We frequently take our body for granted, especially our wrists. This part of our anatomy helps us function in every aspect of our lives, whether typing on a key board or picking up grocery bags. This important part of your body gets the phrase from sports coaches that "it's all in the wrist", thus relaying the importance of this connecting joint.
If your wrist has become sore, the obvious importance of this body part should indicate that it needs immediate treatment. If ignored, the condition may get worst. Future quality of life may be affected when dealing with pain from a tender wrist. The simplest of tasks may become impossible since the wrist pain will be ever-present. Since it's not safe to take too many over-the-counter drugs, seeking medical help to manage or repair the source of pain is imperative.
With such importance, you must always treat a sore wrist before it gets worst for many reasons. For one thing, your quality of life will be affected with the pain associated with a tender wrist. You probably will not be able to perform the simplest of tasks since wrist pain will be a constant presence in your life. Since taking too many over-the-counter painkillers is not good for your health, you have to seek medical opinion on how best to make the pain go away safely.
For another thing, your tender wrist can degenerate into something worse. Your painful wrist may be the precursor and/or the symptom of medical conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, gout and pseudo-gout, tendonitis, ganglion cysts and bone fractures and muscle sprains. You definitely will want to treat these disorders as soon as possible.
The at home elements for treating a sore wrist are meant to work in conjunction with medical care. The purpose of RICE treatment is to relieve pain and promote healing, while avoiding a recurring incidence of the injury. These treatments may apply to injuries or arthritis pain.
When performing at-home treatments for a sore wrist, your primary goal is to relieve the pain felt, promote the healing of the injury, and avoid the recurrence of said injury. This self-care treatment applies to almost all cases from repetitive stress injury to wrist trauma to arthritis-related wrist pain. * R stands for rest coupled with activity modification. You have to provide adequate rest for your injured wrist for at least 24-48 hours, which is called the critical period. Usually, your wrist will be encased in protective sheaths like a splint and/or sling. Plus, you have to modify your activities such that stress on the sore wrist is minimized during this period.
Ice and heat application may also help. Wondering which to use? Ice packs are used for acute (sudden) injuries, and heat pads for more chronic (ongoing) condition. Never leave ice pack on for more than 20 minutes each application.
* C stands for compression and cortisone injections. During early treatment, compression is used to keep the muscles and tendons as stable as possible. Of course, you have to make sure that your wrist does not become cold and blue from a too-tight compression bandage. Cortisone injections are administered by your doctor, which should treat the inflammation, if any, in a sore wrist.
* E stands for elevate. You have elevate your injured wrist higher than your heart, when and where possible. This can usually be done by placing pillows underneath your arms while sleeping.
Keep in mind that the RICE treatment protocol is applicable for first aid and after-care situations. As soon as you feel that your injured wrist is not responding to the RICE treatment, you must seek medical advice at once.
While it may not seem like a big deal today, a sore wrist may be a long term problem if ignored. Your livelihood - and even your life - may depend on how well your wrist is working. Keep it flexing at its best. - 29951
If your wrist has become sore, the obvious importance of this body part should indicate that it needs immediate treatment. If ignored, the condition may get worst. Future quality of life may be affected when dealing with pain from a tender wrist. The simplest of tasks may become impossible since the wrist pain will be ever-present. Since it's not safe to take too many over-the-counter drugs, seeking medical help to manage or repair the source of pain is imperative.
With such importance, you must always treat a sore wrist before it gets worst for many reasons. For one thing, your quality of life will be affected with the pain associated with a tender wrist. You probably will not be able to perform the simplest of tasks since wrist pain will be a constant presence in your life. Since taking too many over-the-counter painkillers is not good for your health, you have to seek medical opinion on how best to make the pain go away safely.
For another thing, your tender wrist can degenerate into something worse. Your painful wrist may be the precursor and/or the symptom of medical conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, gout and pseudo-gout, tendonitis, ganglion cysts and bone fractures and muscle sprains. You definitely will want to treat these disorders as soon as possible.
The at home elements for treating a sore wrist are meant to work in conjunction with medical care. The purpose of RICE treatment is to relieve pain and promote healing, while avoiding a recurring incidence of the injury. These treatments may apply to injuries or arthritis pain.
When performing at-home treatments for a sore wrist, your primary goal is to relieve the pain felt, promote the healing of the injury, and avoid the recurrence of said injury. This self-care treatment applies to almost all cases from repetitive stress injury to wrist trauma to arthritis-related wrist pain. * R stands for rest coupled with activity modification. You have to provide adequate rest for your injured wrist for at least 24-48 hours, which is called the critical period. Usually, your wrist will be encased in protective sheaths like a splint and/or sling. Plus, you have to modify your activities such that stress on the sore wrist is minimized during this period.
Ice and heat application may also help. Wondering which to use? Ice packs are used for acute (sudden) injuries, and heat pads for more chronic (ongoing) condition. Never leave ice pack on for more than 20 minutes each application.
* C stands for compression and cortisone injections. During early treatment, compression is used to keep the muscles and tendons as stable as possible. Of course, you have to make sure that your wrist does not become cold and blue from a too-tight compression bandage. Cortisone injections are administered by your doctor, which should treat the inflammation, if any, in a sore wrist.
* E stands for elevate. You have elevate your injured wrist higher than your heart, when and where possible. This can usually be done by placing pillows underneath your arms while sleeping.
Keep in mind that the RICE treatment protocol is applicable for first aid and after-care situations. As soon as you feel that your injured wrist is not responding to the RICE treatment, you must seek medical advice at once.
While it may not seem like a big deal today, a sore wrist may be a long term problem if ignored. Your livelihood - and even your life - may depend on how well your wrist is working. Keep it flexing at its best. - 29951
About the Author:
Tom Nicholson has spent years helping carpal tunnel sufferers. Please click here to learn more about having asore wrist.
