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Wrist Pain Specialist

Western Orthopaedics, P.C. Our Services Wrist Pain

Western Orthopaedics, P.C.

Orthopedic Surgeons & Physical Therapists located in Denver, CO

For such small areas, your wrists play an extraordinarily important role in allowing you the use of your hands — and in today’s computer-driven society, wrist pain can be more costly than ever. At Western Orthopaedics, P.C., musculoskeletal experts specialize in the many conditions that can cause wrist and hand pain, helping patients regain use of these all-important appendages. For relief from your wrist pain, call or request an appointment online.

Wrist Pain Q & A

What is the anatomy of the wrist?

Your wrists are highly complex structures and, in reality, they aren’t just one joint, but a combination of small joints that work together to allow the wide range of motion your hands enjoy.

Your wrist is made of many bones, including the:

  • Two long bones that run down your forearm — your radius and your ulna
  • Eight carpal bones
  • Metacarpal bones that run into your hand

The main role of your carpal bones is to form a tunnel, through which your median nerve travels as well as nine flexor tendons that control the movements in all your fingers except your pinkie.

Surrounding these bones are a number of muscles, ligaments, and tendons, which provide support and movement.

What are the most common causes of wrist pain?

There are many problems that can cause pain in your wrist, including:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Sprains
  • Tendonitis, which includes the aforementioned carpal tunnel syndrome

The symptoms of wrist pain may also include numbness and tingling, especially if your median nerve is compressed inside your carpal tunnel. If you have an acute injury, you may experience swelling and stiffness in your wrist.

How is wrist pain diagnosed and treated?

When you first see your orthopaedist at Western Orthopaedics, P.C., they sit down with you to review your symptoms. Armed with this information, they perform a physical exam and turn to diagnostic imaging to see what’s going on inside your wrist.

Once they locate the problem, your doctor comes up with a treatment plan that relieves your pain and restores your movement as quickly as possible. This plan may require some patience on your part — for example, if you’ve fractured a bone in your wrist, your doctor immobilizes the area so that your bones can heal properly.

If you’ve developed carpal tunnel syndrome, which is a repetitive stress injury, your specialist typically recommends rest and anti-inflammatory medications. As well, certain exercises can help with the inflammation and help maintain function.

In certain cases, your best chances for relief may lie in surgery, in which case you’re in good hands at Western Orthopaedics, P.C.

To resolve your wrist pain, call Western Orthopaedics, P.C., or request an appointment using the online scheduling tool.