What are wrist injuries?
Your wrist is made up of several small joints that connect your forearm to your hand. It consists of various bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are numerous wrist injuries you might encounter, including:
- Ganglion cysts
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Gout
- Tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis joint damage
- Rheumatoid arthritis joint problems
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
Your risk of developing a wrist injury increases if you play sports, take a hard fall, do repetitive work with you hands (typing or cutting hair), or have arthritis.
What are the symptoms of wrist injuries?
If you have a wrist injury you might experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
- Sharp wrist pain
- Dull, aching pain
- Swelling
- Wrist weakness
- Stiffness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Pins and needles
- Decreased range of motion
If wrist pain is severe or doesn’t subside after a few days, schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist at OasisMD for an evaluation.
How are wrist injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose the cause of a wrist injury, Dr. Yalom reviews your medical history, asks you about your symptoms, and examines your wrist. She may complete blood tests, nerve tests, or advanced diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, or an ultrasound.
What is the treatment for wrist injuries?
Your personalized treatment plan depends on the type and severity of your wrist injury. Your orthopedic specialist might recommend:
Conservative treatment
For minor wrist injuries your doctor may encourage you to try ice, rest, compression, or wearing a brace while the injury heals.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy may accelerate healing without further treatment. Your therapist shows you exercises that strengthen your wrist joint, relieve pain, decrease recovery time, and prevent future injuries.
Medications/injections
Medications or injections help reduce pain and inflammation associated with a wrist injury.
Surgery
If other treatment options fail, surgery might be the best way to fully restore joint function and ease chronic wrist pain. Dr. Yalom may recommend wrist arthroscopy using small surgical instruments and a tiny camera to view the inside of your wrist’s structures.
She might remove cysts or inflamed areas, complete wrist ligament repair, or utilize wrist reconstruction by surgically fixing multiple injuries at once.
Don’t live with chronic wrist pain when you don’t have to. Schedule an appointment with OasisMD by phone or online today.
