Does your wrist hurt too? It could be Wrist Tendinitis!

Do you often feel pain in your wrist? Sometimes, even doing simple tasks like opening a water bottle or opening a door is difficult? Or when you lift a heavy object, bend or straighten your arm, does your wrist feel like it "gets stuck" or makes a "click" sound? If so, you may have a condition called wrist tendinitis . Don't worry, let's talk about this in detail today, okay?

What is Wrist Tendinitis?

Simply put, Wrist Tendinitis is when the tendons in your wrist become inflamed. Tendons are the tough tissues inside your hand that connect muscles to bones. These are what help you move your hand and fingers. There are about six of these tendons in your wrist.

So, if these tendons are put under continuous pressure, or if they suffer an injury like a sprain, they can become irritated and swollen. This is what we call tendonitis.

Now look, there are main types of this too.

• De Quervain's tendinitis : This is the most common type of tendinitis. It affects the tendon on the side of your big toe.
• Ulnar tendinitis : This is when the tendon on the side of your hand where your little finger is located becomes inflamed.

Who is most likely to develop this condition?

In fact, anyone who puts constant stress and strain on their wrists is at risk for this condition. Think about it, a new mother or someone who takes care of young children can get it. This condition can occur when they are holding a child or holding their hands in the same position all day. That's why some people call it "mommy's wrist," especially the condition ``De Quervain's tendinitis.''

Also, there are several other risk factors:

• Being a woman: Women are more likely to develop this condition than men.
• Being over 40 years of age.
• If you have previously injured your tendons, or if you have a condition such as lateral epicondylitis, which is pain on the outside of your elbow.
• Working in a job that requires you to keep doing the same kind of movements. For example, cake icing, hairstyling, heavy machinery operation, and typing on a computer keyboard.
• Having certain health conditions: People with diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout.
• Some infectious conditions.
• Engaging in sports that put a lot of pressure on the wrists, such as gymnastics and basketball.
• Holding your hands and wrists in the wrong position when working, typing, or texting.
• Smoking.
• Starting a new activity all at once without properly preparing your wrist before doing it.
• To continue working despite the pain.

How common is wrist tendonitis?

To be honest, wrist tendonitis like ``De Quervain's tendinitis'' is not that common. It affects about 0.5% of men and 1.3% of women. But, no matter who gets it, it's a painful experience, right?

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

Often, the main cause of this is repetitive stress on the tendons in the wrist. Our tendons have a thin covering (tendon sheath) around them that helps them move easily. This is like a layer of lubricant. Now, when we work with our hands continuously, this covering can become irritated , swollen, and enlarged. Then the tendons have difficulty moving smoothly inside this covering. Therefore, the tendons become stressed, and pain begins to occur when we move our wrists and fingers.

What are the symptoms? How do you recognize it?

If you have `(Wrist Tendinitis)`, you may experience symptoms like these:

• Difficulty performing certain movements. For example, opening bottle caps, unlocking doors, picking up a pet or small baby.
• Stiffness, a "stuck" feeling, or a "clicking" sound when moving the wrist or fingers.
• Swelling around the wrist or where the fingers begin.
• Wrist pain, especially on the thumb or little finger side.

How does a doctor diagnose this accurately?

When you go to see a doctor, they will first ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. They will then feel certain areas of your hand, wrist, and fingers to see if they are swollen or painful. They will also ask you to do certain movements, such as clenching your fists and rotating your wrists, to find out exactly where the pain is coming from.

Sometimes, the symptoms of `(Wrist Tendinitis)` can be similar to those of other conditions that affect the wrist and fingers. For example:

• Arthritis: This causes swelling and pain in the joints.
• `(Carpal tunnel syndrome)`: In this, the hand becomes numb and feels like a tickle due to compression of a vein in the wrist.
• `(Trigger finger)`: In this, the tendon becomes swollen and gets stuck when a finger is bent.
• Wrist fractures .

So, the doctor may also order an imaging scan, such as an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound, to make sure there are no other conditions like this.

What are the treatments for this?

