Treatment of wrist joint pain

Treatment for wrist pain depends on the cause of the pain. Therefore, there is no generally accepted method that can relieve pain in every case of discomfort in the wrist joints.

First of all, specialists resort to diagnostics to identify the initial cause of pain. Here are the symptoms of certain diseases that may be responsible for the appearance of discomfort in the wrist joint:

• De Quervain's disease (tendonitis) manifests itself in painful sensations that affect the area of the styloid process, which is located on the radius bone. Its location is the lateral surface of the hand, which is located on the side of the thumb. Unpleasant sensations are more pronounced when moving the hand and thumb. Sometimes the pain appears at night, and begins to radiate to the hand and forearm. When palpated by a doctor, the patient begins to experience painful sensations in the area of the styloid process. The affected area of the joint is characterized by the presence of some swelling.
• This disease is also characterized by the Finkelstein symptom. This phenomenon is expressed as follows. You need to press the thumb to the surface of the palm, and put the rest of the fingers on top of it (clench everything into a fist). If in this position you move the hand to the elbow, a sharp pain will appear.
• The symptoms are the same as those of de Quervain's disease. Only Finkelstein's symptom is excluded.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome manifests itself in pain that spreads across the surface of the palm of the wrist. At the same time, there are sensations of numbness, tingling, and pain that spreads to the four fingers of the hand. The fingers that are controlled by the median nerve are affected. They can all hurt at once or from one to three. At the very beginning, the sensations in the finger area may be inconstant, but soon they are replaced by regular pain. Moreover, these painful sensations may intensify at night.
• Arthritis is manifested by the presence of severe pain in the joint, as well as the appearance of swelling in the joint area and the occurrence of a feeling of stiffness in the joint.
• Arthrosis manifests itself in decreased mobility of the affected joint, which occurs due to deformation of the cartilage. Arthrosis is also characterized by the presence of pain in the area of the joint itself.
• Bursitis is characterized by the appearance of severe pain in the joint area, which accompanies the inflammatory process in the joint capsule.
• Hygromas are characterized by painful sensations in the joint area, as well as the appearance of an externally visible tumor, which looks aesthetically unsightly. Also, with hygromas, the mobility of the joint is impaired due to a benign tumor interfering with movement.
• Periarthritis is characterized by the presence of pain in the area of the affected wrist joint.
• Dislocations manifest themselves as sharp pain during movement, as well as the appearance of swelling in the affected area and some redness of the skin in this place.

Experts offer the following treatment methods:

• For de Quervain's disease (tendonitis).

It is necessary to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include Voltaren, Nimesil and others. In this group of drugs, there are those that need to be taken internally and those that need to be used locally.

It is also recommended to resort to physiotherapy. In addition, doctors advise to keep the arm and hand at rest until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.

A blockade using Diprospan or Kenalogom has proven itself to be effective.

• For styloiditis.

The same methods are used as for de Quervain's disease.

• For carpal tunnel syndrome.

When treating this problem, it is necessary to consult a neurologist and jointly prescribe treatment together with a surgeon or traumatologist, to whom the patient will (most likely) turn.

Traditionally, specialists prescribe drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect. These include such drugs as Voltaren, Movalis and others. Drugs that relieve inflammation must be taken orally and used locally when applied externally. Injections of B vitamins and nicotinic acid are also recommended. Physiotherapy procedures are very helpful. A blockade using Diprospan is also effective.

The above methods of conservative therapy are good only at the initial stages of the disease. In advanced cases of the joint, surgical intervention is used - the compressing nerve, which is placed in the fibrous ring, is cut.

• For arthritis.

The methods suggested by specialists depend on the cause of the disease. Acute arthritis requires the use of non-steroidal drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect, which is contraindicated in purulent arthritis. It is recommended to resort to the use of Voltaren, Movalis, Celebrex and other similar drugs. Sometimes, when there are indications for this, specialists recommend resorting to a blockade using glucocorticoid hormones - Diprospan and Kenalog. Sometimes other symptomatic treatment is used depending on the cause of arthritis.

• For arthrosis.

First of all, damaged cartilaginous tissues in arthrosis need to be saturated with the substances they need – chondroprotectors. These drugs help synthesize chondroitin, which is very necessary for restoring the structure of cartilage.

In addition, the damaged joint needs to restore mobility in the bones that articulate in the wrist joint. For such purposes, one of the methods of manual therapy is used - the mobilization method. Three or four sessions are enough to restore joint mobility.

