Wrist Pain Management

Wrist pain can be caused by a number of different ailments, ranging from an injury to chronic medical conditions. Not only can continued wrist pain impact your ability to earn a living, it can also dramatically reduce your quality of life. Sometimes wrist pain seems more annoying than serious, but it should not be ignored for long. If you’ve been suffering from any type of pain in your wrist, you should be prepared for the long term effects it can cause if you are not careful to have it examined.

Arthritis can impact many areas of your body, but it is especially damaging when the afflicted area happens to be the wrist. Because arthritis worsens over time, you may eventually be unable to perform everyday tasks, such as preparing meals or opening a door. The good news is that wrist pain caused by arthritis is treatable with the help of a pain management specialist. Your specialist will perform tests and offer a treatment plan that will help reduce the pain caused by arthritis.

There are two different categories of injuries which can cause pain to the wrist. Sudden impacts are injuries where there is an unexpected trauma to your wrist, such as during a fall or in a car accident. The other type is repetitive stress injuries, which are caused by repetitive motion of your wrist over a long period of time.

There are many other conditions that can also affect the wrist. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a well-known condition that occurs when there is increased pressure to the delicate nerves within the wrist. More uncommon conditions, such as bone disorders and cysts, have also been known to cause discomfort.

Knowing the cause of your wrist pain is the first step to treating it. When it comes time to diagnose your pain, there are many methods that might be used. Below are some of the tests that are often used to diagnose the source of your pain:

X-rays: A very commonly used test, x-rays can determine if there is a fractured bone or the beginning of osteoarthritis.

CT: A CT scan or computed tomography scan can provide further detailed views of the bone and may show fractures otherwise not seen on x-rays.

MRI: Using radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed imagery of your hand and wrist, MRI tests are also used to rule out abnormalities.

Ultrasound: Often used to help visualize tendons, ligaments and cysts.

Arthroscopy: If a doctor is unable to diagnose the source of your pain with imaging, they will resort to Arthroscopy. It offers the chance to internally see the source of your wrist pain. A small incision is made and a pencil-sized scope is inserted into your wrist. The scope contains a tiny light and camera that projects the image of your wrist onto a T.V screen. It is possible not only to diagnose your pain, but for some injuries a doctor can even repair it on the spot.

Nerve test: An Electromyogram or EMG is ordered if carpal tunnel is suspected. This test will record the electrical activity in your wrist muscles, at rest and when contracted.

Treatments for wrist pain can range from stretching to surgery, depending on the severity of the issue. In most cases, if you are suffering from wrist pain, you can get the relief you need and get back to leading a more fulfilling life by visiting with a pain management doctor. The doctor can diagnose your symptoms and treat the pain accordingly.

Throughout the Phoenix Valley, Summa Pain Care Centers help people everyday manage their chronic pain, and wrist pain is no exception. We will thoroughly examine your health history, your current pain condition and work towards a manageable lifestyle. Our goal is to reduce or eliminate the amount of pain medications you are currently taking and work towards a medication free treatment plan. We may order some of the tests that are listed above and determine which therapies will relieve the most pain. Our staff is caring, attentive and will work with you at your pace.