Wrist Pain - Symptoms, causes and treat

Wrist pain is pain in the wrist that can caused by certain injuries or illnesses. Wrist pain or pain can also occur as a result of tpressure from repetitive motion.

Since wrist pain can be caused by many factors, it requires a careful examination by a doctor to determine the exact cause of wrist pain. From this examination, the doctor can also determine the right type of treatment to treat wrist pain.

Wrist Pain Symptoms

Wrist pain can be in the form of a pulling pain or a sharp stabbing pain. This pain can be temporary or prolonged. The severity of the pain felt by each person is also different, it can be mild and only felt when the wrist is bent, or the pain is so severe that you can't hold anything.

Depending on the cause, wrist pain can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

  • Soreness, tingling, or numbness in the wrist.
  • Fingers swell.
  • Stiffness in the wrist or base of the fingers.
  • The wrist looks red, swollen, or bruised.
  • A lump appears on the wrist.
  • The wrist was warm.
  • Fever.

When to go to the doctor

Not all people with wrist pain need to go to the doctor. You don't need to see a doctor if wrist pain improves within 2 weeks and doesn't recur. However, you are still advised to see a doctor if:

  • Pain in the wrist that interferes with daily activities.
  • The pain gets worse.
  • Tingling or numbness in the hand or wrist that doesn't go away.
  • Feeling dazed or dizzy from wrist pain.
  • Hands turn pale or bluish in color.

Some of the causes of wrist pain are: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both of these joint diseases will cause prolonged symptoms. If you suffer from the disease, regularly consult a doctor for evaluation of treatment and progression of the disease.

Causes of Wrist Pain

There are various factors that can cause wrist pain, including:

  • Injury

    Injury to the wrist can cause pain and interfere with daily activities. These injuries can be caused by:

  • Sudden crash

    Wrist can be sprained, cracked, or broken when someone puts their hand to support when they fall.

  • Repeated pressure

    Activities that require repetitive wrist movements can cause wrist pain. These activities include playing tennis, driving, or playing the violin.

Disease

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

    Arthritis This is due to a disorder of the immune system. Arthritis can occur in one or both wrists.

  • Osteoarthritis

    This condition occurs when cartilage thins. People who have had wrist injuries are more at risk of developing this disease.

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Carpal tunnel syndrome It occurs when pressure on the wrist nerve increases. The pain will get worse when the wrist is bent.

  • Tendonitis

    This condition causes the tissue that holds bones and muscles (tendons) together to swell and become painful from the injury.

  • Ganglion cyst

    Ganglion cysts usually occur on the upper side of the wrist. The pain will increase or decrease when the patient is active.

  • Kienbock's disease

    Kienbock's disease causes ongoing destruction of the small bones in the wrist.

Wrist Pain Risk Factors

Wrist pain can happen to anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of wrist pain, namely:

  • Frequent exercise that causes repetitive stress on the wrist, for example bowling, golf, gymnastics and football.
  • Often performs activities that require repetitive hand movements, such as cutting hair and weaving.
  • Have a history of diabetes, obesity, goiter, or are pregnant.

Wrist Pain Diagnosis

At the initial stage of the examination, the doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced, medical history, and whether the patient has had an accident or injury before. Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the patient's wrist.

The doctor will check if the patient's wrist looks swollen, has an abnormal shape, or is painful to the touch. Then, the patient will be asked to move his wrist to see if there is a decrease in the ability to move the hand.

After that, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo supporting tests with the following methods:

Scan

Scanning can be done by X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. The scan aims to get a detailed picture of the condition of the bones and surrounding tissue, so that doctors can determine the patient's condition.

arthroscopy

If the scan results are not sufficient, the doctor can perform an arthroscopic procedure. In this procedure, a special instrument called an arthroscope is inserted into the patient's wrist to see the condition. This tool is in the form of a small tube with a camera, which is inserted through an incision in the skin.

Nerve test

Electromyography may be performed if wrist pain is suspected to be caused by: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This test is used to check the electrical signals produced by the muscles.

Wrist Pain Treatment

Not all sore wrists require special treatment. Wrist pain treatment can include self-medication, medication, and surgery depending on the cause and severity of symptoms.

The following are treatments for wrist pain that can be done:

1. Self-medication

Minor wrist injuries simply compress with ice, then bandage with an elastic bandage. If there are complaints that need to be watched out for as previously mentioned, wrist pain sufferers need to see a doctor.

2. Drugs

Doctors can give pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, to reduce wrist pain.

3. Use of support tools

The doctor may place a splint or cast if there is a fracture or fracture of the wrist. The use of a splint or cast aims to support the broken bone so that it does not move.

4. Physioterapi

Physiotherapy is done to strengthen the muscles around the wrist and change habits that cause wrist pain.

5. Operation

Surgery may be performed if wrist pain is caused by fractured bones, carpal tunnel syndrome, and when tendons or ligaments are torn.

Complications of Wrist Pain

There are several complications that can occur due to wrist pain depending on the cause. Complications that can arise include:

  • Weakened hand muscles.
  • Damage to nerves and blood vessels in the hands.
  • Osteoporosis.

Wrist Pain Prevention

Prevention of wrist pain according to the cause. Various causes of wrist pain can be prevented by fulfilling calcium intake, so that the bones are stronger. Adults need 1000-1200 mg of calcium per day, while children need about 1300 mg of calcium per day.

Calcium intake is obtained from consumption of grains, beans, tofu, tempeh, milk, cheese, yogurt, anchovies, and spinach and kale.

Some other things you can do to prevent wrist pain include:

  • Berhbe careful in your activities

    Some actions that can be taken are to prefer flat shoes over high heels and turn on the light when entering the house.

  • Using protector while exercising

    Wear wrist protection when performing activities that pose a risk of injury. For example, when playing soccer or cycling.

  • Menghavoid position twishful thinking which wrong

    For example, when you're typing, make sure your wrists are relaxed and use a wrist pad. In addition, when you are typing, your hands also need to be rested periodically.