Your wrists do a lot of work every day. You use them when you type on a computer, write with a pen, cook food, or play sports. Because we use our wrists so much, they can hurt sometimes. This pain can be small or big. It can go away fast or stay for a long time.
Many people feel pain in their wrists but don’t know why. Some think it will go away on its own. But understanding why your wrist hurts can help you feel better faster. In this article, we will talk about different reasons why wrists hurt and what you can do about it.
Why Do Wrists Hurt?
Wrists can hurt for many reasons. Sometimes it’s because you used your wrist too much. Other times it’s because something inside your wrist is not working right. Let’s look at some common reasons.
Using Your Wrist Too Much
When you do the same thing over and over with your wrist, it can start to hurt. This is called strain. People who type all day or use their phones a lot might feel this kind of pain. The muscles and parts inside your wrist get tired. They need rest to feel better.
If you play sports like tennis or golf, you might also get wrist strain. Lifting heavy things the wrong way can hurt your wrist too. This type of wrist pain usually feels like a dull ache. It might get worse when you move your wrist or use it a lot.
Sprains and Injuries
Sometimes wrists hurt because of an accident. You might fall down and put your hand out to catch yourself. This can twist or bend your wrist in a bad way. When this happens, the parts inside your wrist can get damaged. This is called a sprain.
A sprained wrist can hurt a lot. It might swell up and look bigger than normal. You might see a bruise that looks purple or blue. Moving your wrist can be hard and painful. If your wrist got hurt in a fall or accident, you should see a doctor to make sure nothing is broken.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One common cause of wrist pain is something called carpal tunnel syndrome. Inside your wrist, there is a small space called the carpal tunnel. A big nerve goes through this space. This nerve helps you feel things with your hand and move your fingers.
Sometimes the space in the carpal tunnel gets too small. This squeezes the nerve and makes it hurt. When you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your hand might feel numb or tingly. It can feel like little pins are poking your fingers. Your hand might feel weak too.
People who type a lot or do the same hand movements at work often get carpal tunnel syndrome. Pregnant women sometimes get it too. Understanding wrist pain from carpal tunnel is important because it needs special treatment.
Arthritis in the Wrist
Arthritis is when the parts inside your joints get worn out or swollen. Yes, you can get arthritis in your wrist. There are different types of arthritis that can affect wrists.
The most common type is called osteoarthritis. This happens when the smooth covering on your bones wears away over time. Another type is rheumatoid arthritis. This makes your joints swell up because your body’s defense system attacks them by mistake.
When you have arthritis in your wrist, it might feel stiff in the morning. The pain might get worse when you use your wrist. Your wrist might look swollen or feel warm to touch.
Signs That Your Wrist Pain Is Serious
Most wrist pain will get better with rest. But sometimes your wrist pain means something more serious is wrong. You should see a doctor if you notice these signs.
If your wrist hurts so bad that you can’t move it at all, see a doctor right away. If your wrist looks bent or shaped wrong after an injury, go to the hospital. When your wrist is very swollen and hot to touch, this could be a sign of infection.
You should also get help if the pain doesn’t go away after a few weeks. If your fingers feel numb or tingly all the time, this is important to check. When you can’t hold things because your hand feels weak, a doctor can help find out why.
How to Help Your Wrist Feel Better
There are many things you can do at home to help your wrist feel better. These simple steps work well for mild wrist pain.
Rest Your Wrist
The first thing to do is stop doing what makes your wrist hurt. If typing makes it hurt, take breaks often. If lifting things makes it hurt, ask someone to help you. Your wrist needs time to heal.
You can wear a wrist brace to keep your wrist still. This helps it rest even when you’re doing other things. Many people wear a brace at night when they sleep. This keeps the wrist in a good position.
Use Ice and Heat
Ice can help when your wrist is swollen or hurts a lot. Put ice in a bag and wrap it in a towel. Place it on your wrist for fifteen minutes. Do this a few times each day.
After a few days, you can try heat instead. Heat helps your muscles relax and feel better. You can use a warm towel or a heating pad. Don’t make it too hot or you might burn your skin.
Do Gentle Exercises
When your wrist starts to feel better, gentle exercises can help make it strong again. Move your wrist slowly in circles. Bend it up and down gently. Stretch your fingers out wide and then make a fist.
These exercises help your wrist move better. They make the muscles stronger so your wrist won’t hurt as easily next time. Start slow and don’t push too hard.
When to See a Doctor
If home care doesn’t help your wrist pain, it’s time to see a doctor. They can look at your wrist carefully and find out what’s wrong. The doctor might take pictures of your wrist with an X-ray or other machine. This shows what’s happening inside.
For carpal tunnel syndrome, a doctor might give you a special brace to wear. They might suggest physical therapy where you learn exercises to help your wrist. In some cases, medicine can help reduce swelling and pain. If the problem is very bad, surgery might be needed to fix it.
For arthritis, doctors can give you medicine to help with pain and swelling. They can teach you ways to use your wrist that won’t hurt as much. Some people get shots in their wrist to help with arthritis pain.