Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Wrist Pain

While it can take years of typing at a computer or playing numerous games of tennis to lead to wrist pain, it can become painful suddenly and feel like there’s no end in sight. On the other hand, chronic pain can be more subtle and pervasive. Pain in the hand can encompass issues from numbness all the way to itching and redness. Here is what your wrist pain could mean, and why you shouldn’t ignore it.  

What is Wrist Pain?

If you’ve ever taken a fall or worked out a little too hard, then you’ve more than likely experienced a little aching in your joints, however, wrist pain is a little different. The pain you feel due to chronic wrist issues is often more subtle and pervasive than that kind of fatigue. Wrist pain can bring along another of related issues such as numbness, tingling, tremors, and skin ailments like itching and redness. 

Wrist Pain Symptoms

When your wrist pain first develops, it can manifest in a number of different ways. Once you’re able to separate the sensations, you can figure out 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 or fingers. 

Causes of Wrist Pain 

When any part of your wrist is damaged it can affect your ability to use the wrist and cause pain throughout your entire hand. Mayo Clinic lists the common causes of wrist pain include:

Injuries

Sudden injuries, like a fall, can result in sprains, strains, and even fractures of the wrist. Other injuries, like those caused by repetitive stress, can cause inflammation and stress fractures, especially when you’re performing the repetitive movement for hours on end with no break. Repetitive stress can occur doing all sorts of things, from playing tennis to driving your car for long commutes. 

Arthritis 

Arthritis is also a common cause of hand pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones deteriorates over time. This type of arthritis rarely occurs in the wrist unless you had a wrist injury in the same hand in the past. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and commonly involves the wrist. If one wrist is affected, the other usually is, too. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

Wrist pain can be the result of carpal tunnel syndrome. This develops when there’s an increased pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a passageway in the palm of your wrist. Further, sometimes the thickening from the lining of the irritated tendons or other swelling can narrow the tunnel and compress the median nerve. This can result in numbness, weakness, and sometimes pain in the hand and wrist. 

Risk Factors 

Certain people are more at risk for developing pain in the hand than others. Everyday factors that can put you at risk for wrist pain include:

• Participation in organized or recreational sports. 
• Chronic illnesses like lupus, leukemia, and diabetes.
• Repetitive tasks for work or hobbies like sewing or typing. 

Treatment Options 

It can be tempting to ignore your pain when it’s minor, however, seeking treatment early on is best if you want to make sure the problem doesn’t get worse. No matter the cause of your pain, Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center has non-invasive options to relieve your symptoms. Some of our treatments that could bring you relief include:

• Customized stretches to help relieve tension in the muscles and tendons in the hands.
• Gentle massage therapy to eliminate the pain. 
• Splints and braces to stabilize and place pressure on the joint.
• Trigger point therapy.
• Lifestyle changes to help you eliminate repetitive strain.
• Joint injections to reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Chiropractic adjustments.

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center

If you are experiencing wrist pain, numbness, tingling, or other uncomfortable symptoms, make an appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center today. We have many testing options available for patients around Austin, Texas. After we pinpoint the cause of your pain, we will design a custom treatment plan to help you stop the pain behind your wrists. We will help you understand where your symptoms are coming from and what it will take for you to improve. Call us today – (512)-806-0015.