The wrist comprises eight small bones called carpals, which form a carpal tunnel tube that runs through the wrist. This tunnel is covered by a ligament responsible for supporting it, and inside it has tendons and a nerve. Feeling discomfort in one or both wrists is a reasonably regular alteration since you can be injured with some sudden movements or by repeating some specific activity, such as using the computer or doing sports in which you need to use this part of the body as tennis.
If you feel discomfort in the wrist and there is inflammation, it can be a sign of trauma; on the other hand, in the case of a fracture, it deforms the joint and is challenging to move the needle. However, there are several reasons why you may be experiencing discomfort. At FastlyHealwe, please answer the question why do my wrists hurt so that you can learn more about the possible causes.
It would help if you never forgot that it is essential to visit a doctor when any discomfort appears to be able to carry out a correct diagnosis and offer adequate treatment.
Table of Contents
Infectious arthritis causes pain in the affected area.
Infectious arthritis, also known as septic arthritis, is a type of arthritis characterized by bacteria. This arthritis occurs when harmful microorganisms spread through the bloodstream to reach a joint. It can also happen that septic arthritis appears from direct injection in the wrist from an injury or surgery.
This disorder can appear at any age, although various situations considerably increase the risk of suffering from this disorder. These can be:
- Use artificial joint implants.
- That there is a bacterial infection in another part of the body.
- Be undergoing treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system.
- Suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Having recently had some trauma to a joint.
- Using medications by injection or intravenous route.
- Having had surgery on a recent joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis also causes wrist discomfort.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes the joints and tissues to swell. It can happen in the wrists as in any other part of the body, for example, in the knees, where it is also quite common.
It is an autoimmune disorder, which means that the immune system accidentally attacks a tissue, joint, or ligament that is healthy and in good condition. It occurs at any age, although rheumatoid arthritis is more common after middle age and is usually more common in women than in men.
Osteoarthritis, another type of arthritis that causes pain
The osteoarthritis may be another reason if you’re wondering why it hurts my wrists. It is usually quite common since it is related to age when the wear and tear of the joints begins. As cartilage is in charge of caring for the bones and allowing them to slide, when it breaks or wears down, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing swelling, stiffness in the area, and pain.
It is customary in both sexes before 55 years of age; however, after that age, women are more likely to suffer from it than men. However, other factors can lead to osteoarthritis, such as hereditary.
Tendinitis in the wrists, a common and annoying disorder
Suffering from tendonitis means that a tendon is in bad condition. The tendon is a flexible but thick tissue that connects the muscle to the bone and can be damaged or inflamed, mainly by repetitions of constant movements. These can occur during sports such as tennis or basketball or everyday activities such as using the computer, in which the wrists are subjected to continuous repetitive activities.
This type of condition can be easily recognized because, when closing the hand, pain is felt in the dorsal aspect of the thumb, the wrist swells, a specific stiffness appears when trying to mobilize the thumb or wrist, and the fingers become numb. To calm the pain, it is essential to rest, that is, to avoid actions that compromise the affected wrist, apply ice, massage, and visit the doctor.
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness.
The median nerve is a nerve that passes through the wrist and enters the hand through a tube called the carpal tunnel. This nerve runs through the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, which is responsible for providing sensitivity and movement mainly to the sides of the hand.
Who suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome suffers from a disorder in this nerve, which can cause having a clumsy hand and pain in the hand or wrist that extends to the elbow, weakness in the hand even to grasp or hold things, the sensation of tingling in the hands or coordination problems in the fingers. This can appear due to any inflammation that can pinch this nerve or a problem from birth because there are people born with a very narrow carpal tunnel. It causes the nerve to be pressed or, like tendinitis, by repetition of movements that are performed over and over again.
This alteration is usually more common in women than in men and usually affects people between 30 and 60 years old, but it can appear. Some factors that could cause carpal tunnel syndrome to occur, causing pain in the wrists are:
- Obesity.
- Alcoholism.
- Infections
- Fractures and arthritis in the wrist.
- Cyst or tumor in the area of the hand.
- Accumulation of liquids.
Wrist twist causes discomfort in the whole area.
If you are still wondering why my wrists hurt, a sprain is another possible option since it is a prevalent condition. As in the previous cases, this can happen due to excessive use of the wrist, a wrong movement, or some fall in which the arm has been compromised when falling or trying to support itself.
When this happens, the ligaments responsible for connecting the bones suffer an injury, mainly a tear, due to excessive stretching. This usually includes swelling and pain in the wrist and the entire area.
When to go to the doctor for wrist pain
Although some causes of wrist pain are standard and not severe, it is essential to visit a doctor to check the painful area and detect the actual cause of the pain, in addition to recommending the treatment and steps to follow to reduce the discomfort and symptoms. It is especially essential to consult a specialist if:
- The pain does not improve.
- The wrist, fingers, or hand stiffen.
- The discomfort gets worse as the hours go by.
- Tingling or numbness in hand does not subside.
- Fingers or hands turn white or purple.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do my wrists hurt , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.