Wrist Tendonitis - Natural Cures, Remedies and Treatments

Wrist Tendonitis, also known as tenosynovitis, is an irritation and swelling of the tissue or 'tunnel' which surrounds the tendons of the thumb. There are several large tendons running into the wrist and tendonitis usually only effects one tendon, but in more severe cases more tendons may be effected. Often wrist tendonitis occurs at points where the tendons cross each other or pass over a bony prominence. Bending and extending the wrist is usually painful and there may be swelling in the wrist. Inflammation of the wrist tendons happens often when someone starts a new activity or exercise. This can result in pain, restricted movement in many directions, including down, up, in and out, nerve compression and other related symptoms. Chronic tendonitis can also lead to small tears or ruptures in the tendon, build up of scar tissue, and other long-term ramifications.

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Wrist Tendonitis Causes

Wrist tendonitis can be caused by overuse, and poor use of the wrists, repetitive use or acute trauma or a combination of them. Possible overuse activities include throwing, catching, bowling, hitting a tennis ball, typing, or sewing. If you have developed tendonitis, you will find that the reason you developed it is one of the points mentioned below.

Wrist Tendonitis Symptoms

The tendon that is inflamed is tender to the touch. You have pain in the wrist and forearm with repetitive activity. You may have swelling around the inflamed tendon. If the hand is made into a fist with the thumb tucked inside and the pain gets worse the diagnosis is likely tendonitis. The symptoms include:

Home Remedies and Treatments

So, you have been diagnosed with wrist tendonitis, or fear you might develop it, and it is time to look at treatments. Treatment for wrist tendonitis is the same whether it developed as a repetitive stress injury or not. In many cases of wrist tendonitis, the injury occurs because of overload of the wrist poor technique in a sporting activity. While you are recovering from your injury you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not make your wrist tendonitis worse. For example, you may need to run instead of play racquet sports. Wrist tendonitis treatment may include the following:

Even with efforts towards prevention, wrist tendonitis still frequently occurs, especially in athletes, musicians and computer-based workers. The doctor will often recommend pain killers, and, if the condition recurs, cortisone injections or even surgery. However, there are simpler, healthier ways to treat tendonitis.

Wrist Tendonitis Prevention

The best way to prevent wrist tendonitis is to avoid it. Preventative methods for wrist tendonitis are part of a comprehensive treatment program and should be exercised during and after recovery. Before developing the symptoms of wrist tendonitis, alter work and play habits to prevent the condition from occurring. Proper warm ups are always essential, whether prior to long periods of typing, rehearsing or engaging in a tennis match. Circle wrists back and forth. Stretch the wrist out gently for at least 20 seconds by pressing fingers into the palm of the other hand. Make sure the tendons are warmed up before any kind of exertion. Take regular breaks to stretch again and rest. To prevent wrist tendonitis, don't lift weights that are too heavy or undertake marathon length activities.

The Difference between Carpal Tunnel and Wrist Tendonitis

The fact is, these two issues are commonly confused and misdiagnosed. Here are some important factors to take into account when trying to figure out what is causing your pain.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a grouping of the symptoms of wrist pain, numbness, muscle weakness, shooting pain, and reduced range of motion. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome consists of a pattern of increasing tightness and pain in the forearms and wrist and hand, the whole arm really.

Wrist Tendonitis, interestingly enough, can cause all the same symptoms. And you can have tendonitis on the tendons on the front side of your hand/wrist, the back side of your hand/wrist, or both. This is mostly caused by a pattern of increasing tightness and pain in the forearms and wrist and hand, the whole arm really.

You can have Carpal Tunnel and Wrist Tendinitis at the same time.  No wonder it can be confusing. Your wrist hurts. Why? Let's take a look. There are some things to look for to help find the difference between one or the other. Search around and feel along the tendons from each forearm muscle to where it turns to tendon, to where tendon connects to hand bones.

• If you find a hot spot, a very sharp, painful spot on the tendon, that is wrist tendonitis.
• If you have pain and numbness but no hot spot, that points to a carpal tunnel dynamic.
• If you have pain and numbness and a hot spot on the palm side of your wrist, that points to wrist tendonitis, which is causing muscle and connective tissue to constrict and possibly cutting off nerve supply to the hand.
• If you have pain and numbness and a hot spot on the back-of-the-hand side of your wrist, that points to having both (but I find it usually means tendonitis that is causing the symptoms)
• If you don't have numbness, that points to wrist tendonitis.