Wrist Pain
About Wrist Pain
Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. But wrist pain can also result from long term problems, such as repetitive stress and arthritis. The wrist is a complex joint made up of eight small bones arranged in two rows between the bones in your forearm and the bones in your hand. There is minimal motion between all of these small bones that together allow for the extensive motion of the wrist. Arthritic or degenerative change at any of these small joints but especially at the base of the thumb can result in pain. These bones are attached by numerous ligaments and all the tendons of the fingers pass through the wrist. Repetitive strain type injuries from keyboarding, knitting, modeling in clay or any repetitive motion of the wrist or fingers can result in pain coming from these soft tissues. Wrist pain can affect your ability to use your wrist and hand, severely limiting your ability to carry on daily activities as well as athletic and sports participation.
Symptoms of Wrist Pain
Symptoms of wrist pain can vary quite a bit depending on the actual location and cause of the wrist problem. “Wear and tear” osteoarthritis of the wrist can cause a dull, aching pain that may become sharp with activity. It is not uncommon for your wrist pain to be accompanied by swelling of your fingers. Wrist pain can result in difficulty making a fist or gripping objects or with fine finger movements. It may cause pain with weight bearing on the wrist and prevent the use of a cane or the ability to lift weights or do planks or push-ups.
Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrist Pain
Non- surgical treatment for wrist pain might include rest, icing, altering your work activities through ergonomic workplace changes and restricting recreational activities if possible so as to eliminate those that create repetitive stress on the wrist joint. Physical/occupational therapy might be helpful for certain tendon problems. Splinting is reserved for acute inflammation and traumatic injuries. Oral medications such as Tylenol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and topical pain creams can be helpful. Wrist injections can help to control painful inflammation within the joint and temporarily restore somewhat normal function. Unfortunately, in the long run, steroids contribute to degenerative processes within the joint that result in the progression of osteoarthritis.
To learn more and get help for wrist pain please Schedule an Appointment with Regenerative Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialist Daniel Southern, M.D. in Danbury or Wilton in Fairfield County Connecticut by calling 203-456-5717.
Surgical Treatment for Wrist Pain
Surgery may be necessary in the event that you have had a significant injury to the wrist such as a fracture or if the degeneration is advanced to the point where there is ‘bone-on-bone’ contact within the joint. Wrist arthrodesis surgery in which some or all of the bones of the wrist are fused together is reserved for widespread, advanced joint disease. Joint replacement may be considered for small joints in the wrist with similar disease.
To learn more and get help for wrist pain please Schedule an Appointment with Regenerative Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialist Daniel Southern, M.D. in Danbury or Wilton in Fairfield County Connecticut by calling 203-456-5717.
Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine Treatment for Wrist Pain
Regenexx® Procedures provide non-surgical treatment options for those suffering from pain related to osteoarthritis, joint injuries, spine pain, overuse conditions, and common sports injuries. These medical procedures are only performed by highly-skilled doctors and are used to help reduce pain and improve function. Regenexx procedures have helped thousands of patients improve their quality of life, return to the activities they enjoy, and avoid the need for surgery or joint replacement*.
Regenexx Physicians represent a very selective, highly-skilled, interventional orthobiologics network that is 100% focused on orthopedic conditions. All Regenexx physicians are musculoskeletal experts with extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, as well as complex, image-guided injections of your body's own healing agents to treat orthopedic issues. Regenexx patient outcomes are tracked in a registry and with that information, we provide transparent outcome data (below) for those who may be considering this treatment option.
Want to find out if you are a Regenexx Candidate? Complete the Candidate Form.
