So you are feeling a tinge of discomfort in your wrist. Wrist pain has many possible causes – it could be due to a fall, an accident, arthritis, or overuse. It could also be due to an underlying medical condition that affects the joints, such as the autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
In order to relieve wrist pain, it’s important to get to the root of the problem. Treating only the symptoms almost always guarantees that the pain will return.
The best course of treatment for your wrist pain will depend on whatever is causing it. For pain that lasts more than a few days or is getting worse, you need an accurate diagnosis by a doctor to receive treatment that works.
Let’s talk about some methods to relieve hand and wrist pain and who can help you get over the pain for good.
How to Get Relief from Wrist Pain
During the early stages of wrist pain, especially if it’s not preceded by an accident or a fall (in which you landed on your hands), you may use home treatment methods for pain relief – such as resting the area and heat therapy. At this point, you should observe your wrist and seek medical attention if the symptoms do not subside.
Some of the main ways to relieve wrist pain or wrist injury are the following:
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
You can take over-the-counter pain medication to reduce pain and discomfort symptoms, but long-term use of these is not recommended. If you find yourself reaching for pain medication even after a week, it is in your best interest to see a doctor. Too much consumption of nonprescription pain relievers can cause harm to your liver.
Immobilization
Wearing a splint and refraining from moving your wrist can also help relieve pain. If you’ve sustained an injury to your wrist due to overuse, such as while working or playing a sport, keep it immobilized for at least a week to allow the injured ligament or tendon to heal.
Symptoms should subside. If not, then your wrist injury merits a visit to a doctor.
Injections
An orthopedic doctor can perform pain-relief injections to provide lasting relief from your wrist pain. This special medicine goes right to the source of the pain, and the medication lasts much longer than oral therapies.
Hand Therapy
A hand therapist has advanced training in relieving wrist pain via physical manipulation, massage, temperature therapy, and stretching exercises. The therapist can teach you not just exercises but also methods to prevent reinjury, which includes an evaluation of your home and workplace ergonomic factors.
Hand therapists are qualified to evaluate and treat hand, wrist, and arm conditions and injuries, and they often work closely with physicians in ensuring your rehabilitation and healing.
Get Relief from Wrist Pain Now
If your wrist continues to bother you, have our hand specialists at South Palm Orthopedics diagnose your condition and address the root cause of your wrist pain. Our own Dr. Steve Meadows is highly trained in advanced hand surgeries and noninvasive pain treatments, and he will explain your options for ongoing pain relief.
To schedule a consultation with us, call South Palm Orthopedics today at (561) 496-6622 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We are conveniently located on Linton Boulevard near Military Trail in Delray Beach, and we look forward to seeing you here.
