Wrist Tendonitis: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, And More

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about wrist tendonitisMedically reviewed by Timothy Gossett, M.D. — Written by Jenna Fletcher on January 4, 2020

Symptoms
Causes
Home remedies
Treatments
Prevention
Outlook

Wrist tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon in the wrist. It can occur as a result of an injury or repetitive motion that causes the tendon to rub against other bodily tissues, such as bone.

Tendons are thick, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones. A person’s wrist contains many tendons. Together, they allow movement of the wrist, hand, and fingers. Tendonitis can develop in any of the tendons in the wrist as a result of injury or overuse.

Keep reading for more information on the symptoms and causes of wrist tendonitis and the treatment options available.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of wrist tendonitis is pain. The pain may be dull, and it may worsen with movement of the wrist.

Other potential symptoms of wrist tendonitis include:

warmth and redness
swelling and inflammation, which can reduce the mobility of the wrist and make repetitive activities, such as texting or typing, more difficult
a grinding sensation or creaking noise when moving the wrist
weakness in the wrist

Causes

The most common causes of wrist tendonitis are repetitive movement and overuse, for example, due to:

typing and using a computer mouse
playing video games
texting
writing with a pen and paper
performing repetitive physical tasks, such as hammering or chopping wood
playing sports that require the use of the wrists

The following factors may also cause or contribute to wrist tendonitis:

age
poor posture in the wrists
poorly aligned joints
an acute injury from a fall or other impact
diabetes

Home remedies

A person may be able to treat minor cases of wrist tendonitis at home.

Some potential home treatments for wrist tendonitis include:

avoiding any repetitive activities that could have caused or contributed to the condition
applying ice to the wrist to reduce inflammation
wearing a splint to minimize movement and prevent further injury
taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation

A person should see their doctor if their wrist tendonitis does not improve, or they suspect that the condition is a result of an injury. A doctor will be able to assess the severity of the tendonitis and suggest additional treatment options.

Treatment options

There are several potential treatment options for wrist tendonitis. The type of treatment that a doctor recommends will depend on the cause and severity of the condition.

Some nonsurgical options for treating wrist tendonitis include:

gentle stretching exercises
bracing or splinting the wrist to reduce movement and prevent further injury
NSAIDs to reduce pain and swelling
a steroid injection into the wrist to reduce inflammation
occupational therapy to help people engage in activities that they may otherwise find difficult

If these treatments fail, or there is damage to the tendon, a person may need surgery to correct their wrist tendonitis. The specific form of tendonitis will determine whether a person is a candidate for surgery, which is not beneficial in all cases.

During surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the wrist and locate the damaged tendon. They will then typically release the sheath surrounding the tendon. This minimally invasive procedure usually requires only local anesthesia. However, more complicated cases of wrist tendonitis may require general anesthesia.

Prevention

The following tips can help people prevent wrist tendonitis:

avoiding repetitive activities that can cause or contribute to wrist tendonitis, where possible
taking regular breaks during repetitive activities that involve the wrists
wearing supporting braces when doing a repetitive task, such as typing, or other activities that may put a strain on the wrists
performing exercises to stretch the wrists

Outlook

Wrist tendonitis refers to inflammation of a tendon within the wrist. This condition typically causes pain and swelling, and it may result in a reduced range of movement in the wrist.

People can usually relieve the symptoms of tendonitis with minimal treatment, such as stretching, splinting, and icing. OTC medications can also help control pain and swelling.

A person can take preventive steps to avoid wrist tendonitis. These include exercising the wrists and taking regular breaks from repetitive activities that may strain them.

If home treatments do not alleviate wrist tendonitis, a person should see their doctor. The doctor will examine the wrist and recommend additional treatment options. In rare cases, a person may need surgery to correct wrist tendonitis.

Tendonitis can go away completely in time, but some people may need to learn to manage chronic tendonitis.

Bones / Orthopedics
Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Sports Medicine / Fitness

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

De Quervain's tendinosis. (2013).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/de-quervains-tendinosis/
Hand and wrist anatomy. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/wrist-hand-and-finger-pain/hand-wrist-anatomy.php
Tendonitis treatments. (n.d.).https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/find-a-program-or-service/orthopaedics/where-is-your-pain/hand-and-wrist/treatments-for-tendon-injury-in-hand-and-wrist/tendonitis-treatments
Tendons. (n.d.).https://handcare.assh.org/Anatomy/Tendonsa

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Medically reviewed by Timothy Gossett, M.D. — Written by Jenna Fletcher on January 4, 2020

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Wrist Tendonitis: Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, And More

Symptoms

Causes

Home remedies

Treatment options

Prevention

Outlook

How we reviewed this article:

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