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Treatment for pain in the wrist joint depends on the cause that caused it. Therefore, there is no generally accepted way to relieve pain in every case of discomfort in the joints of the hand.
First of all, specialists resort to diagnostics to identify the original cause of pain. Here are the symptoms of certain diseases that may be responsible for the appearance of discomfort in the wrist joint:
- De Quervain’s disease (tenosynovitis) manifests itself in pain that affects the area of the styloid process, which is located on the radius. Its location is the lateral surface of the hand, which is located on the side of the thumb. Unpleasant sensations are more pronounced when moving the hand and thumb. Sometimes the pain appears at night and begins to radiate to the hand and forearm. When palpated by a doctor, the patient begins to experience pain in the area of the styloid process. The affected area of the joint is characterized by some swelling.
- This disease is also characterized by Finkelstein’s symptom. This phenomenon is expressed as follows. You need to press your thumb to the surface of your palm, and put the rest of your fingers on top of it (clench everything into a fist). If in this position you move your hand towards the elbow, a sharp pain will appear.
- The symptoms are the same as for de Quervain’s disease. Only Finkelstein’s symptom is excluded.
- Carpal (or carpal) tunnel syndrome manifests itself in pain that spreads along the surface of the palm of the wrist. In this case, there are sensations of numbness, tingling, and pain that spread to the four fingers of the hand. It is those fingers that are controlled by the median nerve that suffer. They can get sick all at once or from one to three. Sensation in the toe area may be intermittent at first, but it soon becomes replaced by regular pain. Moreover, these pain sensations can intensify at night.
- Arthritis manifests itself in the presence of severe pain in the joint, as well as the appearance of swelling in the articular area and a feeling of stiffness in the joint.
- Arthrosis manifests itself in decreased mobility of the affected joint, which occurs due to deformation of the cartilage. Arthrosis is also characterized by the presence of pain in the area of the joint itself.
- Bursitis is characterized by the appearance of severe pain in the joint area, which accompanies the inflammatory process in the joint capsule.
- Hygromas are characterized by pain in the joint area, as well as the appearance of an externally visible tumor, which looks aesthetically unsightly. Also, with hygromas, joint mobility is impaired due to a benign tumor interfering with movement.
- Periarthritis is characterized by the presence of pain in the area of the affected wrist joint.
- Dislocations manifest themselves as sharp pain when moving, as well as the appearance of swelling in the affected area and some redness of the skin in this area.
Experts offer the following treatment methods:
- With de Quervain’s disease (tenosynovitis).
It is necessary to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include the drugs Voltaren, Nimesil and others. In this group of drugs there are those that need to be used orally, and those that need to be used topically.
It is also recommended to resort to physical therapy. In addition, doctors advise keeping the arm and hand at rest until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Blockade using the drugs Diprospan or Kenalogom has proven itself well.
- At styloids.
All the same methods are used as for de Quervain’s disease.
- For carpal (or carpal) tunnel syndrome.
When treating this problem, it is necessary to consult a neurologist and jointly prescribe treatment with a surgeon or traumatologist, whom the patient (most likely) will contact.
Traditionally, specialists prescribe drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect. These include medications such as Voltaren, Movalis and others. Drugs that relieve inflammatory processes must be taken orally and used topically for external use. Injections of B vitamins and nicotinic acid are also recommended. Physiotherapeutic procedures help well. Blockade using Diprospan is also effective.
The above methods of conservative therapy are good only in the initial stages of the disease. When the joint is in a neglected state, surgical intervention is used – the compressive nerve, which is placed in the fibrous ring, is dissected.
- With arthritis.
The methods proposed by experts depend on the cause of the disease. Acute arthritis requires the use of non-steroidal drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect, which is contraindicated in purulent arthritis. It is recommended to resort to the use of Voltaren, Movalis, Celebrex and other similar drugs. Sometimes, when there are indications for this, experts recommend resorting to a blockade using glucocorticoid hormones – the drugs Diprospan and Kenalog. Sometimes other symptomatic treatment is used, depending on the cause of the arthritis.
- With arthrosis.
First of all, damaged cartilage tissues with arthrosis need to be saturated with the substances they need – chondoprotectors. These drugs help synthesize chondroitin, which is very necessary for restoring the structure of cartilage.
In addition, the damaged joint needs to restore mobility in the bones that articulate in the wrist joint. For such purposes, one of the methods of manual therapy is used – the mobilization method. Three or four sessions are enough to restore joint mobility.
