Wrist Tendonitis: Coping With The Injury And Preventing A Recurrence

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Wrist Tendonitis: Coping With The Injury And Preventing A Recurrence

Sunday, May 20th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

A few years ago, when I was attending a marketing class, I had to stop writing, because my arm hurt too much - it felt just like a throbbing toothache. By the next day, my entire forearm was red and swollen. I went to a doctor, then a physiotherapist, and learned I had wrist tendonitis, which is also known as tenosynovitis.

Wrist tendonitis is a common form of RSI (repetitive strain injury), and it’s very prevalent and painful among people who use computers, as well as athletes, and anyone who performs the same tasks every day. Tendons join your muscles to your bones, and there are many tendons in your wrists.

Tendonitis occurs when the tendons become inflamed, and with wrist tendonitis usually only one tendon is inflamed, however two or more may be involved.

What To Do If You Have Wrist Tendonitis

As a first step, go and see your doctor for a definite diagnosis. Your doctor may send you for physiotherapy, or he may give you some exercises to do. He will recommend that you rest your injury, and this is vital.

However, it’s impossible to rest your wrists completely. You need your hands and arms for everything you do. So if the pain’s very bad, use a wrist splint for a few days, until the inflammation subsides. Wrist splints are widely available. The splint supports your wrist while the tendon recovers.

I’ve found that icing is very effective. Whenever I get a recurrence, I ice my wrist by wrapping an ice bag around my wrist and forearm for a few minutes every hour or so. This definitely helps, and the swelling goes down sooner than it does without treatment.

Once the swelling and pain are gone - this usually takes a few days - start exercising your shoulders, arms and wrists.

Wrist Exercises - Try Hand Weights And Yoga

You should use the exercises your therapist has given you, because everyone’s different. However, I’ve found that weight lifting with small hand weights works for me. I use the hand weights every day. I also do some yoga stretches every day. I’m convinced that this combination keeps my tendonitis at bay.

Staying Pain Free With Wrist Tendonitis

Most wrist tendonitis injuries are completely treatable with rest and exercise. I know that as long as I remember to do my stretching and weight lifting exercises, wrist tendonitis stays away. If I’m foolish enough to forget to do my exercises, it returns.

So if you’re currently suffering wrist tendonitis, try the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation), then be sure to do your exercises every day, and you never need to have a recurrence.

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