Wrist pain is pretty common, but how do you tell if it's serious or if you should just wait it out? The truth is, some cases of wrist pain will go away on their own with a bit of rest. But in some people, not being treated right away can lead to long-term irreversible damage.
If you're experiencing wrist pain, you may be worried about what it means. You may even be wondering if it will interfere with your life. Wrist pain can affect everyone differently—however, it is important to understand the common signs of wrist injuries because they can develop into more serious problems. That's why you should get it checked out by our Manhattan pain management specialist.
This blog goes over the common types of wrist pain and what will happen if left untreated. This is all information you can use, especially if you find yourself wondering: What do you do if your wrist pain won't go away? How will it affect your future? and more.
Wrist Pain Is Caused By Many Factors
The wrist is made up of eight small bones and multiple tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It's a complex structure that allows you to bend, rotate and extend your wrist. However, when any one of these structures is injured or damaged, it can cause pain in your wrist.
A sprain or strain is the most common type of wrist injury. These are injuries to the ligaments or tendons (called soft tissue) that surround the joint. A sprain is caused when an outside force stretches or tears a ligament. A strain occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn.
Injury can happen from falls, sports injuries, or car accidents, while overuse can result from repetitive motions such as typing at a keyboard or playing tennis.
If you have constant pain in your wrist and hand, it's important to book an appointment with a pain specialist right away. The longer you wait before seeking treatment, the more likely it is that your condition will worsen. Without treatment, there's a risk that your condition could become chronic or even cause permanent damage.
Untreated Wrist Pain Can Significantly Affect Your Life
The wrist is a complex but flexible joint that allows for a wide range of motion. As a result, when the wrist is injured or becomes inflamed, it can be painful and difficult to use. And if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the median nerve in your arm as it passes through your wrist, you may develop numbness or tingling in your fingers.
According to research, wrist pain is the second most common cause of musculoskeletal disability. It may occur in one or both wrists, forearms, or hands. As your wrist becomes inflamed, it becomes more difficult to move your hand in any direction without experiencing discomfort. In addition, your hand might feel stiffer than usual while moving through its full range of motion. Here are some of the potential consequences of not treating wrist pain:
You can develop further injury in the wrist
If you have been injuring your wrist repeatedly over time, there is a possibility that you could develop further problems with your joints. For example, if you have been experiencing wrist pain following repetitive use such as typing or writing out reports at work, then this could cause inflammation of the tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint. This inflammation can lead to further damage in the long run and increase the severity of your condition, which could cause more serious issues later on.
The best way to tell if you have a sprain or strain is by how severe the pain is and how much swelling you have around the area. But if left untreated, wrist pain can lead to more severe problems that make the pain worse, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common types of wrist pain. It occurs when the median nerve running through the carpal tunnel becomes compressed or irritated. This creates tingling or numbness in your fingers and thumb, as well as weakness in those digits.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes swelling and stiffness in the joints. It occurs most often in older adults but can also occur in younger people with certain health conditions. Wrist arthritis can make simple tasks like opening a door difficult without causing significant pain at rest.
You will lose strength in your hand and arm muscles
When you experience wrist pain, it is likely that the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones of your fingers are affected by this condition. As a result, you may experience weakness in your hands which makes it difficult to hold items or perform simple tasks like typing on a keyboard or holding the steering wheel while driving.
In some cases, untreated wrist injury can lead to permanent disability in one or both hands. People who suffer from this type of disability may need assistance from others just to get through their daily routine tasks, such as driving or getting dressed each day.
If you have wrist pain, you should seek medical attention right away. It can be caused by many different things — including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or even a broken bone. Without treatment, you may lose movement in your wrists.
You'll have difficulty performing activities of daily living with pain
You might not be able to raise your arm above shoulder level or turn your palm upward or downward, which can make it difficult to perform activities of daily living or do routine tasks around the house, like eating and sleeping.
It can be devastating for your overall well-being. If you are suffering from wrist pain, it is important to see a pain doctor as soon as possible. The longer you wait to get help, the more likely you will lose movement in your wrists. In addition, the longer it takes to treat your wrist problem, the more difficult it will be for you to recover completely.
You'll also have trouble sleeping because of the pain
Depending on the cause of your wrist pain, you may experience swelling, redness, or deformity. The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are often more noticeable at night when it's harder for you to move your hands around. The pain could be worse at night when you lie down and relax. This can lead to more serious problems, such as depression and anxiety, which will make matters worse.
You'll have trouble with your work productivity
If you spend most of your day typing or using machinery like a computer mouse, then it's important to take care of your wrists. Wrist injuries can cause inflammation, which causes swelling and stiffness in the joints. When this happens, you might experience pain while working or performing tasks that require repetitive movements with your hands and fingers. If you're unable to perform basic tasks because of the pain in your wrist, you may end up losing your job altogether.
You can't play your favorite sport anymore
Wrist pain can alter your grip strength, and if it's not being treated, it's going to be hard for you to do the things that you love, like playing your favorite sport. For example, if you're a tennis player and have pain in your wrist while playing, you may not be able to serve or return serves properly. If you're a baseball pitcher with a sore elbow and forearm, this could mean that you have trouble throwing hard enough to get batters out. And if you're a golfer with arthritis in your hands and wrists, it may be impossible for you to grip the club properly when putting or hitting off the tee.
If you're an athlete, it's important for you to treat any injury so that you don't miss out on playing time or risk further injury. It's important to see a pain specialist to recommend treatments for the pain and inflammation caused by your condition so that you can continue playing without any problems.
Seeking Treatment for Wrist Pain
Chronic wrist pain is not just a nuisance but also has the potential to become disabling if left untreated. If you have wrist pain and experience any of these symptoms, see a pain physician immediately:
A constant feeling of weakness when lifting objects
Numbness or tingling in the fingers
Severe swelling in the hand or arm
An inability to move your fingers
Pain when turning your palm up or down
Wrist pain can be debilitating, causing discomfort and pain that makes it difficult to perform daily activities. If you're experiencing wrist pain, take the first step right now and make an appointment with a doctor.
Seeking treatment for wrist pain can help you get back to normal activities and prevent further damage to your wrist joint. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid some of the worst outcomes and avoid further complications down the road.
There are a variety of treatments that can be done to alleviate your pain. And by understanding the causes and symptoms of wrist pain will help determine how to treat it best.
You Don't Have to Let Untreated Wrist Pain Rule Your Life
If you have wrist pain that has not been diagnosed by a doctor, then you should have that resolved as soon as possible. Do not leave it untreated. Even simple wrist pain can lead to serious injury if left untreated for too long. Be proactive about your health, and start treating it now!
You shouldn't have to suffer from wrist pain; find a treatment approach that works for you and try to find some level of comfort where you can. Visit our Manhattan pain management center at your earliest convenience. Your arms and hands are very important, so make sure they are healthy. Call our pain experts today to get help and find out how they can help you solve your wrist problems.