Wrist pain

Wrist Pain: Causes, Management, and Implications

Wrist pain, often termed as open wrist, describes a clinical syndrome where individuals experience discomfort in the wrist, inhibiting their ability to utilize their hand. This pain can range from mild to severe and may intensify, or in crescendo, upon exertion or application of force. Overexertion or undue strain on the wrist is a common cause, seen frequently in individuals such as weight lifters, athletes, or even bricoleurs.

Etiology

Wrist pain can arise from a myriad of conditions and disorders, including:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by pressure on the median nerve.
• Wrist osteoarthritis: Degenerative joint disease affecting the wrist.
• Kienbock's disease: Disruption of blood flow to one of the small bones in the wrist.
• Scaphoid fracture: Breakage of a small wrist bone.
• Scapholunate dissociation: A wrist ligament tear.
• Carpal boss: An overgrowth or "bossing" of the back of the wrist bones.
• Ulnar nerve entrapment: Compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve, often related to Guyon's canal syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome.
• Wrist fracture, Wrist sprain: Injury to the bone or ligaments of the wrist.
• Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons, can be in the wrist (Extensor) or thumb (DeQuervains).

Management

For cases without inflammation, initial management often includes:

• Use of wrist support, typically a leather or neoprene wrist brace. For severe pain, a steel-reinforced brace might be utilized.
• Application of hot or cold compresses in the acute phase to alleviate pain and swelling.

It's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for a definitive diagnosis and tailored treatment plan, as the underlying cause of wrist pain can vary greatly among individuals.

Implications and Prognosis

If untreated or mismanaged, wrist pain can lead to chronic discomfort, decreased hand functionality, and impaired quality of life. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can mitigate these outcomes.

See Also

• Wrist brace
• Sprained ankle

References

Wrist pain Resources
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Portions of content adapted from Wikipedia's article on Wrist pain which is released under the CC BY-SA 3.0.