Wrist tendonitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment

The wrist is one of the most used joints in the body, getting engaged continuously in minor to major day-day-day activities. Considering the load they take, aches and pains are common in the wrists — but are usually brushed aside as not serious.

While most of the aches would be due to stiffness or minor sprains, they could also be due to something serious. For instance, pain while moving the wrist, especially the thumb, could be wrist tendonitis, a common overuse injury.

There are multiple types of wrist tendonitis. The most common one is De Quervain tenosynovitis, which is caused by the inflammation or thickening of the tendon sheaths of the abductor pollicis longus and abductor pollicis brevis muscles in the dorsal compartment of the wrist. These muscles facilitate movement of the thumb.

The pain may range from mild to severe, and normally subsides with rest. In severe cases, medical and physiotherapeutic intervention is needed.

Causes of wrist tendonitis

The common causes associated with wrist tendonitis are strain and overuse of the joint. Overuse makes the wrists vulnerable to injuries.

“The tendons of the wrist are more vulnerable to inflammation compared to other tendons of the body due to overuse,” says Neetu Rathi, founder of Rid of Pain Physiotherapy, Gurugram, Haryana. “The hand is continuously used for daily activities, so wrist tendonitis is very common. The tendons of the wrist also become vulnerable in people whose profession involves repetitive wrist motion — such as dentists or hair stylists who constantly handheld equipment, those who type a lot on a computer, along with sportspersons like tennis players, cricketers and new mothers who hold the baby for long hours. Conditions like diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout also play their part.”

Symptoms of wrist tendonitis

An initial symptom is mild pain where the person finds it difficult to do day-to-day activities like opening the lid of a can or picking up the office bag.

Rathi says the pain felt while holding any object in hand or while moving the wrist are symptoms that should not be ignored.

Treatment for wrist tendonitis

Taking frequent breaks from repeated movement can prevent wrist tendonitis.

“Along with following work-related ergonomics, frequent breaks [should be taken] while working on a laptop or holding any object,” says Rathi. “And if pain is felt, then icing should be done.”

If the pain becomes severe, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs along with physiotherapy is recommended. A wrist splint with thumb support can be used to immobilise the wrist and aid healing if needed. The recovery time ranges from a couple of days to weeks.

Takeaways

• The most common type of wrist tendonitis is De Quervain tenosynovitis, which is caused by strain or overuse but conditions like diabetes, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout also play their part.
• Rest is recommended for recovering from wrist tendonitis. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory drugs along with physiotherapeutic intervention are suggested.
• Frequent breaks from work or tasks that involve repeated wrist movement, along with following work-related ergonomics, can help prevent the condition.