Then the diseased joint needs to restore blood circulation in order to intensify metabolic processes in it. Physiotherapy methods are suitable for this purpose - therapeutic mud, the use of ozokerite and paraffin therapy, compress sessions with bischofite or medical bile. Massages and self-massages with ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect will be good. Laser therapy, magnetic therapy and electrophoresis are also suitable.

In severe cases of arthrosis, it is recommended to use injections with hyaluronic acid directly into the affected joint. Three to five sessions of using hyaluronic acid derivatives give the effect of restoring the joint structure by seventy to eighty percent.

However, in case of arthrosis, it is recommended to conduct complex treatment: with the help of chondroprotectors, manual therapy, procedures that improve blood circulation in the joint and injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives. Such treatment is characterized by the greatest efficiency and lasting results.

• For bursitis.

Conservative treatment with drug therapy is recommended, as well as keeping the affected joint at rest. Sometimes specialists resort to punctures of exudate with subsequent infusion of antibacterial and other drugs into the resulting cavity. Physiotherapy procedures are also useful. If conservative treatment is ineffective, doctors use surgical intervention methods. Shock wave therapy can also be used instead of surgery. This method is an excellent analogue of surgery, but also prevents relapses of the disease.

• For hygromas.

In this disease, it is recommended to use conservative and surgical treatment methods. Conservative methods include medication and physiotherapy.

The most well-known method is a puncture of the hygroma or its puncturing with a syringe. Everything inside the hygroma is sucked out, and synthetic steroid hormones are introduced into the resulting cavity, for example, Diprospan, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. If the hygroma is infected, then antibacterial drugs such as Neomycin and Amicil are introduced into the cavity.

It is also useful to use ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect, such as Diclac gel or Fastum gel. Of the physiotherapeutic procedures, it is recommended to resort to magnetic therapy, phonophoresis with hydrocortisone, paraffin therapy and ozokerite.

Surgical intervention is considered the most effective. Because when using conservative therapy, there is a high probability of relapse.

The operation to remove the hygroma is performed under local anesthesia using the enucleation method, in which the hygroma is removed simultaneously with the capsule in which it is located. In this case, the likelihood of relapse is reduced to almost zero.

Laser surgery can also be used to remove hygromas. This reduces pain, blood loss, and accelerates wound healing.

• In case of dislocations.

Dislocations are treated primarily by pain relief and adjustment of the joint bones. In each specific case, the method of action is determined by the data from the X-ray image. Then a plaster cast is applied to the dislocation site. And after the plaster is removed, physiotherapy, methods of therapeutic exercise and mechanotherapy are recommended.

Treating wrist pain with medication

Of course, not only physiotherapy and other methods can improve the situation with this unpleasant symptom. Treatment of pain in the wrist joint with drugs is a traditional method of combating the diseases that caused it.

So, let's list all the medications that are used for the main diseases that cause pain in the joint:

• Voltaren,
• Nimesil,
• Diprospan,
• Kenalog,
• Neomycin,
• Amicil,
• Movalis,
• Celebrex,
• Kenalog.

In this case, the list of drugs is provided for informational purposes only. Because only a specialist can choose the right remedy and prescribe a course of treatment. And the doctor will resort to any recommendations only when he finally finds out the cause of joint pain and the underlying disease that needs to be treated.

Ointments for wrist pain

For pain in the joints of the hand, experts recommend using various external agents with an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, many of these agents have a mild analgesic effect.

Ointments for pain in the wrist joint are represented by the following names:

• Voltaren Emulgel.

This medicine is prescribed for bursitis, arthritis, periarthritis, tendinitis and other diseases with rheumatic manifestations in soft tissues. The gel is good for use with symptoms such as pain syndromes, swelling, inflammatory processes that were provoked by injuries affecting ligaments, tendons - dislocations, sprains and hematomas. The medicine is also suitable for the treatment of injuries received in sports.

It is recommended to use the ointment for adults and children over twelve years of age. The product is applied to dry, clean skin in a thin layer three to four times a day. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician, but not more than three weeks.

• Fastum gel.

This ointment is prescribed by specialists for pain syndrome caused by bruises, dislocations, injuries and sprains in the joints.

It is recommended to use Fastum gel from one to two hours a day by rubbing a small amount of gel in a thin layer on the desired area of the skin. It is necessary to rub the ointment into the skin until the gel is completely absorbed. The course of treatment is prescribed by a specialist, but on average this period is up to ten days.

• Dolgit - gel or cream.

This medication is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic for joint diseases that are accompanied by inflammatory processes and severe pain. The drug is useful for arthritis, osteoarthrosis with a deforming nature, bursitis and tendonitis.

