Wrist/Forearm pain is generally caused be some kind of damage to:
- The bones
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Other soft tissues of the forearm and wrist.
This is caused by repetitive movements/overuse, falls landing on an outstretched arm or sports related injuries.
Wrist pain can also be accompanied by stiffness, swelling or redness around the wrist, difficulty making a fist or gripping/grasping objects, numbness or tingling in the hands and clicking sound with wrist movements.
Types of conditions
Tendonitis: A basic term that involves inflammation of the surrounding tissues caused by any activity involving repetitive wrist movements. For example smartphone overuse can cause wrist pain because the tendons that connect to the thumb can become inflamed at the wrist. Your elbow can also be affected if it is constantly bent while holding the phone.
- Repetitive stress involving wrist motions when done for hours without rest can cause pain and inflammation at the base of the thumb -> condition known as De Quervains.
Fractures: Wrist injuries often occur when you fall onto your outstretched arm/hand. This can cause fractures of the long bones or your arm and the small bones of the wrist/hand.
Carpal Tunnel: Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when there is increased pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the passageway on the palm side of the wrist. Individual who spend a large part of there day on a computer can suffer from pain or numbness and tingling into wrist and hands.
Osteoarthritis: Arthritis occurs when the cartilage at the ends of bones wears down over use and. Arthritis in the wrist is common in individuals who complete repetitive movements or have had a previous injury.
When to seek HELP!
- Pain is interfering with everyday activities.
- Numbness or tingling is becoming worse, and there is little or no feeling in the fingers or hand.
- Simple hand movements are no longer possible.
- Weakness makes holding things difficult or gripping and lifting things difficult.
How Can Physical Therapy Help??
Physical therapy can address the strength of the muscles of the wrist/forearm and hand to improve ones ability to complete gripping and lifting tasks that are essential to everyday life. If you have persistent pain that hasn’t resolved in a few days give us a call and let one of our clinicians evaluate your condition so we can develop an exercise program and educate you on how to get back to a symptom free life!
