Wrist pain is not uncommon. Injuries and repetitive motion can result in problems that can cause pain in this joint.
If you are experiencing pain in your wrist, making an appointment with the best pain doctor in Los Angeles is in order. They can run the proper tests to make a definitive diagnosis so that you can identify the source of your pain.
Arthritis
Both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis can cause pain in the wrist. Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear on the joint in the wrist. Over time, the cartilage wears away and the bones rub against each other. This can result in pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease. Pain in the wrists can result from the synovium becoming thicker. The synovium is a tissue that lines your joints and creates a fluid that contributes to joint lubrication.
Over time, the inflammation that occurs with rheumatoid arthritis can worsen, resulting in damage to the cartilage. The symptoms may include stiffness that is worse in the morning, pain, swelling and tenderness.
Ganglion Cyst
This type of cyst can occur in areas throughout the body, but they most commonly develop on the wrist. They can change in size and disappear and appear quickly. The pain that occurs can make it difficult to use the affected wrist.
What causes these cysts remains unknown, but they are most common between ages 15 and 40. The best pain doctor in Los Angeles may aspirate the fluid from the cyst to reduce its size and your symptoms. However, they often return. In these cases, surgery to remove it might be considered.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness, pain and tingling in the affected wrist, arm and hand. It results from the median nerve becoming compressed. Repetitive motion is one of the most common causes. Women who are pregnant, and people with conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and thyroid hormone imbalances are at a higher risk for this condition.
Tendonitis
Wrist tendonitis is sometimes also referred to as de Quervain’s disease. It can cause pain at the thumb’s base on the back of your wrist. It most often occurs in people who use their thumb to pinch or grasp repeatedly.
The best pain doctor in Los Angeles may start with conservative treatments. These include anti-inflammatory medications, rest, bracing and icing the affected wrist. It is rare to require surgery for this condition.
Scaphoid Fracture
The scaphoid bone is a small bone in your wrist. The fracture causes tenderness and pain just under your thumb’s base. When trying to grasp or pinch something, the pain can worsen. Depending on the severity of the fracture, treatment ranges from surgery to casting.
It is important to see the best pain doctor in Los Angeles as soon as wrist pain occurs. Stop the activity that you are doing and rest your wrist. It is important to get a prompt diagnosis because if you try to just work through the pain, there is a risk for worsening your injury or condition.