Wrist Pain
Wrist pain with bruising and swelling is often a sign of an injury. The signs of a possible broken bone include misshapen joints and the inability to move the wrist, hand, or a finger. In addition to broken wrists, common injuries include sprains, strains, tendinitis, and bursitis.
What are the causes of wrist pain?
Aside from accidental injuries, the main causes of wrist pain are arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, gout, and pseudo-gout.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when an important nerve - the median nerve - is compressed at the wrist because of swelling.
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.
Gout occurs when the body produces too much uric acid, which is a waste product. It forms crystals in joints, rather than being excreted in the urine. Pseudo-gout occurs when there are calcium deposits in the joints - usually the wrists or knees - causing pain, redness, and swelling.
What are the symptoms of wrist problems?
Aside from the obvious pain, discomfort, discoloration, and possible deformity – some conditions have characteristics that are more specific.
Symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome include 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.
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.
Diagnosing Wrist Pain
A thorough diagnosis involves obtaining a detailed history of your condition and performing an examination of your wrist, hand, and the surrounding area. To ensure the most accurate diagnosis, we also offer such options as open MRIs, and CT scans. Other tests may include X-rays, a bone density test, blood tests, an EMG, and a discography. If your doctor suspects that you have an infection, gout, or pseudo-gout, your doctor may draw fluid from the joint to examine under a microscope.
Treating Wrist Pain
Often people get relief on their own - taking over-the-counter pain relievers and resting can help. But seek professional help if:
- You are unable to move your wrist, hand, or fingers
- You have severe pain
- Your wrist, hand, or fingers look deformed
- You are bleeding
- You have a fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- You have a rash; redness or swelling
- You have numbness, tingling, or weakness
- The pain doesn’t subside after three days
- You have any discomfort after two weeks
Treatment options include casts and braces; medication; rehabilitation programs; instruction; exercise physiology; and functional capacity monitoring. In addition, we embrace non-traditional treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic care. Our goal is to return you to good health without pain.
When conservative measures fail to control pain and improve wrist function, we will discuss surgery. In most cases, surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using minimally invasive procedures, which reduces pain, risk, recovery time, and expense.