Wrist Pain
Conditions / Wrist Pain
Wrist pain is a common overuse injury affecting active adults. The good news is these wrist injuries can improve without the need for drugs or surgery. However, it is important to rule out fractures when pain is the result of trauma. Trauma is often the result of falling on the outstretched hand, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries
Common Wrist Pain Diagnoses
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- De Quervains Tenosynovitis
- Intersection syndrome
- Scaphoid Fractures
- Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Injury
What is causing your wrist pain?
Two common wrist pain diagnoses that have some overlap in symptoms and presentation are De Quervains Tenosynovitis and Intersection Syndrome. These are common conditions that present in our Omaha sports chiropractic clinic.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The most common source of wrist pain presenting to our Omaha sports chiropractic clinic is carpal tunnel syndrome. We have covered this extensively in other blogs and YouTube videos. If your wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome, check out those resources.
De Quervains Tenosynovitis
Activities that involve lots of gripping or repetitive use of the thumb and wrist can result in irritation of the tendons at the base of the thumb. De Quervains is a common cause of thumb-sided wrist pain.
The population most affected by De Quervains are middle-aged females. Our clinic commonly sees active mothers as being more susceptible to De Quervains given the repetitive nature of caring for young kids.
Intersection Syndrome
Intersection syndrome is common is athletes and active individuals. Repetitive flexion and extension of the wrist from activities like skiing, weightlifting, rowing, and racquet sports can result in intersection syndrome which is the result of friction between the muscles of the forearm and tendons of the wrist.
A key sign is pain location and crepitus of the wrist. Crepitus is the sensation of popping and this arises from the tendons of the wrist gliding over each other. Crepitus is more common with pronation of the hand and wrist, which is the motion of turning the palm down.
Our sports chiropractic approach can diagnose this condition and guide return to activity. Treatment includes activity modification, technique discussions, taping, and mobilization to the wrist and shoulder
Fall on the outstretch Hand (FOOSH Injuries)
Falls on the outstretched hand or FOOSH injuries can result in fractures in the wrist. Dr. Peters is skilled in the diagnosis of these conditions and can place an appropriate referral for imaging and recommend a quality orthopedic surgeon for management.
Scaphoid fracture – Thumb sided wrist pain
Pain inside the “anatomical snuffbox” after a fall on the outstretch hand is considered a fracture until proven otherwise. Due to poor blood supply to the scaphoid, it is important to detect these fractures early to provide the best possible outcome.
Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injury – pain on the pinky side of the wrist after a fall or compression injury can result in irritation of the cartilage between the wrist and the hand. This is more likely to be injured in patients with a positive ulnar variance and can be stubborn to rehab