Because of the heavy use of your hands, there may come a time when you experience pain in your wrists. There are many causes for wrist pain, from overuse to trauma, that can impact your tasks and lifestyle. Fortunately, wrist pain is easily treated by orthopedic doctors that specialize in upper extremity orthopedic care.
Below, we talk about the 3 most common injuries that cause wrist pain, and where you can go in Miami Lakes and Plantation to receive superior hand and wrist care.
#1 Sprains and Strains
A wrist sprain occurs when ligaments – the tough bands of tissue that connect bones to each other – become stretched or torn due to frequent twisting motions of the wrist. On the other hand, a wrist strain is an injury to muscles or tendons caused by overstretching them beyond their normal limits. Wrist strains can be caused by repetitive stress, overuse, or a lack of warmups and cool-downs before and after physical activities.
#2 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This common condition causes pain in the wrists and is caused by pressure placed on the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel, which is a narrow passageway formed by small bones in your hand. The most common cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive motions, such as typing on a computer, where constant pressure on the wrist causes irritation and inflammation. Over a period of time, these can also affect the median nerve, since the swelling and inflammation of the carpal tunnel narrows it and squeezes the nerve.
#3 Fractures
Wrist fractures are a common injury, particularly among athletes and the elderly. The most common cause of wrist fractures is falling onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH). This type of fall often occurs when people slip or trip on something, such as a curb or uneven pavement. It can also occur when someone falls from a height, such as off of a ladder or bike.
When someone falls onto an outstretched hand, the force generated by the impact can be enough to break one or more bones in the wrist. The most commonly fractured bone is called the scaphoid bone, which sits at the base of the thumb near the palm and wraps around it to connect with other bones in the forearm. Other bones that may be affected include those that make up your carpal tunnel – located on top of your wrist – as well as metacarpal bones that run along either side of it.
No matter what type of wrist injury you have sustained, it’s important that you seek medical attention right away, so a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be put into place. This will ensure the best possible outcome and prevent further damage from being done to your hand or wrist later on.
Hand and Wrist Surgeon in Miami Lakes and Plantation, FL
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tosca Kinchelow of The Orthopaedic Hand and Arm Center provides specialized care to patients suffering from wrist pain from injury. Dr. Kinchelow’s subspecialty is in hand surgery. She is trained in the latest procedures that can reduce pain and restore hand and wrist function. Moreover, Dr. Kinchelow uses a collaborative approach with her patients and applies compassion and respect to each interaction.
For relief from wrist pain, schedule an appointment today with Dr. Kinchelow. Call our office at (954) 635-5300 or use our convenient online request form.
