The wrist is a complex joint and we use it a lot. It is therefore not surprising that when we have pain in the joints, we often hear it in the wrist joint. Pain in the wrist can have various causes. The severity of the cause can vary greatly and treatment depends on the cause. Common wrist problems include: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), rheumatism or wrist fractures.
The wrist
We use the wrist joint a lot and it is a complex joint. The wrist is the joint that connects the arm to the hand and allows bending in all directions. The wrist contains, among other things, an important artery that can be felt.
Pain in the wrist
Pain in the wrist is also a common problem. Complaints and pain are often very annoying and can significantly affect daily life due to loss of strength and freedom of movement. The type of pain depends on the cause. Symptoms often include a nagging pain, stitches in the wrist, tightness or a numb feeling. A painful wrist can have various causes. The following causes are common:
- Circulatory disorders
- Fracture in wrist or carpal bones
- Instability of carpal bones
- Nerve compression; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Wear and tear of the cartilage (arthrosis)
Instability of the carpal bones
After a fall, the carpal bones can shift position. A shift in the carpal bones can result in the wrist joint no longer being able to move properly. The joint becomes stuck, as it were. The treatment consists of restoring the position of the carpal bones, this is done surgically. After the operation, a cast and rehabilitation will take place for a number of months.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
This is a name we often hear, but what is it? CTS is an abbreviation for: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. CTS is common. There is a sturdy tunnel in the wrist; the carpal tunnel. Within this tunnel are important nerves and tendons. A nerve is very vulnerable and is therefore well protected. Compression of a nerve in the wrist can lead to CTS. This compression is often caused by swelling of surrounding tissues. The complaints of CTS mainly consist of: pain, numbness, loss of strength, numbness and tingling. The treatment of CTS is surgical, often under local anesthesia. By making an incision in the tendon leaf, the pressure in the carpal tunnel is removed and the complaints disappear. After the operation, a pressure bandage is applied, which can be replaced by a plaster after a few days.
Arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is wear and tear of the cartilage. Because the cartilage on the bones wears away, the bones lie directly on top of each other. This bone contact causes increasingly worse pain. Osteoarthritis can be very painful and disabling in the long term. Osteoarthritis can have the following causes, among others:
- Osteoarthrosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis after injury
- Gout
- Infection
- Psoriasis
- Chronic overload
- Damage to the joints due to trauma
The treatment of osteoarthritis will often consist of pain relief and recovery of function through therapy and medication. If this treatment method does not achieve results, a switch will be made to an surgical solution. The joint spots that rub against each other are often surgically removed and joined together. Naturally, the joint can no longer move. Another method is to replace the affected cartilage with a prosthesis or a tendon. The method often depends on the severity and location.
Blood vessel entrapment
For the proper functioning of our body, it is important that sufficient nutrients are present in all places. These nutrients are mainly released by the blood. Blood vessel compression results in a reduction in the supply of these nutrients. Blood vessel compression can have the following consequences, among others:
- Swelling
- Painful stabs
- Blue discoloration
- Heavy feeling in hand
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling
- Deafness
- Lose warm cold feeling
Wrist fractures
A wrist fracture is a break in the ulna or radius. A fracture can be very painful and prompt treatment is therefore necessary. A fracture is often repaired by placing plaster, placing pins or a titanium plate or placing an external frame. Recovery is usually 3 to 12 weeks and depends on the severity of the fracture.