How to treat wrist pain? Hand and wrist pain has become quite common due to various reasons brought about by modern life. These pains not only reduce the quality of daily life, but can also seriously affect work productivity. We aim to help you deal with this problem by providing comprehensive information about the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of hand and wrist pain.
The main causes of hand and wrist pain are as follows:
Imbalance in Joints and Ligaments: It occurs when the ligaments that hold the joints together and allow movement are overstretched, worn or damaged. This leads to instability in joint movements and calcification.
Chronic Use: Especially in modern high-tech society, chronic pain in the hands and wrists develops due to constant computer use and smartphone addiction. Repetitive movements of the upper extremities wear out the ligamentous support in the wrists and thumbs.
Sudden Injuries: Sudden injuries such as the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) can cause joint instability.
Occupational Causes: It is common among fine craftspeople, permanent knitters and those in occupations that require intensive use of hands.
Sport and Exercise: When joints are not strong enough, pain occurs, which is exacerbated by certain sports and exercises.
Symptoms of Hand and Wrist Pain
Symptoms of hand and wrist pain include:
Pain and stiffness: Pain and stiffness in the joints and ligaments.
Swelling and Edema: Swelling may be seen especially after acute injuries.
Movement Restriction: Movement limitation may occur due to instability in the joints.
Numbness and Tingling: Numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers may be felt due to nerve compression.
Diagnosis of Hand and Wrist Pain
Physical examination, patient history and various imaging techniques are used to diagnose hand and wrist pain. Imaging methods such as MRI and X-rays are used to identify the source of the pain. Nerve conduction tests can also be performed to detect nerve compression.
One of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed in a narrow passage in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is a narrow channel through which the median nerve and the tendons that give movement to the fingers pass. Narrowing of this canal or swelling of the tissues in it leads to compression of the nerve and thus pain, numbness and loss of strength.
Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Numbness and Tingling: Numbness and tingling, especially in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and half of the ring finger.
Pain: Pain that increases at night and radiates from the wrist to the fingers.
Power Loss: Weakness in hand muscles and impaired fine motor skills.
Feeling of swelling in the fingers: Although there is a feeling of swelling in the fingers, there is no visible swelling.
Wrist stiffness: Limitation of movement and feeling of stiffness in the wrist.
Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by various factors:
Repetitive Hand and Wrist Movements: Activities that require constant use of the hand and wrist, such as constant computer use, knitting, sewing.
Traumas and Injuries: Trauma or fractures of the wrist.
Pregnancy and Hormonal Changes: Swelling of the tissues in the carpal tunnel as a result of water retention in the body during pregnancy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Conditions: Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Genetic Factors: Genetic predispositions such as structural stenosis of the carpal tunnel.
Wrist Pain Treatment
Various methods can be used to treat hand and wrist pain. Treatment is determined depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Here are the methods commonly used to treat hand and wrist pain:
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is a treatment that promotes the healing of damaged tissues. This treatment strengthens the connective and muscular tissues in the hand and wrist area and relieves pain. Prolotherapy is performed through injections of dextrose (sugar serum) into the damaged tissues, which triggers the body’s natural healing process.
Low Dose Dextrose
Low-dose dextrose injections are used in nerve compression conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Dextrose has the properties of repairing and nourishing the nerve tissue and loosening the pinched area. In this way, many patients can recover without the need for surgery.
PRP treatment involves the injection of platelets from the patient’s own blood into the damaged area. Platelets are rich in growth factors and accelerate the healing of damaged tissues. PRP treatment is a very effective method in the treatment of hand and wrist pain.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid injections are used to mobilize the joint and relieve pain. These injections increase the viscosity of the joint fluid, allowing the joints to move more freely.
Exercise for Hand and Wrist Pain
Exercise is very important in the treatment of wrist pain. Patients are given simple but effective exercises that they can do at home. These recommendations ensure maximum and permanent recovery.
Hand and wrist pain is a common problem that negatively affects quality of life. With the right diagnosis and treatment methods, these pains can be alleviated and the healing process can be accelerated. Treatment methods such as prolotherapy, low dose dextrose, PRP and hyaluronic acid injections offer effective solutions depending on the cause of hand and wrist pain. In addition, regular exercise and proper nutrition play an important role in the prevention and treatment of hand and wrist pain. It is important that people with hand and wrist pain complaints consult a specialist physician to determine the most appropriate treatment method.
