Wrist The wrist is a vulnerable joint as it is highly used in everyday life. It is constructed by several small bones and ligaments and surrounded by many tendons. The two most common injuries of the wrist are the tendinopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tendinopathy

Tendinopathy is an inflammation or degeneration in the tendon. It is usually caused by overuse. All jobs, hobbies which require repeated movement in long term may produce irritation in the tendon what ends up in inflammation and pain. That is why it is common among housewifes, musicians, people working on computer. Because of the inflammation the flexibility of the tendon is decreased, movements are painful and stiff, it highly effects everyday life.

Symptoms of tendinopathy:

• in initial period pain occures at night, then later on during the day too
• sharp pain for wrist movements
• wrist stiffness
• loss of strength in the hand (grasping)
• crackling noise during wrist movements

The sooner we start the treatment the higher chance we have for rapid recovery. It is important not to force even more the injured area. The first step is to reduce inflammation, then mobiise tendons and periferial nerve, finally strengthen the surrounding muscles to prevent recurrence.

Treatment of tendinopathy:

• resting
• kinesio tape (for stabilisation and miscle relaxation)
• ultrasound and electrotherapy
• mobilisation of upper extremity, tendons and periferial nerves
• learn ergonometrics for everyday life (posture, positioning of extremity and ofice set-up)
• stretching and strengthening of muscles to achieve muscle balance, joint stability and capacity

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is due to the compression of the median nerve, causing pain, numbness and tingling in the thumb, index and middle finger and the thumb side of the ring finger. Muscles which are innervated by this nerve may get weaker causing loss of hand function. The cause in many cases is repetitive movement (typing, playing an instrument), overuse of wrist or trauma.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• burning pain in the wrist and hand
• numbness, tingling mostly in the thumb, index and middle finger
• decreased grip strength
• loss in hand control (problems with gentle movements)

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• resting
• kinesio tape (for stabilisation and muscle relaxation)
• ultrasound and electrotherapy
• soft tissue massage, fascia techniques
• mobilisation of upper extremity and periferial nerve
• learn ergonometrics for everyday life (posture, positioning of extremity and office set-up)
• stretching and strengthening