What Causes Wrist Pain? What Are the Warning Signs?
Finding the root cause of your wrist pain is essential to treating the pain both efficiently and effectively.
A sudden fall, an athletic injury, or just simple overuse can all contribute to causing wrist pain. This pain comes in a wide range of intensities and durations. The actual pain itself can range from an all day dull pain, to an occasional sharp pain during certain activities. The pain can also be more intense during certain times of day or year. If this pain isn’t treated early on, carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis can occur. Doctors typically recommend seeking medical attention if your wrist pain does not improve within several days, despite the use of ice and non prescription pain medication.
How is the wrist pain diagnosed and subsequently treated? Well, there are four diagnostic techniques that are used in the medical community. They are X-ray, CT scan, arthroscopy, and nerve conduction studies . Arthroscopy is the most invasive method, and involves cutting into the actual wrist to examine the joints. Nerve conduction studies detect how fast your actual nerves are firing by attaching electrodes to your wrist.
What are the warning signs to watch out for when it comes to wrist pain?
Stiffness in either the wrist or the fingers is once of the most common symptoms reported. It is also common for patients to here a clicking sound in the wrist joins in conjunction with their pain. Additionally, it may become difficult for individuals to grasp items. There are other, less well known symptoms that could potentially indicate a more serious cause of your wrist pain. For instance, redness or swelling in the wrist could be indicative of either wrist bursitis or De Quervain’s disease. The latter cause of wrist pain involves the overuse or injury of tendons of the thumb.
So, what personal factors put you at an increased risk of developing wrist pain?
Certain physical activities that have a dramatic impact on the wrist joints, are chief culprits in causing wrist pain. These activities, like golf or tennis, lead to overuse and tearing of specific joins in the wrist. Similarly, recurrent tasks like typing or cutting hair can also lead to wrist pain. Diabetes, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis are just a few of the many underlying health conditions that can increase your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
How can you avoid the pain altogether?
While you can’t change your genetics or your the monotony of your job, there are still steps you can take to decrease your odds of developing wrist pain. First, make sure you are getting enough enough calcium. This is especially important for women and all individuals over the age of 50. The FDA recommends getting between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day to maintain proper bone and joint health. When it comes to avoiding athletic injury, be sure to wear protective gloves during any activity that may strain your wrists. Finally, if you engage in repetitive tasks similar to typing, take short 5 to 10 minute breaks every few hours to give your joints a rest.