Then the diseased joint needs to restore blood circulation in order to intensify metabolic processes in it. Physiotherapy methods are suitable for this purpose – therapeutic mud, the use of ozokerite and paraffin therapy, compress sessions with bischofite or medical bile. Massages and self-massages with ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect will be good. Laser therapy, magnetic therapy and electrophoresis are also suitable.
In severe cases of arthrosis, it is recommended to use injections with hyaluronic acid directly into the affected joint. Three to five sessions of using hyaluronic acid derivatives provide an effect of restoring the structure of the joint by seventy to eighty percent.
But still, for arthrosis, it is recommended to carry out complex treatment: with the help of chondroprotectors, manual therapy, procedures that improve blood circulation in the joint and injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives. This treatment is characterized by the greatest effectiveness and lasting results.
- With bursitis.
Conservative treatment with drug therapy is recommended, as well as keeping the affected joint at rest. Sometimes specialists resort to exudate punctures with further infusion of antibacterial and other drugs into the resulting cavity. Physiotherapy procedures are also useful. If conservative treatment is ineffective, doctors use surgical methods of intervention. Shock wave therapy can also be used instead of surgery. This method is an excellent analogue of surgery, but also prevents relapses of the disease.
- At hygromachus.
For this disease, it is recommended to use conservative and surgical treatment methods. Conservative methods include medications and physiotherapeutic methods.
The most well-known method is puncture of the hygroma or piercing it with a syringe. Everything that is inside the hygroma is sucked out, and synthetic steroid hormones, for example, Diprospan, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, are injected into the resulting cavity. If the hygroma is infected, then antibacterial drugs, such as Neomycin and Amycil, are injected into the cavity.
It is also useful to use ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect, for example, Diclak-gel or Fastum-gel. Among physiotherapeutic procedures, it is recommended to resort to magnetic therapy, phonophoresis with hydrocortisone, paraffin therapy and ozokerite.
Surgery is considered the most effective. Because when using conservative therapy, there is a high probability of relapse.
The operation to remove the hygroma is carried out under local anesthesia using the enucleation method, in which the hygroma is removed simultaneously with the capsule in which it is located. In this case, the likelihood of relapse is reduced to almost zero.
Laser surgery can also be used to remove hygroma. This reduces pain, reduces blood loss and accelerates wound healing.
- For dislocations.
Dislocations are treated primarily with pain relief and realignment of the joint bones. In each specific case, the method of action is determined by the data from the x-ray. Then a plaster cast is applied to the site of the dislocation. And after removing the plaster, physiotherapy, physical therapy and mechanotherapy methods are recommended.
Treatment of pain in the wrist joint with medications
Of course, not only physiotherapy and other methods can improve the situation with this unpleasant symptom. Treating pain in the wrist joint with medications is a traditional method of combating the diseases that caused it.
So, we list all the medications that are used for the main diseases that cause pain in the joint:
- Voltaren,
- Nimesil,
- Diprospan,
- Kenalog,
- neomycin,
- Amicil,
- Movalis,
- Celebrex,
- Kenalog.
In this case, the list of drugs is presented for informational purposes only. Because only a specialist can choose the appropriate remedy and prescribe a course of treatment. And the doctor will resort to any recommendations only when he finally finds out the cause of the pain in the joint and the underlying disease that needs to be treated.
Ointments for pain in the wrist joint
For pain in the joints of the hand, experts recommend using various external agents with an anti-inflammatory effect. Also, many of these drugs have a mild analgesic effect.
Ointments for pain in the wrist joint are represented by the following names:
- Voltaren Emulgel.
This drug is prescribed for bursitis, arthritis, periarthritis, tendonitis and other diseases with rheumatic manifestations in soft tissues. The gel is good for use for symptoms such as pain, swelling, inflammatory processes that were provoked by injuries affecting ligaments, tendons – dislocations, sprains and hematomas. The medication is also suitable for treating injuries sustained in sports.
It is recommended to use the ointment for adults and children over twelve years of age. Apply the product to dry, clean skin in a thin layer three to four times a day. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician, but not more than three weeks.
- Fastum gel.
This ointment is prescribed by specialists for pain caused by bruises, dislocations, injuries and sprains in the joints.
It is recommended to use Fastum gel from one to two hours a day by rubbing a small amount of gel in a thin layer onto the desired area of skin. You need to rub the ointment into the skin until the gel is completely absorbed. The course of treatment is prescribed by a specialist, but on average this period is up to ten days.
- Dolgit – gel or cream.
This medication is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic for joint diseases that are accompanied by inflammatory processes and severe pain. The drug is useful for arthritis, deforming osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendonitis.
