# Wrist Pain **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978 "2008-02-24T18:09:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/1 "2008-02-24T18:09:43Z")
On and off for the past few years I would get pain in my wrists (The left one mostley). Usually, there would be pain if I put pressure on my palm (like when doing pushups). There would be no pain if I did pushups on my fists. It would last for a few weeks, and be gone for a month or two. But a few days ago, it got worse (only my left. The right is fine). If I try to move my hand down (fingers towards wrist) it kills. Same if I move it up (as if to do a pushup). I do not have to put any pressure on it. Just moving it hurts. Also if I use my fingers (like taking the top off a bottle with just my fingers), I feel some pain in my wrist. I also found that where the back of my hand and wrist meet, if I press down, it hurts. And there seems to be a small spot where it is numb there. I can feel that I am pressing there, but is a dull feeling. I guess it is time to see a doctor about it. But I thought I woud see if anyone has had this happen to them before. (and starting today I am using ice on it when I have the chance) ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/2 "2008-02-24T18:26:22Z")
Sounds like some type of repetitive stress injury. Do you buy chance frequently a)type or b)hit things with a hammer at work? Carpal-tunnel Syndrome is probably the most famous form of RSI but there are all kinds of other injuries with the same cause (repetitive motion). I have chronic “epicondylitis” which is “Tennis Elbow” and my wrists are weak in a way very similar to what you describe. Which takes me to my last point: get to a doctor NOW. You need a physical therapist, or more accurately an Occupational Therapist (they specialize in the hand). I was told, as a rule of thumb, that the time it takes to recover is equal to the amount of time you felt the pain. I had been feeling my pain for years, and now it is a chronic condition. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/3 "2008-02-24T18:38:07Z")
[QUOTE=Hello Again] Sounds like some type of repetitive stress injury. Do you buy chance frequently a)type or b)hit things with a hammer at work? [/QUOTE] I do use my hands alot at work, and at home. Not typing and hammers, but moving boxes, and a lot of small stuff with my hands (I am a line cook). [QUOTE=Hello Again] Carpal-tunnel Syndrome is probably the most famous form of RSI but there are all kinds of other injuries with the same cause (repetitive motion). I have chronic “epicondylitis” which is “Tennis Elbow” and my wrists are weak in a way very similar to what you describe. Which takes me to my last point: get to a doctor NOW. You need a physical therapist, or more accurately an Occupational Therapist (they specialize in the hand). I was told, as a rule of thumb, that the time it takes to recover is equal to the amount of time you felt the pain. I had been feeling my pain for years, and now it is a chronic condition. [/QUOTE] I am going to call my Dr. on Monday. And PS. This pain is only in the back of my wrist/hand. I have heard that Carpal-tunnel and such things are in the front (side with the artery). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/4 "2008-02-28T04:47:11Z")
The Dr. said it is bursitis. He showed me how to wrap my hand and gave me celebrex. He told me if it is not getting better in a week to go for X-rays. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/5 "2008-02-28T16:51:05Z")
I had something similar. In my case, I think it was a ganglion cyst, although it might have been bursitis. I found relief by wearing a wrist-brace for a while. I’m glad you went to the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/6 "2008-02-28T16:57:17Z")
I just had surgery on Monday to treat “Blackberry Thumb” plus some. It was a pain to get a correct diagnosis because the first thing that comes to mind is Carpal Tunnel. It hasnt been fun - my wrist started grinding & popping and before that I would get a burning sensation from my wrist all the way up to my neck. Hopefully this surgery #3 will give me some relief. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/7 "2008-02-28T17:26:23Z")
[QUOTE=Pixilated] I just had surgery on Monday to treat “Blackberry Thumb” plus some. It was a pain to get a correct diagnosis because the first thing that comes to mind is Carpal Tunnel. It hasnt been fun - my wrist started grinding & popping and before that I would get a burning sensation from my wrist all the way up to my neck. Hopefully this surgery #3 will give me some relief. [/QUOTE] That dosn’t sound very fun. I hope you recover from it ok. ---
**Author:** ![Pixilated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aeb1de/32.png) [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/8 "2008-02-28T20:50:24Z")
thanks Man in Black Dorky me stopped in mid-thought on the post (can I blame it on the pain?) I meant to encourage you to get a good ortho if it persists. Some people have been fortunate with treatments as simple as wearing a brace - especially when sleeping. Any comfortable support wrap for your wrist would probably be a good idea. I really hope the find the problem and develope a course of action right away so it does not worsen & cause major probs. Those tears are often passed over as something else (or at least it was in my situation), so dont dismiss the possibility. ohhhhh - pain med kickin in, time for nap! yay! ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/9 "2008-02-29T07:11:34Z")
[QUOTE=The Man In Black] The Dr. said it is bursitis. He showed me how to wrap my hand and gave me celebrex. He told me if it is not getting better in a week to go for X-rays. [/QUOTE] This [site](http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/wrist_forearm/wristbursitis.htm) may be of some help. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wrist-pain/438978/10 "2008-02-29T17:02:24Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] This [site](http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/wrist_forearm/wristbursitis.htm) may be of some help. [/QUOTE] Thank you