Diagnosis Wrist Pain

Wrist pain is a very common complaint, especially for athletes and people who exercise often. While some cases are minor and can be treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine, others may require more invasive treatment, such as wrist joint surgery Houston. Seeing a doctor can help determine the exact cause of the pain so a treatment plan can be made.

Signs of Wrist Injury

Whether sprained or fractured, there are several symptoms that indicate a person has injured their wrist:

  • Dull or sharp pain in the hand or wrist area
  • Difficulty grasping and lifting objects
  • Bruising or swelling of the wrist
  • Deformity of the wrist bone

While people may experience these symptoms with an acute injury caused by a fall or sports-related accident, tendinitis is another potential cause of wrist pain and occurs from extended overuse or repetitive stress of the tendons surrounding the wrist joint. While pain and swelling are also symptoms of this injury, other signs include warmth or redness of the tendons and the feeling of grinding with movement.

Wrist Pain Diagnosis

In order to diagnose the cause of a person’s wrist pain, there are several methods the doctor will use.  A visual examination can reveal a bent or deformed wrist bone, which indicates a fracture. The doctor will also look for any bruising, swelling, or redness from the area. A physical examination may include tapping various areas of the wrist of hand, testing the patient’s ability to grip or hold objects, and bending the wrist forward to see if any pain, tingling, or numbness occurs.

The doctor will likely take an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI if a fractured or sprained wrist or tendinitis is suspected. To assess the condition of the nerves, he or she might order an electromyography or nerve condition velocity test. The doctor may sample the fluid around your joints to be tested at a lab.

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