Conservative Treatments for Wrist Pain

Introduction:

The wrist is the bone joint connecting the forearm to the hand. The wrist forms the smallest part of the human body, though. It is composed of two big forearm bones along with eight tiny bones. The small bones are called the carpals, whereas the two long bones are the ulna and radius, which all together form the wrist segment. It also includes ligaments and tendons. So, it is not a single huge joint but a joint comprising several small joints. This is responsible for the flexibility of the upper extremities, allowing free movements by distinct means.

Wrist pain is a profound concern for all, as one can feel aching, tingling, numbing, burning, and painful sensation in the wrist. This can also be felt at the adjacent sites, including the palm, thumb, and fingers. When the thumb is involved, individuals have a hard time grasping things. In addition, pain may radiate to the elbow in severe degrees. So, wrist pain is a significant concern that often requires medical attention.

What Are the Conditions Resulting in Wrist Pain?

Wrist pain can be of any cause, including injury, arthritis, and certain medical conditions. However, the most common causes of wrist pain involve the following.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered the predominant cause of intense degrees of wrist pain. This condition results from the compression of the median nerve, one of the three primary nerves in the forearm.

• Arthritis: Arthritis is known for the inflammation of the joints. This condition can cause swelling and stiffening of joints in addition to pain. It is of many forms, such as osteoarthritis resulting from overuse and age and rheumatoid arthritis with the inflammation of both wrists.

• Injury: Wrist injury can result in bruising and swelling along with a painful condition. The other signs include fractured bone and difficulty moving the wrist. The causes include strain, bursitis, accidents, sprain, tendinitis, and blow.

• Gout: A gout is a form of arthritis resulting from the buildup or accumulation of uric acid primarily. Uric acid is generally dissolved in the blood and eliminated by means of urine. But, in these cases, uric acid is either highly secreted or not eliminated efficiently. So, the uric acid buildup in the wrist joint causes pain and swelling.

• Cysts: The cysts in the form of benign, harmless lumps can develop in the backward aspect of the wrist. This is called a non-cancerous ganglion cyst. Ganglion cysts are mostly painless, but they can cause wrist pain if the underlying nerve or muscle is compressed with the lump.

• Kienbock’s Disease: It is a rare condition occurring as a result of the breakdown of the lunate bone joint in the wrist. This fracture can be due to insufficient blood supply. This condition can cause pain and swelling of the wrist.

What Are the Symptoms Experienced With Wrist Pain?

Wrist pain is the predominant feature, though. It can accompany by other signs and symptoms depending on the underlying medical condition concerning the wrist. So, the person may encounter one or a combination of the following symptoms based on the exact cause of the wrist.

• Swelling in fingers.

• Tingling feeling or numbness in the arms.

• Abrupt and sharp degrees of pain.

• Difficulty in making a fist.

• Trouble grasping or gripping things.

• Swelling or redness of the wrist.

• Warmth feeling in the wrist joint.

• Pain and other concerns getting aggravated during the night.

• Pain radiating to the elbow.

What Are the Conservative Treatment Options for Wrist Pain?

The intervention for wrist pain involves a range of conservative treatments ad surgical options if any underlying concerns. So, The doctors may prescribe one or a combination of the following common conservative treatment for wrist pain.

Medications: Pain-relieving medications are prescribed, which are available over as over-the-counter. The medicines include Acetaminophen, Naproxen, or Ibuprofen.

Bracing: Braces or splints are advised to alleviate or ease wrist pain. It also reduces swelling. The brace immobilizes the wrist joint, preventing the rubbing of bones which tends to cause pain. The bracing techniques also help drive the load away from the areas of inflammation with reducing pain and discomfort.

Physical Therapy: Physical intervention forms the major contributing factor for pain relief. The physical therapist prescribes a range of tailored and effective strengthening exercises and stretches for the wrist to be practiced daily for the desired pain relief. In addition, the pain and range of motion are addressed and treated.

Steroid Injections: Hydrocortisone is a steroid that is administered through injection for treating painful and swollen wrist joints. It can be recommended in injury and arthritis cases.

Alternate Therapies:

The most common alternative therapies for wrist pain include the following.

• Heat Therapy: Heat therapy possesses numerous benefits, including blood circulation improvement, relaxation of muscle tension, and restoration of muscle flexibility. Moreover, heat can help treat sickness and pain.

• Cold Therapy: Cold therapy is well known for reducing inflammation and swelling. In addition, it improves blood circulation, similar to heat therapy. Applying a cold pack to the affected site of the wrist or arm freezes the nerve for a few seconds, preventing the tingling sensation. As a result, one could apprehend pain relief.

• Massage: The massage technique relaxes and soothes the areas of the wrist involved in pain. Furthermore, it works against irritated muscle regions. So, gradual and soothing massages will help calm the areas of irritation while promoting healing and recovery of the wrist concern.

Conclusion:

The consequence of overuse or injury of the wrist and the arm induces the muscles and joints underlying them to cause pain in the wrist, affecting the wrist movements. But it can be managed without surgical intervention in major instances. When attention is paid earlier, wrist pain is one of the most successful and effectively manageable. This is primarily achieved by optimizing the use of conservative treatments.

Conservative treatment is a minimally invasive technique in typical pain cases, presenting desired outcomes. It is available to every source, making it easy to access and optimize. The access has become obvious in these past years. So, one can easily benefit from conservative means by paying little effort to the affected wrists. There is no need for vast invasion, surgical procedures, and high-intensity activities.