Dolgit gel is applied to cleansed skin and rubbed into the required area of the skin with light movements. It is not recommended to apply the gel to an occlusive dressing. Avoid getting the gel on the mucous membranes in the eyes. Also, do not rub the gel onto damaged skin. After using it, wash your hands thoroughly. The gel is used three to four times a day for adults and adolescents. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician. Exactly the same recommendations apply to Dolgit cream.

• Diclac gel.

Used in the treatment of inflammatory processes and relief of swelling caused by rheumatoid processes in the joints of the hand, namely tendovaginitis, tendinitis, arthritis. Also good for arthrosis of the joints. Used for household, sports and industrial injuries - bruises, sprains and swelling.

The method of applying the gel is as follows: apply a thin layer of ointment two or three times a day to the affected area. The course of treatment is from ten days to two weeks.

Folk remedies for wrist pain

Not only medications can help get rid of wrist pain. There are folk medicine methods that can help cope with this problem.

Methods of healing from tendovaginitis (or de Quervain's disease).

• Folk ointment:
  • take dried calendula flowers and baby cream, all in equal proportions,
  • the ingredients are thoroughly mixed,
  • The ointment is applied to a large area, more than covering the painful area, covered with a fixing bandage and left overnight.
• Infusion with anti-inflammatory effect No. 1:
  • take a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers and pour a glass of boiling water over it,
  • the infusion is left to brew for half an hour in a thermos,
  • after which you can drink it three times a day, half a glass at a time,
  • The course of treatment is fourteen days.
• Infusion with anti-inflammatory effect No. 2:
  • You need to do the same thing, only instead of chamomile it is recommended to take St. John's wort.

Methods of healing arthrosis.

• Compress using oat flakes:
  • you need to take three tablespoons of flakes and pour them with two glasses of water,
  • after which everything is boiled for ten minutes,
  • the mixture is cooled to a warm temperature and then applied as a compress to the affected area,
  • The procedure lasts one hour, after which the compress can be removed.

Arthritis Healing Methods.

• Health drink:
  • you need to prepare one tablespoon of olive oil (it is important that the oil is of high quality), half a teaspoon of grated fresh garlic and one glass of boiling water,
  • all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the drink is ready to drink,
  • The healing remedy is taken twice a day until the pain in the joint disappears.

Methods of therapy for sprains.

• Compress with lemon and garlic juice:
  • an equal amount of garlic juice and lemon juice is squeezed out, after which the liquids are mixed,
  • take gauze and soak it in the resulting mixture,
  • The cloth is applied to the affected area and held until it reaches the same temperature as the skin.
• Salt compress with flour:
  • the ingredients are taken in equal proportions, after which, using a small amount of water, a dough of a stiff consistency is kneaded,
  • then the dough is kneaded well and rolled into strips,
  • The affected area is wrapped with the resulting strips, a cloth bandage made of woolen threads is placed on top, and everything is left for the night's sleep.

Methods of healing from osteoarthritis.

• Alcohol tincture with hot pepper:
  • take three or four pods of hot red pepper (it can be used either dried or fresh),
  • the alcohol needs to be diluted to the consistency of vodka and then take half a liter of liquid,
  • the pepper is filled with liquid and left for ten days in a cool, dark place,
  • After which, the resulting potion should be used to regularly rub the affected joint.
• Herbal infusion:
  • you need to stock up on elecampane root - two parts, dill seeds - one part, chamomile flowers - one part, poplar buds - two parts, nettle leaves - two parts, birch buds - three parts and mint leaves - one part,
  • all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed, and two tablespoons of the resulting mixture are taken and brewed with one liter of boiling water,
  • then the infusion is poured into a thermos and left overnight,
  • after which the resulting drink is taken five times a day, half a glass at a time,
  • The course of treatment lasts from two to three months.

Methods of healing hygroma.

• Compress with wine vinegar and eggs:
  • fifty grams of wine vinegar is mixed with one raw egg,
  • The fabric is dipped into the mixture and applied to the location of the hygroma.
• Horse chestnut fruit compress:
  • six chestnuts are chopped using a meat grinder or blender,
  • the prepared gruel is applied to the hygroma, covered with gauze and left alone for a couple of hours,
  • After the compress is removed, the sore spot is lubricated with iodine.

Methods of healing from bruises.

• Wormwood compress:
  • the raw materials must be crushed until a homogeneous mass is obtained,
  • The resulting mass is applied in a thick layer to the desired area of skin, and a bandage is placed on top of it.
• Onion compress:
  • the onion is grated and the juice is squeezed out of the mass,
  • take gauze, thoroughly soak it in juice and apply it to the site of the injury.

Methods of healing periarthritis.

