Wrist Pain – Treatment for Tendonitis in the Hand and Wrist

Tendinitis often occurs due to overuse and repetitive strain injury. Other high-risk activities that can lead to the development of wrist tendinitis include:

• Participating in athletic activities that can strain the wrist and hand, like tennis and gymnastics.
• Repetitive strain injuries at work.
• Sudden trauma or an accident like a fall where you put your hands down to catch yourself, putting pressure on your wrists.
• Patients with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis may be susceptible to tendinitis.
• Sustained gripping and grasping activities.

Common symptoms of wrist tendinitis include:

• Wrist pain or tenderness directly over the tendon that can radiate to the hand or forearm
• Pain or burning sensation during activities
• Difficulty dressing and performing activities of daily living
• Weakness may occur as the inflammation gets worse
• A feeling of tightness or loss of motion due to discomfort
• Swelling of the tendon
• Loss of motion at the wrist

Not all people with tendinitis will have all these symptoms, and it’s essential to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Failure to treat tendinitis can result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, and weakening of the tendons, which can lead to further complications.

If you suspect you have tendinitis, your initial treatment should consist of avoiding the positions and activities that produce any pain. We usually recommend a course of conservative treatment. This course includes rest and immobilization, possible splinting, ice, physical therapy, and non-steroidal medications to reduce inflammation. If symptoms persist, treatment by your physician may be necessary. This treatment regimen may include steroidal medication or injections in conjunction with therapy. In severe cases, You may require surgical intervention to correct any mechanical causes of the tendon irritation.

Procedures that your pain management specialist may recommend and perform include:

• REST and ICE
• The use of NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
• Steroidal injections to reduce inflammation
• Pain medication to reduce the discomfort
• Surgery to correct underlying pathology or the cause of the tendinitis
• Splinting to rest or immobilize the wrist and affected tendons.