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I Have Rather Severe Wrist Pain , It Has Come
Question: I have rather severe wrist pain, it has come on very quickly....on the top of my wrist on my left hand primarily, and one the side where the thick part of the thumb meets the wrist on the right side primarily.Shooting pain at certain movements...weakness of coure.
Brief Answer:
De Quervain tenosinovitis is likely- further details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
Pain on the wrist, at the area the thumb meets the wrist may be caused by De Quervain tendinitis. This is an inflammation of the tendon that goes from the arm to the thumb and is responsible for thumb movements.
Repetitive movements may be the cause.
In this case, you may take ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food (to protect your stomach) and try to limit the movements of the wrist (sometimes splints are needed). It is very important to limit movements that may have caused the pain.
If this is not helping enough physiotherapy, immobilization for 4-6 weeks and local steroid injection may be needed.
Finally, if you have fallen on an open hand (outstretched hand), you will first need an x-ray to rule out scaphoid bone fracture (a small bone in the wrist).
To conclude:
- if you have fallen recently on an outstretched hand you will need an x-ray to rule out a scaphoid bone fracture
- if you have not had such a fall then de Quervain tenosynovitis is likely and treatment, as explained above, may be tried.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal if further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
De Quervain tenosinovitis is likely- further details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
Pain on the wrist, at the area the thumb meets the wrist may be caused by De Quervain tendinitis. This is an inflammation of the tendon that goes from the arm to the thumb and is responsible for thumb movements.
Repetitive movements may be the cause.
In this case, you may take ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food (to protect your stomach) and try to limit the movements of the wrist (sometimes splints are needed). It is very important to limit movements that may have caused the pain.
If this is not helping enough physiotherapy, immobilization for 4-6 weeks and local steroid injection may be needed.
Finally, if you have fallen on an open hand (outstretched hand), you will first need an x-ray to rule out scaphoid bone fracture (a small bone in the wrist).
To conclude:
- if you have fallen recently on an outstretched hand you will need an x-ray to rule out a scaphoid bone fracture
- if you have not had such a fall then de Quervain tenosynovitis is likely and treatment, as explained above, may be tried.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal if further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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