Wrist pain is commonly caused by sprains and fractures from sudden or traumatic injuries. It can cause long-term problems such as repetitive strain injury (RSI), arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
What are the Main Causes of a Wrist Injury or Pain?
- Activities that require repetitive wrist movements
Any activity that includes repeated wrist motion and actions, such as hitting a tennis ball or constantly typing on a desktop inflame the tissues around joints. When you use your wrist for hours without taking a break, you will experience repetitive strain injury. It can cause carpal tunnel syndrome or De Quervains injury that affects the base of the thumb.
- Accidents that suddenly happen
When you fall forwards onto your hand or when your hand poorly hits from a solid surface, you are more likely to injure your wrist. Sprains, strains, and even fractures can result. A scaphoid fracture can also occur that appears on the thumb side. This type of fracture sometimes may not show up on X-rays right away.
What are the Possible Symptoms in Wrist Injuries?
It depends on the degree of your injury and the indications and symptoms of the damage. The severity of your wrist pain is a sign of how long you’ve had the injury. Some describe their discomfort as achy or mild, while others describe it as excruciating. A shock-like sensation may occur, making fine movements difficult at times.
However, you cannot carry heavy objects while working out at the gym or participating in other sporting activities. Minor wrist injuries, such as a sprain or strain, are usually treated with the RICE approach. If your injury worsens over time, surgery, physiotherapy, and braces may be required for healing.
What Prevention’s can Help Avoid Wrist Pain?
Your wrists bear a lot of stress and pressure, whether you’re swinging a golf club, tennis racquet, carrying groceries, or typing every day. Long-term stress on those tiny bones and joints can lead to wrist issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, or tendonitis, which can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and discomfort. You can take a few prevention’s to avoid wrist injuries and pain:
- Take a break from your task or activity
You should take a 10- to 15-minute gap or break from work. Your wrists must rest after every few hours. This strategy can help your wrist prevent pain whether you already have an injury or have a risk of suffering from one.
- Focus on your wrists position
It’s critical to concentrate on your wrists and hands position while playing, like swinging a racquet or working such as typing. Your shoulders may drift forwards as a result of poor posture. This can cause compresses your neck and shoulder nerves, and worsens wrist problems.
- Wearing a wrist brace/support
A wrist brace or support is a wearable garment designed to support and protect the wrist. It can help your wrists to provide extra support while playing or working. Wearing wrist support or brace can be beneficial to prevent injuries and make the healing process faster.
- See a Physical Therapist
Permanent nerve damage can occur in severe situations, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Even in these situations, it’s critical to seek wrist and hand pain treatment. However, physiotherapy can help relieve pain and prevent the issue from worsening.
Read this Too: 8 Morning Habits That Stop Weight Gain
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Not all wrist pain required medical attention. Ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers are usually effective for minor sprains and strains. However, if you experience extreme pain, deformity, numbness, weakness, or are unable to move your wrist. You should see your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room of a hospital. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can result in poor healing, limited range of motion, and long-term dysfunction.
During the examination, your doctor will run many tests to diagnose the elbow issue. If the tests are positive, your doctor will know that those muscles aren’t in excellent shape, and you’ll require a comprehensive treatment plan that includes rest.
How Can Your Doctor Diagnose a Wrist Injury?
The doctor will gently press on the wrist to discover tenderness when looking around the wrist. He will ask you to turn or extend your wrist to examine the instability of the wrist. Imaging tests, like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, may be recommended by your doctor or specialist. These scans will help determine the severity of the injury and whether surgery is required or not.
Your wrist can sometimes heal on its own only with rest and medication. If over-the-counter medications and other self-care approaches fail, your doctor may suggest physical therapy and a wrist brace for more support and protection. If your symptoms increase despite trying every treatment option, surgery may be required to heal them.
Your doctor may also recommend you to wear wrist supports and braces that you may put on and off for more severe injuries like fractures or arthritis. You may also be given a prescription for pain medication. Make sure your doctor is aware of any other medications you are taking and any sensitivities you may have.
Wrist Brace Types and Their Functions
- Compression Wrist Support Brace
Compression wrist support provides maximum compression to prevent injuries and pain. It is particularly effective at relieving pain and limiting the wrist’s unusual movement. It also helps the body’s healing process by increasing blood circulation around the wrist.
- Neoprene Wrist Support Brace
Neoprene wrist support help provide both compression and warmth. Could be help boost your blood flow to heal the injury faster and relax your wrist muscles. Helps with injury rehab and also relieves thumb pain. It may protect and stabilise your wrists during both indoor and outdoor activities.
- Wrist Braces with Thumb Support
Wearing wrist and thumb support helps maintain wrist flexibility. It provides pressure on the wrist and relieves pain. The area of the thumb support fits the natural shape of the palm to give support. It helps prevent thumb movement and prevents a sprained or fractured thumb.
- Wrist Support with metal Splints
Relief Wrist Support Brace can help provide mild compression and support your joints and tendons. It has one or more than one metal strips stabilisers that can help hold your arm firmly and limit the wrist’s unusual movement, and makes the recovery process fast.
Where Can I Get Wrist Supports and Braces?
360 Relief has a large selection of wrist braces and supports that can help protect your wrists while also reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. They are available in a variety of colours, sizes, and styles to meet your needs. They’re great for preventing recurring injuries and can help you offer additional support during recovery or post-surgery treatment.