Causes and Treatment of Wrist Pain =

                           

 1)Wrist pain is a frequent complaint, and there are many potential causes, with a wrist sprain and tendonitis being the most common ones. The reason behind your pain dictates exactly how it's experienced—sharp pain, dull ache, pins and needles, or tightness, for example. But due to the wrist's complex anatomy, determining the "why" behind your wrist pain can be a tricky process.

                            

2)That is why the diagnostic process entails a detailed medical history and physical examination, followed by an imaging test. A treatment plan will follow, which usually involves medication for pain and inflammation control, and, rarely, surgery. 

 

Signs and Symptoms 

                                       

If you are unsure of the cause of your wrist pain, or if you do not know the specific treatment recommendations for your condition, you should seek medical attention. Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include:

• Inability to carry objects 1 or use the arm
• An injury that causes deformity of the joint
• Wrist pain that occurs at night or while resting
• Wrist pain that persists beyond a few days
• Inability to straighten or flex the joint
• Swelling2 or significant bruising around the joint or forearm
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
• Numbness and tingling of the hands and/or wrists

Treatment 

                                               

Treating wrist pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment program.

Self-Care Strategies

To start, a few self-care strategies may soothe your wrist pain, especially if you have been diagnosed with a sprain or tendonitis.

• Rest: The first treatment for many common conditions that cause wrist pain is to rest the joint and allow the acute inflammation to subside. It is important, however, to use caution when resting the joint because prolonged immobilization can cause joint stiffness.
• Ice Application: If you have been diagnosed with a sprain or tendonitis, it's a good idea to ice your wrist for twenty minutes every three to four hours for the first two days. While you may be tempted to extend the application time, doing so won't help heal your wrist any faster, and it could actually cause damage to the tissues.
• Compression: Your doctor may recommend wrist compression.3 Using an elastic bandage, wrap the wrist from the base of the fingers all the way up to the top of the forearm, overlapping the wrap by one half of its width. The wrap should be snug, but not cutting off circulation to the hand and wrist (tingling is a sign it's too tight).
• Immobilization: Support braces or splints may help people who have either experienced a recent wrist sprain injury or who have carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis. For people with wrist arthritis, wearing a splint during painful activities can be useful. A cast is needed in the event of a break, which—of course—would need to be applied by a medical professional.