What is Wrist Tendonitis?
Wrist tendonitis means inflammation of the tendons in the wrist. Health professionals nowadays refer tendonitis more commonly to “overuse tendinopathy.” Mild pain is typical in this condition and is considered localized pain in or around the tendon.
Your tendons can withstand a lot of bending, twisting and stretching since they were designed for such movement. However, if this occurs from traumatic injury they may become inflamed which creates torn fibers or other damage in the wrist, causing wrist tendonitis.
Wrist tendonitis is usually described as a repetitive strain injury. This is typically in sports and work which requires repetitive movements, such as:
- Playing sports
- Computer typing
- Writing
- Physical work
Your condition will depend on the problems which occur since each case is different. For some conditions, more inflammation is typical while others might be affected by chronic damage to the tendon.
Symptoms of Wrist Tendonitis
Wrist pain is the most common complaint from someone who has been diagnosed with wrist tendonitis. The pain is usually mild and described as a dull ache rather than a sharp pain.
Additional symptoms may include:
- Warmth and redness of the tendons
- Swelling around the wrist joint
- Grinding sensations (crepitus) with the movement of the tendons
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Most patients who experience wrist tendonitis are treated with conservative methods first before surgical intervention. Some treatments may be more particular than others depending on the diagnosis. Each treatment plan is made to fit the individual’s specific condition.
It is typical for the following to be recommended:
- Immobilization: It is typical for someone with wrist tendonitis to be placed in a splint or cast. By resting the tendon, the inflammation should decrease.
- Ice the Injury: Applying an ice pack intermittently to the area of inflammation may also be beneficial.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications will help control symptoms of pain. Although most importantly they help treat wrist tendonitis to rid of inflammation and swelling of the soft tissues. These treatment medications can decrease inflammation, which causes pain in the wrist.
- Therapy: Hand therapy is a specialized type of therapy that is focused on the complex function of the hand and wrist, and the many tendons and ligaments that surround and support the joint.
- Cortisone Injection: Cortisone is a more powerful anti-inflammatory treatment option that is given by injection directly to the site of inflammation.
Surgical Treatment:
Surgical treatment is typically the last resort after all conservative methods (such as above) have been exhausted. This procedure is performed by increasing space in between tendons.