Does Wrist Pain Mean I Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 

Especially if you’re someone who spends a lot of time each day typing at a computer, you might associate any wrist pain with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, while carpal tunnel syndrome is common, wrist pain can also be due to other causes that involve repetitive movements or diseases that attack the body. 

What is Wrist Pain?

The pain caused by chronic issues is often more subtle and pervasive than pain caused by an injury. The umbrella term of wrist pain can include other related issues, like numbness, tingling, tremors, and skin ailments like itching and redness. When the pain first develops, it can present itself in a few different ways. By separating the sensations, we can help determine the exact cause. Common wrist pain symptoms include: 

• Weakness and trouble closing the hand or holding items with just the wrist
• Swelling of the muscles and tendons 
• Decreased strength of the thumb and forefinger
• Numbness and loss of sensation in the hand and wrist
• Heat and tenderness on the surface of the joint
• Throbbing feelings in the wrist and fingers 

Causes of Wrist Pain

Most of the time, wrist pain is due to repetitive movements. These repetitive movements could be small, such as writing with a pen or typing on a keyboard. However, wrist pain can be the result of other causes too. Other common causes can include:

• Diabetes, which may cause damage to the nerves in the wrist and hand.
• Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis
• Sports injuries or accidents that sprain the joint
• Ganglion cysts that press on the nerves
• Degenerative disorders 
• Gout and pseudogout due to calcium deposits
• Bursitis and tendonitis
• Hormonal changes of pregnancy and menopause 

When Does Wrist Pain Mean Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a disorder that affects the carpal tunnel in the wrist, which is an opening in the wrist that allows the median nerve to pass through and up the arm. When this tunnel shrinks, due to tendon swelling in the area, it is easy to feel the symptoms of nerve compression. The good news is that carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t have to be permanent. If treated early and conservatively, you could potentially heal the syndrome and get back to living pain-free. Signs of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

• Burning and tingling in the hands and fingers
• Numbness that starts in the thumb or index finger
• Sensations of swelling, yet swelling isn’t visible to the eye
• Pins and needles 
• Sharp pains that radiate up the arm
• Stiff fingers upon waking 

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Causes of carpal tunnel syndrome can be similar to the causes of general wrist pain that we detailed earlier. We often find that this syndrome is the result of: 

• Injury to the wrist due to a slip and fall
• Sports like tennis or golf that rely on wrist movement 
• Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Fluid build up in the joints due to diabetes or pregnancy
• Wear and tear from aging 

What Happens if You Don’t Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? 

If you feel pain and allow it to worsen, you could risk having your carpal tunnel lead to serious problems. The progression of this syndrome could result in job loss. LinkedIn explains that this syndrome is the most commonly diagnosed nerve compression disorder amongst the working population in the United States. Only around 23% of patients are able to return to their profession if they need carpal tunnel syndrome, and up to 50% of patients do not experience immediate recovery post-surgery — which is why early, conservative treatment is key. 

Wrist Pain Treatments 

To experience successful treatment, it’s best to come in once you notice wrist pain that hasn’t gone away for a few days. If you see Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center as soon as you notice symptoms, you have the best chance of finding relief without needing medicine or surgery. For carpal tunnel issues, we offer treatments like:

• Wrist-strengthening exercises and stretches to build wrist strength and lower swelling
• Nerve testing to rule out other potential wrist injuries or problems 
• Pain management options that won’t require you to take narcotic medications 
• Cortisone shots directly into the wrist to calm the irritated nerve 

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center 

Wrist pain doesn’t have to be the end of your job or favorite activities like golf or tennis. At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, we can help find a treatment plan best for your condition and get you back to enjoying your everyday life as soon as possible. To make an appointment with us right here in Austin, call us today: (512)-806-0015.