• Herbal infusion for rubbing:
  • take equal parts of plantain leaves, peppermint, burdock, and chamomile flowers,
  • everything is thoroughly mixed and brewed at the rate of four tablespoons per liter of water,
  • The infusion is left for several hours, and then the affected area is rubbed with this liquid using light movements.
• Calendula tincture in alcohol:
  • you need to stock up on fifty grams of calendula flowers and pour the raw material with half a liter of vodka (or spit diluted to forty degrees),
  • the infusion is left for half a month in a cool, dark place,
  • After this period, the resulting product should be used to rub the sore spots.

Healing inflammatory processes.

• Tincture on alcohol with aloe leaves:
  • First you need to prepare crushed aloe leaves and vodka in equal quantities,
  • the ingredients are mixed well and left to infuse for seven days, placed in a cool and dark place,
  • After the specified period, the prepared tincture is rubbed onto the surface of the skin over the affected joint.
• Baths using essential oils:
  • take warm water in sufficient quantity and dilute essential oils with anti-inflammatory action in it - eucalyptus, calendula, St. John's wort and sandalwood are suitable for these purposes,
  • after which the sore wrist is lowered into water for ten or fifteen minutes.

Methods for healing edema.

• Compress with alcoholic furacilin:
  • take a pharmacy infusion of furacilin and dilute it with alcohol in a one to one ratio,
  • The resulting solution is used to soak gauze, and compresses are applied to the affected joint overnight.
• Baths using a decoction of comfrey:
  • a cut twig of comfrey is poured with one liter of water,
  • after which everything is put on the fire and boiled until half of the water disappears from the container,
  • then the wrist is dipped into the warm solution and kept in it for twenty minutes.

Universal methods for healing wrist pain.

Herbal gruel with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect:

• to prepare it, stock up on chamomile flowers - two parts, sweet clover herb - two parts, marshmallow leaves - one part,
• then all the ingredients are mixed, and boiling water is added to the herbal mass, but in such a quantity that a gruel is formed,
• After this, the resulting mass is applied to the affected joint.

Herbal collection:

• In equal parts you need to take juniper berries, birch buds, horsetail grass, St. John's wort flowers and lingonberry leaves,
• all ingredients are chopped and mixed thoroughly,
• a tablespoon of the mixture is poured with one glass of boiling water and left to infuse (it is best to do this in a thermos),
• after two hours, the infusion is taken orally in the amount of half a glass three times a day before meals,
• The course of treatment should be one and a half months.

Folk treatment of wrist pain is, of course, not a panacea, but an auxiliary means in a comprehensive approach to the problem. In any case, self-diagnosis and self-treatment are not recommended by specialists. Due to the fact that a person can confuse the cause of the disease and only worsen the state of his own health.

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Prevention of wrist pain

Of course, it is impossible to foresee all situations in which the wrist joint may suffer. But it is possible and necessary to help prevent some health problems.

Prevention of wrist pain occurs as follows:

• First of all, it is necessary to refrain from excessive physical stress on the body and specifically on the joints of the hand. You should not carry weights and constantly engage in physical work associated with carrying loads.
• In a forced situation of carrying heavy loads, protective elastic bandages should be put on the wrist area. They will help reduce the load on the joint and prevent damage and stretching of the tendons.
• Proper nutrition is also important. Since some problems with the joints of the hand are associated with systemic diseases of the body. Which arise when a healthy lifestyle is violated, including when the diet is violated.

It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain porridge, salads with a small amount of salt and unrefined vegetable oil every day. It is also good to remember about seeds (especially flax seeds) and nuts, sprouted wheat and greens. Fish and sometimes lean meat are also important. Honey and other bee products are also useful. As drinks, it is worth using infusions of medicinal herbs, fruit drinks without added sugar, infusions of dried fruits and compotes. Periodically, you can treat yourself to fermented milk products, natural cheeses and yogurt.

It is recommended to limit, and sometimes even completely eliminate, sugar and salt, flour and bakery products, all products with preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers. Food should be natural, fresh and organic.

• When working constantly with a load on the wrist joint, it is necessary to periodically perform gymnastics for the joints of the hand during the day. This will help to avoid occupational diseases of these joints.
• It is important to remember about the correct distribution of work and rest during the day.
• Smoking and alcohol abuse also lead to metabolic disorders that affect the deformations that occur in the wrist joint. Therefore, it is recommended to give up these excesses. Especially for those people who have a hereditary tendency to arthritis, arthrosis and other systemic diseases.

Pain in the wrist joint has many causes. Therefore, if you feel this unpleasant symptom, you need to contact a specialist and undergo a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of the pain.