Dolgit gel is applied to cleansed skin and rubbed into the desired area of the skin with light movements. The gel is not recommended for use on an occlusive dressing. It is necessary to avoid getting the gel on the mucous membranes of the eyes. Also, do not rub the gel onto skin with compromised integrity. After using it, you should wash your hands thoroughly. The gel is used three to four times a day for adults and adolescents. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician. Exactly the same recommendations apply to Dolgit cream.
- Diklak gel.
It is used in the treatment of inflammatory processes and relief of edema caused by rheumatoid processes in the joints of the hand, namely tendovaginitis, tendonitis, arthritis. Also good in the presence of arthrosis of the joints. It is used for household, sports and industrial injuries – bruises, sprains and swelling.
The method of applying the gel is as follows: you need to apply a thin layer of ointment two or three times a day to the affected area. The course of treatment ranges from ten days to two weeks.
Traditional treatment for pain in the wrist joint
Not only medications can help get rid of pain in the wrist joint. There are traditional medicine methods that will help cope with this problem.
Methods of healing from tenosynovitis (or de Quervain’s disease).
- Folk ointment:
- take dried calendula flowers and baby cream, all in equal proportions,
- the ingredients are thoroughly mixed,
- the ointment is applied to a large area, more than covering the painful area, covered with a fixing bandage and left overnight.
- Infusion with anti-inflammatory effect No. 1:
- take a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers and pour a glass of boiling water,
- the infusion is left to cook for half an hour in a thermos,
- after which you can drink it three times a day, half a glass,
- the course of treatment is fourteen days.
- Infusion with anti-inflammatory effect No. 2:
- you need to do the same thing, only instead of chamomile it is recommended to take St. John’s wort.
Methods of healing from arthrosis.
- Compress using oat flakes:
- you need to take three tablespoons of cereal and pour them with two glasses of water,
- after which everything boils for ten minutes,
- the mixture is cooled to a warm temperature and then applied as a compress to the affected area,
- The procedure lasts one hour, after which the compress can be removed.
Methods of healing from arthritis.
- Health drink:
- you need to prepare one tablespoon of olive oil (it is important that the quality of the oil is high), half a teaspoon of grated fresh garlic and one glass of boiling water,
- all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the drink is ready to drink,
- The remedy is taken twice a day until the pain in the joint disappears.
Methods of therapy for sprains.
- Compress with lemon and garlic juices:
- equal amounts of garlic juice and lemon juice are squeezed out, after which the liquids are mixed,
- take gauze and soak it in the resulting mixture,
- the fabric is applied to the affected area and held until the temperature reaches the same temperature as the skin.
- Salt compress with flour:
- the ingredients are taken in equal proportions, after which the dough of a stiff consistency is kneaded using a small amount of water,
- then the dough is kneaded well and rolled out into strips,
- The resulting strips are tied around the affected area, a fabric bandage made of woolen threads is applied on top, and everything is left for the night.
Methods of healing from osteoarthritis.
- Alcohol tincture with hot pepper:
- take three or four pods of hot red pepper (it can be used both dried and fresh),
- alcohol must be diluted to the state of vodka and then take half a liter of liquid,
- the pepper is filled with liquid and left for ten days in a cool place, protected from light,
- after which you need to regularly rub the affected joint with the resulting drug.
- Herbal infusion:
- you need to stock up on elecampane root – two parts, dill seeds – one part, chamomile flowers – one part, poplar buds – two parts, nettle leaf – two parts, birch buds – three parts and mint leaves – one part,
- all components are thoroughly mixed, and two tablespoons are taken from the resulting mixture, which are brewed with one liter of boiling water,
- then the infusion is poured into a thermos and left overnight,
- after which the resulting drink is taken five times a day, half a glass,
- the course of treatment lasts from two to three months.
Methods of healing hygroma.
- Compress with wine vinegar and eggs:
- mix fifty grams of wine vinegar with one raw egg,
- the fabric is dipped in the mixture and applied to the location of the hygroma.
- Horse chestnut compress:
- six chestnuts are chopped using a meat grinder or blender,
- the prepared pulp is applied to the hygroma, covered with gauze and left alone for a couple of hours,
- After the compress is removed, the sore spot is lubricated with iodine.
Methods of healing from bruises.
- Wormwood compress:
- the raw materials must be crushed until a homogeneous mass is obtained,
- the resulting mass is applied in a thick layer to the desired area of skin, and a bandage is applied on top of it.
- Onion compress:
- the onion is grated and the juice is squeezed out of the mass,
- gauze is taken, which is thoroughly soaked in juice and applied to the site of the bruise.
Methods of healing from periarthritis.
