Wrist Pain

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Wrist pain?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. Let's take a look.
Pharmacist

Other causes of wrist pain include arthritis, swelling due to pregnancy, gout, pseudogout, wrist injury, sprain and so on.



lady with wrist pain

Let's see what you are looking at.

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Wrist sprains are ranked by how severe the ligament is pulled or torn away from the bone. (source: medlineplus)

Grade 1:
Ligaments are stretched too far, but not torn. This is a mild injury.

Grade 2:
Ligaments are partially torn. This is a moderate injury and may require splinting or casting to stabilize the joint.

Grade 3:
Ligaments are completely torn. This is a severe injury and usually requires medical or surgical care.

Chronic wrist sprains from poorly treated ligament injuries in the past can lead to weakening of the bones and ligaments in the wrist. This can lead to arthritis if not recognized

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Wrist pain

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How bad is it?

Let's rule out an emergency situation to start with.
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Can you move the wrist, hand or fingers?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or emergency room.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need further evaluation.
  • Possible dislocation.

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Does the wrist look deformed or broken?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or emergency room.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need professional evaluation

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Do you have a fever of over 100°F with this wrist pain?
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Seek urgent care or call your doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Possible infection.

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Did you recently have an infection and now your wrist is red and swollen?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call your doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need complete evaluation especially if not currently under medical supervision.

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Is the wrist red and warm to touch?
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Yes?

 


Those were symptoms of a wrist pain that require emergency care.
Pharmacist

If you have:

  • Redness and warmth of the wrist
  • Fever above 100°F
  • A rash
  • Recent illness (like a virus or other infection).

You may be looking at infectious arthritis.

This is a medical emergency. Call your doctor, go to the emergency room or the nearest urgent care clinic.

If none of these apply to you, then let's continue.

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Wrist pain

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Do you have a history of rheumathoid arthritis
(generally affects both wrists)

Or osteoarthritis?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:


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What about a history of gout?

or pseudogout?
Pharmacist

 

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.
Pharmacist

Here is why:

  • Need close evaluation.

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Is the wrist swollen?
Pharmacist

 

 

Does the wrist pain extend to the elbow?
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Are you experiencing numbness or tingling of the palm of the hand?

Or thumb and the next 2 or 3 fingers?
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Wrist pain

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Is it carpal tunnel?

Let's see if you may be looking at carpal tunnel syndrome here.
Pharmacist

 

Are you noticing problems with fine finger movements?
(coordination)
Pharmacist

 

Yes?

 

Is your grip getting weaker?

Or do you have difficulty carrying bags?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
Suspecting possible carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pharmacist

 

Do you wake up at night with burning or aching wrist pain?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
This is a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pharmacist

 

Do you wake up at night with numbness and tingling in the wrist?
Pharmacist

 

Yes?
You may be looking at carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pharmacist

 


Those were signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Pharmacist

If none of the discussion so far apply to you, then you may have ruled out carpal tunnel syndrome. Probably looking at a minor case of wrist inflammation or sprain.

If you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, then let's do some tests.

One is called Tinel's sign and the other is called Phalen's test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrist pain

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Tinel's sign.

Lightly tap over the median nerve on the wrist.
Pharmacist

Need picture here of median nerve or in fyi

This may cause pain to shoot from the wrist to the hand or a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles" in the thumb, index, and middle finger.

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Wrist pain

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Phalen's test

Bend the wrist forward all the way and hold for 60 seconds.
Pharmacist

In carpal tunnel syndrome, this may result in:

  • Numbness,
  • Tingling,
  • Or weakness.

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Wrist pain

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If you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, you will have to get in touch with the doctor.
Pharmacist

There are other tests the healthcare provider would have to do to aid in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Would you like to visit the nearest urgent care or see what a pharmacist recommend you use over-the-counter until you can see a doctor?

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A nerve called the median nerve provides feeling and movement to the "thumb side" of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger).

The place in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is a narrow tunnel on the palm side called the carpal tunnel. Any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Wrist pain

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Good.
A few of the different causes of wrist pain are discussed below.
Pharmacist

Common injuries involving the wrist include sprain, strain, tendonitis, and bursitis. Wrist pain with swelling and bruising is usually a sign of an injury. Arthritis is another common cause of wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Would you like to visit the nearest urgent care or see what a pharmacist recommend you use over-the-counter until you can see a doctor?

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