Wrist or hand tendonitis can make the simplest day-to-day tasks much more difficult. The condition can arise from an injury or any repetitive motion. When tendons rub too hard against the bone, the inflammation can result in stiffness and pain. Learn the roots and remedies of tendonitis in the wrist.
What Causes Tendonitis?
Normally, tendons are protected by a fluid known as synovial fluid that allows smooth movement between the tendons and surrounding muscles and bone. Sometimes, repetitive motions or injury can cause the tendon to thicken or inflame, making natural movement difficult. Manual, physical labor or even repetitive typing on a computer can cause tendonitis.
Detection
You may discover sore or swollen wrists when you wake up in the morning, or find your wrist hurts when you put pressure on it. This may not be a sharp sudden pain. Rather, tendonitis can develop slowly over a long period of time, meaning you may not feel the need to call a doctor right away. However, if you experience persistent pain in your wrist or any other joint, it’s best to seek medical treatment.
Prevention
Avoiding repetitive movements can help prevent tendonitis from forming in the first place. It’s recommended to warm up hands and wrists with exercises and stretches before any hand-related activities like sports or typing. When you notice pain in your hand or wrist, take a break from the activity.
Treatment
Simple solutions like a splint or ice therapy can treat smaller cases of tendonitis. For more severe conditions, physical therapy might be recommended to increase mobility. You can help increase mobility by contacting our hand specialist. Anti-inflammatory medications or injections are also common treatments. Finally, cortisone can be injected to help the inflamed area. However, this kind of treatment should only be used sparingly, as it can weaken the tendon over time.
Surgery
In severe cases, tendonitis can be treated with surgery. This procedure involves removing inflamed scar tissue and repairing damaged tendons for better mobility in the hands. Surgery is often used for long-time neglected cases of tendonitis. The earlier hand tendonitis is treated, the more treatment options will be available.
Don’t wait when it comes to your pain. Hand specialists at MSA are here to diagnose and treat your tendonitis so you can enjoy ample mobility for many years to come. Get in touch with us to learn about your treatment options.