Amongst all the joints in our body, the wrist is probably the most useful and the most complex of them all. For one thing, your daily activities most often depend on the dexterity and strength of your wrist. For another thing, your wrist is made up of an intricate network of eight carpal bones, five metacarpal bones and two forearm bones, all tightly packed and connected with nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments. As such, whenever you experience a sore wrist, you had better hop on to its treatments pronto.
Concerns
Why all the fuss about a simple sore wrist, you might ask? When you do not seek treatment from either your physician, at home or both you run some serious risks with your dexterity and strength. The problems can multiply three fold from something minor to actual loss of use. Think about all the times you use your wrist each day and how an injured or inflamed joint could cause serious issues.
Any common activity can further irritate a sore wrist, things like hours working on a computer, tennis, golf, washing the dishes, walking the dog or even playing an instrument can further injure a sore wrist. When it is all said and done, you can end up with more pain, frustration, complicated and expensive procedures should you choose to ignore a painful wrist. Take care of this most important joint and you will have long healthy use of it.
Common Causes
Many things can cause pain in your wrist; it could be a medical condition, injury, or overuse that causes soreness and inflammation in this joint. In order to arrive at a correct diagnosis your physician will ask you several questions. He or she will ask about the history of the pain or injury, how often it hurts, location, type of pain such as burning or stabbing, list of your current medications and other questions.
Medical conditions like tendonitis, arthritis, ganglion cysts and carpal tunnel syndrome are all possible culprits when you have a sore wrist. Repeating the same motion on a consistent basis can also bring on wrist pain. When you do any motion repetitively like tennis or typing for a long time with no support and improper form you run a risk for injury. You could have also sprained or cracked your wrist in a fall.
Keep in mind, however, that these causes can be strongly interconnected. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome often results from repetitive motions like typing at a keyboard for long periods of time without the benefit of simple hand exercises.
Care
You want to have the correct diagnosis before you begin treatment for a sore wrist. The wrong treatment is as bad as no treatment at all! Some instances will call for a RICE protocol such as in case of a sprain, while carpal tunnel syndrome may need surgery.
A medical professional should be the one to assign the best treatment for your sore wrist. Nevertheless the RICE protocol, that is rest, ice, compress and elevation is good practical advice for both first aid and after care. In some instances, you may have to make some lifestyle changes such is normally the case for arthritis. Discuss all options with your doctor when it comes to surgery, cortisone or other pain relievers, as you will have many physical and financial repercussions to deal with afterwards.
Undeniably, a sore wrist can be a pain in the neck. With the right medical attention and personal care, however, it can be a pain of the past.
Concerns
Why all the fuss about a simple sore wrist, you might ask? When you do not seek treatment from either your physician, at home or both you run some serious risks with your dexterity and strength. The problems can multiply three fold from something minor to actual loss of use. Think about all the times you use your wrist each day and how an injured or inflamed joint could cause serious issues.
Any common activity can further irritate a sore wrist, things like hours working on a computer, tennis, golf, washing the dishes, walking the dog or even playing an instrument can further injure a sore wrist. When it is all said and done, you can end up with more pain, frustration, complicated and expensive procedures should you choose to ignore a painful wrist. Take care of this most important joint and you will have long healthy use of it.
Common Causes
Many things can cause pain in your wrist; it could be a medical condition, injury, or overuse that causes soreness and inflammation in this joint. In order to arrive at a correct diagnosis your physician will ask you several questions. He or she will ask about the history of the pain or injury, how often it hurts, location, type of pain such as burning or stabbing, list of your current medications and other questions.
Medical conditions like tendonitis, arthritis, ganglion cysts and carpal tunnel syndrome are all possible culprits when you have a sore wrist. Repeating the same motion on a consistent basis can also bring on wrist pain. When you do any motion repetitively like tennis or typing for a long time with no support and improper form you run a risk for injury. You could have also sprained or cracked your wrist in a fall.
Keep in mind, however, that these causes can be strongly interconnected. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome often results from repetitive motions like typing at a keyboard for long periods of time without the benefit of simple hand exercises.
Care
You want to have the correct diagnosis before you begin treatment for a sore wrist. The wrong treatment is as bad as no treatment at all! Some instances will call for a RICE protocol such as in case of a sprain, while carpal tunnel syndrome may need surgery.
A medical professional should be the one to assign the best treatment for your sore wrist. Nevertheless the RICE protocol, that is rest, ice, compress and elevation is good practical advice for both first aid and after care. In some instances, you may have to make some lifestyle changes such is normally the case for arthritis. Discuss all options with your doctor when it comes to surgery, cortisone or other pain relievers, as you will have many physical and financial repercussions to deal with afterwards.
Undeniably, a sore wrist can be a pain in the neck. With the right medical attention and personal care, however, it can be a pain of the past.
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson spends his time caring for sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can click here to find out more regarding having asore wrist.
