WRIST TENDONITIS (RSI)

ABOUT WRIST TENDONITIS (RSI)

Tendons are thick tissues that connect muscles to bones. When a muscle contracts, it moves the bones by pulling on a tendon. There are many tendons running from the elbow to the wrist and some of them move within a sheath called the synovium. The synovium helps the tendons to move smoothly without getting caught on other soft tissues. We can treat wrist tendonitis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop.

Tendonitis, or tendinopathy, is where a tendon can become inflamed and painful. Tenosynovitis is where the synovium or sheath becomes inflamed and hurts when the tendon moves through it. Tendonitis and tenosynovitis are common causes of wrist pain.

Wrist tendonitis is sometimes called repetitive strain injury (RSI) when common daily activities, such as using a computer mouse or keyboard, cause the inflammation. But wrist tendonitis and tenosynovitis can also be caused by an injury, ageing or arthritis.

Tendonitis is sometimes confused with carpal tunnel syndrome however carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by nerve compression.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WRIST TENDONITIS?

Wrist tendonitis and tenosynovitis have similar symptoms:

• Tender or warm to touch wrist

• Pain when moving the hand or fingers

• Swelling at the wrist

• Difficulty gripping or pinching

An examination by a medical professional will diagnose the cause of your wrist pain. This may involve certain movements to stretch the tendons or an x-ray or MRI scan.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR WRIST PAIN?

The types of treatments will vary depending on your diagnosis and how severe your wrist pain is. Types of non-surgical treatments include:

• Rest/change activity – avoid the activity that caused the injury until the pain subsides.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – painkillers that help reduce any inflammation.

• Ice therapy – use ice packs to reduce swelling, inflammation and promote blood flow.

• Physiotherapy – strengthening and stretching exercises to keep the wrist mobile and flexible.

• Steroid injections – cortisone gives short-term pain relief and reduces inflammation.

• Splint or cast – a supportive aid to immobilise the hand whilst the tendons recover.

Surgery is an option is the tendon has been damaged through an injury and isn’t repairing itself or possibly to remove a badly damaged synovium. Book an appointment to treat your wrist tendonitis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster or Worksop. You can even follow us on social media.