You can get wrist pain due to many issues ranging from sprains to sudden injuries causing trauma or fractures. You can also get pain in your wrists from a long-term problem, like arthritis, repetitive stress, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. While you need an accurate diagnosis for proper treatment and healing, the presence of multiple factors leading to wrist pain can make it difficult.

Symptoms of Wrist Pain

Typical symptoms include sharp and sudden pain in the hand, swelling, and redness in the wrist, swollen fingers, and difficulty in gripping objects or making a fist, and warmth in the wrist joint. The pain may vary depending on the reason.

For example, carpal tunnel syndrome will typically manifest itself in a pins-and-needles feeling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers that increases at night. The pain due to osteoarthritis is like a dull toothache but in the wrists.

Typical Causes of Wrist Pain

Sudden impacts: If you fall on an outstretched hand, you may experience a sprain, stain, or fracture. Some kinds of fractures like a scaphoid fracture may not even show up on X-rays.

Repetitive stress: If you undertake any activity that involves repetitive wrist motion, it can cause stress fractures or tissue inflammation. Typical activities include typing on a keyboard, hitting a tennis ball, etc. The injury becomes worse if the activity is for a longer period.

Arthritis: You can suffer from two common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is relatively uncommon in the wrist unless it has suffered an injury earlier. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in the wrist and if one wrist is affected, the other may also follow, according to a regenerative pain specialist at QC Kinetix (Exton). Follow the map

Carpal tunnel syndrome: According to Medical News Today, it is a condition that develops due to an increase in pressure on the median nerve passing through the carpal tunnel in the palm.

Ganglion cysts: These are soft cysts that typically form on the wrist on the opposite side of the palm. These cysts may be extremely painful and activity may worsen the pain or even give relief.

Kienbock disease: It is a condition involving the progressive collapse of one of the small wrist bones and usually affects young adults. The reason for this affliction is an insufficient supply of blood to the wrist bone.

Preventing Wrist Pain

While you may not always be able to avoid accidents and unforeseen events causing wrist injuries, you can often protect yourself better by building bone strength. You must ensure you get 1000-1200 mg of calcium daily through your diet or a calcium supplement.

You should also learn to prevent falls by wearing sensible shoes, removing home hazards, lighting up your home adequately, and installing handrails on staircases and grab rails in the bathroom. Paying attention to ergonomics; taking breaks if working on the keyboard for a long time and using protective gear for sporting activities can also help.

Conclusion 

You can resolve minor issues by resting the wrist, applying an ice pack or pain ointment, or taking an OTC pain medication. However, if the pain grows worse or persists, it may help to consult a doctor to prevent a reduced range of motion and poor healing.