Repetitive movements can really take a toll on the tendons – the fibrous, sinewy cords of collagen tissue that surround the muscles, attaching them to nearby bone. From a mechanic using manpower to restore old cars day in and day out, to a tennis player who has amassed trophies (and injuries) from years of tough matches on the court, tendonitis strikes many different people but they all share some similar symptoms.
An overuse condition, tendonitis occurs as the wrist tendons – which connect the forearm muscles to the bones of the hand and fingers, rub over the bony area of the wrist. When tendons are doing their job, they glide seamlessly through small sheaths as they pass over the joint. A “lubricating” substance known as synovial fluid allows for this ease of movement. Healthy joints are also coated in synovium, a slippery outer layer of soft tissue. An injured wrist, however, can become inflamed, leading to a feeling of friction as one moves their wrist, or completes strenuous or repetitive motions.
Pain, swelling, warmth, dull aching, and grinding sensations are all indicators that tendonitis may be the source of your discomfort. One variety of wrist tendonitis, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, is marked by inflammation and pain at the base of the thumb. To diagnose this condition, your doctor may ask you to make a fist or try to grasp an object. Those with a “green thumb”, or penchant for gardening, and new mothers who are constantly lifting their baby, are prone to developing this condition. There are a variety of stretching maneuvers, including “Finkelstein’s test” (which targets the thumb, specifically) that your physician may employ to detect the root of pain. Diagnoses can leave some grey areas, as the X-rays of those with tendonitis will typically appear normal.
If you can’t move your wrist, have bruising, or are experiencing soreness while at rest – don’t ignore these symptoms. A torn or bleeding muscle can show itself in the form of a bruise; in this case, immobilization may be necessary to promote healing. It can be normal for athletes or those with strenuous jobs to feel a little soreness while they work or play; it’s when pain lingers before, during, and after the activity in question that extreme injury may be on the horizon. According to Women’s Health, post-pain soreness that lasts longer than two weeks (even after you’ve enjoyed some R&R) could be your body’s way of alerting you to a greater problem. Left untreated, wrist tendonitis can lead to more severe tendon injury and even breakage. Once this occurs, surgical interventions will be the only solution.
Luckily, there are many non-invasive techniques for remedying tendonitis of the wrist as well as preventing injury in the future. Immobilization or the use of a splint, can be helpful for repairing damaged tendons, while ice and anti-inflammatory medications can alleviate the swelling and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. Seek the advice of an expert in the sub-specialty of hand surgery. Have you tried hand therapy for your pain? Hand therapists utilize unique modes of healing including stretching and electrical stimulation to help guide healthy movement of the wrist. Whether your injury is work- or sports-related, Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder offers a host of procedures to provide some much-needed relief. For more information, call (410) 296-6232.
1Medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19089.
2Verywellhealth.com/wrist-tendonitis-2548611
3Orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/de-quervains-tendinosis/
4Mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371332
5Disabled-world.com/health/orthopedics/chronic-tendonitis.php
6Vitals.lifehacker.com/the-warning-signs-your-injury-is-serious-enough-you-sho-1787233616
