COPING WITH WRIST PAIN & HAND PAIN

Common Causes :

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain. Often its symptoms include aching, burning, tingling or numbness in the thumb, fingers, wrist or palm, Sometimes, the thumb muscle can become weak, making it difficult to grasp things. Pain can even extend up to the elbow and upper arm.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets compressed at the wrist because of swelling or constriction. Such swelling is likely to happen when:

• There is repetitive wrist motion like typing on a computer keyboard, using a vibrating tool, using a mouse, playing racquet sports or writing
• Pregnancy, menopause, or obesity exits. .
• There are other conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, premenstrual syndrome or d arthritis .

• Trauma to wrist
• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Wrist Arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative arthritis)

Wrist Pain Diagnosis

 It is important to obtain a physician evaluation of all wrist pain conditions. While most wrist pain conditions improve spontaneously, sometimes wrist pain which are lingering and incapacitating. Therefore a precise diagnosis is important. The physician clinical evaluation along with diagnostic tests such as electrodiagnosis (EMG/NCV) x-ray and MRI are helpful. Recently, the availability of office based musculoskeletal ultrasound has greatly improved diagnosis and treatment options. Key advantages of this technique include cost-effectiveness, availability and ability to perform a dynamic examination (examination of the joint during movement).