TENDONITIS OF THE WRIST

Tendonitis of the Wrist is when there is irritation and inflammation of the tendons around the wrist joint.  It can affect just one, or multiple tendons.

What to Look For

Tendonitis most often occurs from repetitive strain.  Tendons within the wrist slide within a sheath that has synovial fluid.  The goal of this is to minimize the amount of friction of the sheath on the tendon.

When the area gets injured or inflamed, the tendon sheath can enlarge placing more friction and pressure on the tendon.

From there, movement of that tendon through the sheath become tender, painful, and or weak. Tendonitis can take a few weeks up to a few months to heal on its own.

Any tendon in the wrist can be involved, it all simply depends on the specific tendons that are overused or injured.  Specific orthopedic tests can help to determine the specific tendon involved.

What to Do

  • Rest – Since the majority of tendonitis cases are caused by overuse, rest is a key component to allowing the inflammation near the tendon to decrease.  Without a break, the tendon will have a difficult time healing.
  • Braces – Braces can help to hold the wrist steady so you avoid performing tasks that will irritate the tendon.  Braces will restrict range of motion enough to give the tendon a chance to heal.
  • Ice – To reduce swelling, use ice directly on the area visible with swelling.  10-15 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times per day.
  • Anti-inflammatory diet  – Because tendonitis includes inflammation, having an anti-inflammatory diet will help control the level of inflammation in the body.  
  • See your Chiropractor/Doctor – Since there are so many different tendons in the wrist, it is critical to find out the specific tendon involved and why that tendon is irritated. Have your health professional find out for you, to increase your odds of fixing the problem.
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