Tis the season! I don’t know about you but I am ready to enjoy the great outdoors and cooler weather. Who else loves hiking and skiing? Wrist pain is common with any activity or sport, and can take you off of the court or the slopes.
One of the most common causes of wrist pain is overuse. This pain often begins slowly and continues over time without a specific event or injury. The main complaint is usually aching pain in the wrist or numb and tingling to the fingers after repetitive activities related to the job or sports. There may be a history of past sprains.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that occurs when a nerve that passes through the wrist, called the median nerve, becomes compressed and irritated. Symptoms are intermittent numb and tingling to the middle fingers of the hand increased after prolonged activities such as painting, typing on the computer and other fine motor hand use. This condition can be diagnosed by examination and a nerve conduction study if needed to confirm. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and includes splints, physical therapy, injections, and surgery depending upon severity of the condition.
Arthritis of the wrist is formation of bone spurs and loss of space between the bones of the wrist, often combined with history of mild injuries or sprains in the distant past. There is usually aching, stiffness and pain across the wrist as well as inflammation, swelling and reduced range of motion. An x-ray can confirm osteoarthritis of the wrist and treatment options include physical therapy, oral anti inflammatories and surgery. At CHARM we use a person’s own healing components derived from their blood, called platelet rich plasma, or stem cells harvested from bone marrow, to inject into damaged areas to promote growth and healing of tissues.
TFCC injury (triangular fibrocartilage complex) is a tear to a complex of ligaments that stabilize several bones along the ulnar or pinky finger side of the wrist. This injury can be degenerative but is often caused by hyperextension towards the ulnar side of wrist and is common among athletes, especially tennis and baseball players. Pain is usually aching or sharp along the pinky finger side of the wrist and is increased with motion. Pain associated with a mild tear may be alleviated with splinting, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications. Surgery is an option depending upon severity of the tear, and Platelet Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Stem Cells are more innovative healing approaches.
