Wrist complaints

With hand and wrist complaints, you experience pain around or in the wrist joint when you move or put weight on your wrist, and sometimes even when you keep the wrist still. Sometimes the pain radiates from the wrist to the fingers in the form of pain or tingling, or towards the elbow. This often indicates the type of condition underlying the wrist problems. Wrist pain can significantly hinder your daily activities as well as your sports or work.

Wrist pain can arise suddenly or gradually. It often concerns a condition affecting the tendons or nerves that run through the wrist. Almost always, wrist complaints are caused by overuse or an incorrect position of the wrist joint. This can, for example, result in swelling in the carpal tunnel (also known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). This leads to increased pressure due to a buildup of fluid in the wrist joint, which causes pain and tingling to radiate. Performing the same movements for a long time or leaning on the wrist can worsen the symptoms. Examples include mountain biking or computer work. Your physiotherapist can often accurately determine the exact cause of wrist pain.

Often, there is a combined and complex set of problems. Pain in the hand and wrist can have many causes. It is important that you make an appointment with the physiotherapist so they can diagnose the underlying condition. Certain conditions, such as tendonitis or nerve compression in the wrist, have a specific pattern of symptoms. Your physiotherapist can, for example, identify one of the following issues:

• Tendonitis in the wrist
  
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
  
• Dupuytren’s contracture

Other causes include:

• Osteoarthritis of the wrist or fingers
  
• Bacterial infection
  
• Bruising of the wrist joint or fingers
  
• Fracture

There are a lot of tendons running through the wrist. These tendons are responsible for bending and stretching the fingers (and wrist). Generally, these tendons are relatively vulnerable and lie close together. Many of the tendons in the wrist also pass through the carpal tunnel. A tendon inflammation in the wrist is very bothersome and can be caused by repetitive movements or by consistently putting weight on the wrist. When there is an abnormal position of the wrist, this can also trigger tendon inflammation because it leaves less space for the tendon. Tendon inflammation in the wrist can also occur in the tendon sheath. This is then referred to as a tendon sheath inflammation. This type of tendon inflammation often leads to the production of a lot of fluid, which can result in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

When the above occurs, increased pressure in the wrist can develop due to fluid between the tendons and the overlying ligament capsules. The increased pressure in the wrist causes a dull ache, and if the pain persists, it can also lead to tingling in the fingers. In the long term, even loss of function can occur. You may drop things more easily and have difficulty writing. If you suspect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it is advisable to visit your physiotherapist as soon as possible for a diagnostic examination. They will then assess whether treatment is possible. Shockwave therapy addresses the underlying cause where possible, reducing fluid production and relieving pressure in the wrist.

When the above occurs, increased pressure in the wrist can develop due to fluid between the tendons and the overlying ligament capsules. The increased pressure in the wrist causes a dull ache, and if the pain persists, it can also cause tingling towards the fingers. In the long term, even loss of function can occur. You may drop things more easily and have difficulty writing. If you suspect Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, it is advisable to visit your physiotherapist as soon as possible for a diagnostic examination. They will then assess whether treatment is possible. Shockwave therapy addresses the cause where possible, reducing fluid production and decreasing the pressure in the wrist.

Generally, shockwave therapy can provide relief for these symptoms but can never completely make them disappear.