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Wrist Pain

Wrist Pain

About Wrist Pain

Wrist pain can make it challenging to type, write, or even do basic grooming tasks. If you’re struggling with wrist pain, the North Point Orthopaedics providers in Munster and Crown Point, Indiana, offer solutions that can help stop your pain so you can resume your normal activities. Call the office nearest to you or book your appointment through the online scheduling feature now.

Wrist Pain Q & A

What is wrist pain?

Wrist pain refers to discomfort in the area at the base of your hand. Pain is just one aspect of the issue, though. The conditions that cause wrist pain can also lead to issues such as: 

  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Numbness
  • Tingling 
  • Burning sensation
  • Hand weakness
  • Difficulty forming a fist or moving your thumb

All of these issues can make it very hard to type, hold a pen or pencil, brush your hair, or do other routine activities.

What causes wrist pain?

Wrist pain happens because of repetitive motions, joint disease, and injuries, such as: 

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is inflammation in the passageway in your wrist that houses your median nerve. Because your median nerve delivers feeling in your thumb and some of your finger, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause symptoms in your wrist and also part of your hand. 

Overuse is a common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, but conditions that cause nerve damage, like diabetes, can increase your risk. People with small wrist anatomy, women, and people who struggle with their weight are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of joint diseases that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. 

Several types of arthritis can affect the wrist, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can strike your wrists. 

Injuries

Wrist injuries can happen during slip-and-fall accidents, sports accidents, falls, and many other types of accidents. Fractures are a common example of injuries that can lead to wrist pain, but soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains can also occur.

If you have persistent wrist pain, North Point Orthopedics can diagnose the issue and help you to get your quality of life back. 

How is wrist pain treated?

Wrist pain treatment depends on the cause and how the pain affects your life. Conservative care usually includes anti-inflammatory medication, bracing to stabilize your wrist, and physical therapy. 

If your pain doesn’t decrease with these measures, your North Point Orthopaedics provider may recommend other options, such as precision medicine — platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells. Precision medicine triggers your body to heal at a greatly increased rate, which relieves your pain. 

In some cases — with structural damage or severe joint degeneration as examples — you could need surgery. North Point Orthopaedics offers minimally invasive approaches like wrist arthroscopy for most wrist problems, and the expert providers even offer wrist joint replacement.

Do you need help with wrist pain? Call North Point Orthopaedics or click on the online appointment maker for help now.