How Can Wrist Specialists Help Treat Wrist Tendonitis?

If you are experiencing pain in your wrist, your body might be telling you that you’re pushing yourself too far. You may be putting repetitive strain on your wrists and hands, which could ultimately lead to injury. Eventually, these activities can cause inflammation, leading to wrist tendonitis.

What Is Wrist Tendonitis?

Simply put, wrist tendonitis happens when a tendon in your wrist becomes inflamed. You may think that the condition will resolve itself within a few weeks, but chances are, without activity change and rest, the condition will worsen.

Benefits Of Seeing A Wrist Specialist

If you have any medical concerns, it’s typically best to consult a professional healthcare provider.

Here are some reasons why you should see a wrist specialist as soon as you experience pain or difficulty in moving your wrist or hand:

Accurate Diagnosis

Wrist specialists can conduct health history checks and run diagnostic tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, and physical examinations to assess your symptoms. Many hand injuries manifest similar symptoms, so it’s best to get an accurate diagnosis before looking for treatment.

Without proper evaluation from a wrist specialist, you might undergo incorrect treatment. Unnecessary and inappropriate medical procedures may aggravate the underlying condition.

Conservative Treatment Options

There are many treatment options for wrist tendonitis. Your wrist specialist can recommend what the best option would be for you. Most people do not need to undergo surgery to treat wrist tendonitis.

However, if your wrist tendonitis does not improve after months of nonsurgical treatment, your orthopedic doctor may recommend that you explore surgical options.

Below are some of the treatments available for you to explore:

1. RICE Method — Rest, ice, compression, and elevation is an effective at-home treatment. You can do this without the assistance of your doctor. This method can help minimize swelling and pain symptoms in your wrist.
2. Physical or Occupational Therapy — Wrist tendonitis can cause difficulty in everyday tasks involving your hands. This form of therapy can help you regain mobility, strength, and range of motion.
3. Splinting — Splinting supports and stabilizes your wrist. It can either be a custom splint or an off-the-shelf one.
4. Medication — Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help you manage pain and inflammation. In some cases, your orthopedic doctor may also recommend steroid injections near the wrist.
5. Surgery — Your doctor may recommend surgery, which is typically an outpatient procedure with minimal recovery and downtime.

Recommend Helpful Lifestyle Changes

Your wrist specialist can also teach you some lifestyle changes you can incorporate to make your life easier. It can include foods to avoid, which habits you should start and end, and physical practices to ensure your wrist is not affected.

Risk Factors

Wrist tendonitis can affect anyone. However, some factors may make you more prone to the condition.

1. Gender –  Women are more prone to wrist tendonitis than men.
2. Age – People older than 40 are more susceptible to wrist tendonitis. Tendons degenerate and lose flexibility over time.
3. Work and lifestyle – Those with occupations that require repetitive wrist motions as part of their job may experience pain in their wrists. This includes athletes and people who have poor arm, hand, or wrist positions when texting or typing.
4. Other Health Conditions – Diabetes, gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, certain infections, and a history of wrist injuries can all contribute to the likelihood of developing wrist tendonitis.

When Should I Visit A Wrist Specialist?

Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you experience the following:

• Difficulty moving the wrist, hand, or fingers
• Severe or sudden pain in the wrist, fingers, or hand
• Unable to grab objects or make a fist
• Dropping objects accidentally when holding them
• Swelling or discoloration on the skin around the wrist

Expert Wrist Specialist Near Me

Wrist tendonitis can make life more difficult than it needs to be. A wrist specialist can help by alleviating symptoms and teaching you ways to prevent wrist tendonitis in the future. The sooner you get treatment for wrist tendonitis, the earlier you can get back to living the life you deserve!

Here at Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, you can rest assured that we provide quality health care. Our team is composed of seasoned healthcare professionals who will ensure that you get the best treatment suited for your needs.

Ready to start your journey? Call us today at (561) 733-5888 or use our convenient online appointment form. We’re excited to get you back on track!