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:
- InjuryInjury to the wrist can cause pain and interfere with daily activities. These injuries can be caused by:
- Sudden crashWrist can be sprained, cracked, or broken when someone puts their hand to support when they fall.
- Repeated pressureActivities that require repetitive wrist movements can cause wrist pain. These activities include playing tennis, driving, or playing the violin.
Disease Wrist Pain Risk Factors Wrist pain can happen to anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of wrist pain, namely: 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: 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: