Wrist pain is among the most common reasons Americans see an orthopedic doctor. It can be caused by various factors, including injury, arthritis, and wrist disease and conditions.
Wrist pain can range from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain – and not all wrist pain requires medical attention. For example, minor strains or sprains can get better with at-home treatments. But if wrist pain and swelling last longer than a week or more or worsen, medical attention is needed.
Let’s learn about some common at-home and medical treatments for wrist pain and where you can go to treat your wrist pain in North Dakota.
At-Home Treatments for Wrist Pain
Mild wrist pain or discomfort can get better with the following at-home treatments.
- Limit or stop any activities that can worsen your wrist pain. Rest will give your wrists enough time to heal. You may also wear a splint or brace to treat your wrist pain.
- Cold or Warm Compress. Pain resulting from an acute injury to the wrist can get better with a cold compress. In contrast, a warm compress is recommended for chronic (long-standing) wrist pain.
- Exercises. Perform gentle at-home exercises to relieve wrist pain, discomfort, and other associated symptoms.
- Over-the-Counter Medications. If your pain is not getting better with rest and immobilization, apply topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to the skin of the wrist.
Medical Treatment for Wrist Pain
Medical treatments for wrist pain include surgical and nonsurgical treatments. The right treatment for your wrist pain will depend on the cause of the wrist pain, your age, and your overall health.
Standard medical treatments that can cure wrist pain include:
Medications
Your wrist doctor may recommend nonprescription and prescription medications to ease wrist pain and discomfort. Your doctor may also inject corticosteroid medication into your wrist to reduce wrist inflammation and pain.
Physical Therapy
Your physical therapists may recommend specific physical therapy exercises and treatments for your unique wrist injury or problem. In addition to relieving wrist pain, physical therapy exercises will improve the wrist’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility.
Surgery
In some cases where nonsurgical treatment does not provide relief, your wrist doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to correct the problem and provide relief from wrist pain once and for all.
Typically, wrist surgery is performed for wrist fractures, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendon or ligament repair.
Wrist Pain in North Dakota
Although the wrist is a small part of the body, the pain and discomfort of the wrist joint can severely impact your ability to do daily tasks. Here at The Bone & Joint Center, we have a team of orthopedic doctors who are specialized in providing diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of problems of bones and joints. We offer surgical and nonsurgical treatments for wrist pain and discomfort so you can enjoy a quality life and stay at the top of your health.
If you would like to make an appointment with us, call us today at (701) 946-7400 / (866) 900-8650 or use our convenient online request form.