- Herbal infusion for rubbing:
- take equal parts of plantain leaves, peppermint, burdock, as well as chamomile flowers,
- everything is thoroughly mixed and brewed at the rate of four tablespoons per liter of water,
- The infusion is left for several hours, and then the affected area is rubbed with this liquid using light movements.
- Calendula tincture with alcohol:
- you need to stock up on fifty grams of calendula flowers and pour the raw material with half a liter of vodka (or diluted to forty degrees spit),
- the infusion is left for half a month in a cool dark place,
- After this period has expired, you need to rub the sore spots with the resulting product.
Healing inflammatory processes.
- Alcohol tincture with aloe leaves:
- first you need to prepare crushed aloe leaves and vodka in equal quantities,
- the ingredients are mixed well and infused for seven days, placed in a cool and dark place,
- after the specified period, the prepared tincture is rubbed onto the surface of the skin over the affected joint.
- Baths using essential oils:
- warm water is taken in sufficient quantities and essential oils with anti-inflammatory effects are diluted in it – eucalyptus, calendula, St. John’s wort and sandalwood are suitable for these purposes,
- after which the sore wrist is immersed in water for ten or fifteen minutes.
Methods for healing edema.
- Compress with alcoholofuracilin:
- take a pharmaceutical infusion of furatsilin and dilute it with alcohol in a one to one ratio,
- gauze is moistened with the resulting solution, and compresses are applied to the affected joint overnight.
- Baths using a decoction of comfrey:
- a cut comfrey branch is filled with one liter of water,
- after which everything is put on fire and boiled until half of the water disappears from the container,
- then the wrist is lowered into a warm solution and kept in it for twenty minutes.
Universal methods for treating pain in the wrist joint.
Herbal gruel with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect:
- To prepare it, they stock up on chamomile flowers – two parts, sweet clover herb – two parts, marshmallow leaves – one part,
- then all the ingredients are mixed, and boiling water is added to the herbal mass, but in such an amount that a paste is formed,
- After this, the resulting mass is applied to the affected joint.
Herbal collection:
- In equal parts you need to take juniper fruits, birch buds, horsetail grass, St. John’s wort flowers and lingonberry leaves,
- all ingredients are crushed and mixed thoroughly,
- a tablespoon of the mixture is poured into one glass of boiling water and left to infuse (it is best to do this in a thermos),
- after two hours, the infusion is taken orally in the amount of half a glass three times a day before meals,
- the course of treatment should be one and a half months.
Traditional treatment for pain in the wrist joint is, of course, not a panacea, but an adjunct to an integrated approach to the problem. In any case, independent diagnosis and self-medication is not recommended by specialists. Due to the fact that a person can confuse the cause of the disease and only worsen his own health.
Prevention of pain in the wrist joint
Of course, it is impossible to foresee all situations in which the wrist joint may suffer. But it is possible and necessary to help prevent some health problems.
Prevention of pain in the wrist joint occurs as follows:
- First of all, it is necessary to refrain from excessive physical stress on the body and specifically on the joints of the hand. You should not carry heavy loads or constantly engage in physical work associated with carrying loads.
- If you are forced to carry heavy loads, you need to wear protective elastic bandages on the area of the wrist joints. They will help reduce the load on the joint and prevent damage and strain to the tendons.
- Proper nutrition also matters. Since some problems with the joints of the hand are associated with systemic diseases of the body. Which arise when a healthy lifestyle is violated, including when the diet is violated.
It is recommended to eat fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grain cereals, salads with a little salt and unrefined vegetable oil every day. It is also good to remember about seeds (especially flax seeds) and nuts, wheat germ and greens. Fish and sometimes lean meat are also important. Honey and other bee products are also useful. As drinks, you should use infusions of medicinal herbs, fruit drinks without added sugar, infusions of dried fruits and compotes. From time to time you can treat yourself to fermented milk products, natural cheeses and yogurt.
It is recommended to limit, and sometimes completely eliminate, sugar and salt, flour and bakery products, and all products with preservatives, dyes and flavor enhancers. Food should be natural, fresh and organic.
- When constantly working with a load on the wrist joint, it is necessary to periodically perform gymnastics for the joints of the hand throughout the day. This will help avoid occupational diseases of these joints.
- It is important to remember the correct distribution of work and rest during the day.
- Smoking and alcohol abuse also lead to metabolic disorders that affect the deformities that occur in the wrist joint. Therefore, it is recommended to abandon these excesses. Especially for those people who have a hereditary tendency to arthritis, arthrosis and other systemic diseases.
Wrist pain has many causes. Therefore, if you experience this unpleasant symptom, you need to consult a specialist and undergo a comprehensive examination to find out the cause of the pain.