Wrist pain is a common condition that can be caused by many different things. It can be a symptom of an injury, or it may occur for no apparent reason at all.
Wrist pain is often associated with arthritis and other joint problems, but it can also be caused by overuse injuries such as tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) or carpal tunnel syndrome (pressure on the median nerve).
The key to treating this pain is to first understand what’s causing it. Here are a few common issues that can lead to this form of pain.
Repetitive Motion Injury
- Repetitive motion injuries are caused by repetitive movements of the wrist.
- The most common causes of this type of injury include:
- Wrist bending and straightening (bending your wrist back, then forward)
- Gripping objects tightly or holding a heavy object for long periods of time
- Using machinery that requires constant use of your hands, such as sewing machines or computers
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain and numbness in the hands and wrists. It occurs when there’s pressure on the median nerve, which runs through a narrow passageway at the base of your hand. The passageway is called the carpal tunnel.
The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive use of your hands or arms, such as typing at work or playing sports. Other factors include:
- Age–Carpal tunnel syndrome tends to occur more often in people over 40.
- Sex–Women are more likely than men to have it because they have smaller bones in their wrists and forearms (this makes it easier for them to get compressed).
- Family history–If you have diabetes or thyroid disease, you’re also at higher risk for developing this condition because these conditions can make your blood vessels swell up inside their surrounding tissues (called edema).
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint conditions, and it can lead to wrist pain when making bending motions. This type of arthritis is typically related to age, and it’s a result of the natural wearing of cartilage in the joints.
When this condition affects the wrist, it can cause the small bones in the joint to rub together. This rubbing leads to irritation that results in inflammation, swelling and pain.
Ganglion cysts
A ganglion cyst is a lump that develops near the joints or tendons in the hand. It can often limit movement in your joints and cause your wrist to hurt when you move it.
Ganglion cysts can become inflamed when irritated, so you must take care to immobilize them so you don’t make the problem worse. A combination of rest and ice can often (though not always) help to get rid of this type of cyst.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that occurs when your immune system attacks the healthy tissue in your joints, causing inflammation in that part of your body. The inflammation can lead to painful swelling that makes your wrists hurt when you bend them.
It’s unknown what causes this condition, but it is manageable through physical therapy and other treatment strategies.
Other Causes of Wrist Pain
There are many causes of wrist pain when bending the wrist. Sprains and strains can occur when you overuse your wrist, such as in sports or work activities that involve repetitive movements of the hand and fingers.
Find help for wrist pain when bending the wrist at Health Plus Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center in Edison, NJ
At Health Plus PT, our team is committed to helping people reduce their pain as quickly as possible. Your pain-reduction process will typically begin with a free screening. This gives us the chance to figure out what’s causing your pain; then we’ll use this information to create a personalized one-on-one treatment plan for you. Your plan will be designed to provide you with several benefits:
- Reduced pain.
- Improved joint mobility.
- Increased ability to do normal daily tasks.
Take the next step to get our help with your wrist pain. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
For more information, Call Us 732- 494-5999 Today.
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