevent carpal tunnel syndrome:
Adjust
your keyboard so that you do not have to bend your wrist upward while typing
and
Take frequent breaks from activities that require wrist movement and
Work with an occupational therapist and
To prevent gout attacks:
Limit alcohol
and
Lose weight if you are overweight and
Drink plenty of water and
Reduce the amount of liver, anchovies, sardines, and herring that you eat and
Medications may be prescribed by your doctor.
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