Wrist Pain That Doesn’t Go Away
When you have wrist pain that doesn’t seem to go away, it’s important to see a doctor right away. This can prevent permanent damage from occurring or worsening.
Common reasons for wrist pain include tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, osteoarthritis and wrist fractures. Your orthopedic doctor will do a thorough exam to determine the cause of your wrist pain. 손목통증 치료
Diagnosis
The wrist is a complex joint that connects your hand to your arm. It includes eight small bones connected with ligaments and tendons (bands of tissue).
Three large nerves pass through the wrist, allowing your hands to touch, feel, move and communicate with your brain. When any of these parts are injured or stressed, wrist pain can develop.
Your doctor will evaluate your wrist pain to see what’s causing it. They might do a physical exam, manipulate your hand and take your medical history.
They may also order certain tests to diagnose the cause of your pain. For example, a MRI may be used to view the bones and ligaments in your wrist.
Wrist pain can be caused by a fracture or sprain. If you’re experiencing a sprain, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment
If you’re experiencing wrist pain, it may be a sign of a serious problem. If it gets worse or you can’t move your wrist without pain, see a doctor right away.
Wrist injuries are common, especially when people fall or do a sport. These include sprains, a mild tear in a ligament that pulls on your wrist bones and fractures when a ligament breaks and pulls off bits of bone.
Severe sprains may require surgery to repair the fully torn ligament. This treatment may involve reconnecting the ligament to the bone or using a tendon graft to reconstruct it.
Other conditions that cause wrist pain are ganglion cysts, gout, bursitis and osteoarthritis (OA). Achy and stiff joints often indicate arthritis and may improve with medication and exercise.
Your doctor can diagnose wrist pain by examing your hand and wrist. He or she can also order imaging tests to help. These tests can include X-rays, CT scans and MRIs. Arthroscopy, a procedure that involves making a small cut in your wrist, can be used to see the inside of your wrist joint.
Surgery
When nonsurgical treatment doesn’t relieve pain, surgeons may recommend wrist surgery. Your surgeon will determine if you are healthy enough for surgery, and whether it’s best to perform the procedure in a hospital or outpatient surgical center.
X-rays and other tests will show your doctor the bones that need to be fixed, as well as soft tissue, such as tendons or ligaments. Your doctor also may order other tests to assess your general health.
Wrist arthroscopy is an outpatient procedure that lets your doctor see your wrist joint through a small incision in your skin. It can help align fractures, remove some ganglions, wash out infection or remove excess joint lining associated with inflammation from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Ligament repair: When ligaments are torn in your wrist after a sprain, your doctor will need to surgically reconnect the ligament to the bone. Pins may be inserted to hold the bones in place while the ligament heals.
Recovery
Wrist pain can be caused by a range of problems. It may be related to a chronic (ongoing) issue, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, or it could be a result of a traumatic injury, such as a wrist sprain.
If you suffer from wrist pain, it is important to seek medical care promptly. A wrist doctor can help you understand the cause of your symptoms and treat them effectively so that you can enjoy more movement.
For mild injuries, treatment typically involves ice and resting your wrist. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may also be used to reduce swelling and pain.
For severe sprains or breaks, surgery is required. This may involve reconnecting the ligament that was torn. Following the procedure, you will be referred to a hand surgeon for physical therapy and rehabilitation. 강서구정형외과