The good news is that many people can reduce this pain with simple, nonsurgical treatments. Your doctor may recommend things like:

Treatment with medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be given to reduce pain and swelling. In some cases, your doctor may also give you steroid injections into your wrist or near your finger joints.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy

Physical therapists and occupational therapists can help you regain strength, mobility, and range of motion in your wrist and fingers. They can also teach you how to perform everyday tasks, such as typing and lifting, in a way that reduces wrist pain.

Rest and the RICE method

Rest is the most important treatment for wrist tendinitis. Never aggravate your wrist pain by holding it in. Minimize activities such as typing, lifting, and twisting your wrist as much as possible to give your tendons time to heal.

The `(RICE method)` is a home treatment that can help reduce swelling and pain in the wrist.

• R (Rest) - Rest: Give your hand a rest.
• I (Ice) - Apply ice: Apply ice for about 20 minutes several times a day. But do not apply ice directly to the skin, place something like a towel on top.
• C (Compression): Apply a small amount of compression with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.
• E (Elevation) - Elevation: Keep your arm above the level of your heart whenever possible.

Using a splint

A splint is a device that helps keep your wrist, and sometimes your fingers, immobile. This gives the tendons a rest. Your doctor may recommend a custom splint that fits you, or you may be able to use one that you can buy at a pharmacy.

Will surgery be necessary?

If your symptoms do not improve after several months of these general treatments, you may need surgery for your wrist tendinitis. There are several ways to perform wrist tendon surgery, but these are the most common:

• Removing damaged tissue from the covering (tendon sheath) around the tendon.
• Making a few small cuts in the covering to give the tendon more room to move.

A wrist tendon surgery is usually an outpatient procedure where you can go home the same day without having to stay in the hospital. You may have local anesthesia or general anesthesia. After the surgery, your wrist will be bandaged, and the stitches will usually be removed after about two weeks.

What are the risks of surgery?

Wrist Tendinitis surgery is generally a safe, low-complication procedure. However, as with all surgeries, there are some minor risks:

• Infection (`(Infection)`).
• Nerve damage (`(Nerve damage)`).
• Pain or a "pins-and-needles" feeling in the wrist or fingers.
• The wound does not heal properly or heals incompletely.
• Formation of scar tissue.
• Tendon displacement (`(Tendon subluxation)`).

How to protect yourself from this situation? (Prevention)

Follow these tips to protect yourself from wrist tendon pain:

• Don't overexert the tendons in your wrist or hand.
• If you smoke, stop it.
• Stretch your wrists well before any physical activity.
• If you're someone who constantly ``types'', or if you do work that puts pressure on your wrists, take regular breaks.
• If your doctor recommends it, use a protective wrist splint or brace.

How are you after recovery? (Outlook)

Most people respond well to treatment, and there is no long-term wrist damage or pain.

Once your wrist has healed, physical therapy or occupational therapy can help improve your wrist strength and range of motion. Therapists can also teach you how to continue your favorite activities in a way that puts less stress on your wrist.

But remember, once a tendon is injured, it is more likely to be injured again. So when playing sports, especially when you are doing the same movements, take special care of your wrists. The most important thing is, don't do anything in pain. Pain is your body's way of talking to you, listen to it.

When should you see a doctor?

In such a case, you should definitely see a doctor:

• If you can't move your wrist or fingers.
• If you can't bend your arm or hold an object.
• If the things you are holding always fall out of your hands.
• If you have severe, sudden pain in your wrist, hand, or fingers.
• If you notice swelling or a change in skin color around your wrist.

Take-Home Message

Wrist tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendons that connect your forearm to the bones in your fingers. This condition can cause pain when you reach, lift, or move your wrist or fingers. Rest, medication, injections, or a splint can usually help relieve the pain. Some people may need surgery. If you have a job that requires repetitive wrist movements or play a sport, make sure to rest and stretch your wrist regularly. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

` Wrist pain, tendonitis, hand pain, De Quervain's tendinitis, wrist disorders, hand rest, wrist protection