The wrist is made of eight small bones and several ligaments, tendons and a couple of bursae. The works that involve movement throughout the day is done by the wrist. Common normal activities such as tying shoes, door opening, putting on clothing, food preparation, and athletes engaged in regular sports activities can become a major problem when the most important part of the body, such as a wrist, is aching.
Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa. The bursa is a small fluid-filled sac along the joints and which acts as a cushion for the joint.
The bursa is a sac which is filled with lubricating fluid that is located between tissues such as muscles, tendons, skin, and bones, which reduce irritation and friction between the tissues. The bursa causes pain in the wrist when it is allowed to undergo continuous trauma, leading to swelling and inflammation. This could strongly affect athletes such as cyclists who often put all the weight of their body on their hands.
What are the Causes of Wrist Bursitis?
Below are some common causes of wrist bursitis:
• An irritation or inflammation occurs when there is a direct hit to the bursa.
• Wrist bursitis occurs easily and it is common among elderly individuals.
• Falling down, putting weight on the bursa or wrist may result in wrist bursitis.
• Bursitis wrists can also cause pressure on the bursa when using the wrist.
• Sports activities such as badminton, throwing or pitching, biking, skiing, baseball, golf, raking, and tennis can also cause wrist bursitis.
• Recurrent activities for example shoveling, gardening and painting can also be the major cause of developing wrist bursitis.
• Individuals with medical history are at higher risk of developing wrist bursitis wrists. Examples of such condition include thyroid disease, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.
What are the Symptoms of Wrist Bursitis?
• Tenderness over the tendons of the wrist.
• Swelling in the wrist.
• Redness over the area of the wrist.
• Pain is experienced while doing some activities that exert pressure on the bursa such as writing and typing.
• There will be pain when doing some activity that put pressure on the tendons that are lubricated by the bursa.
• Stiffness in the joints of the wrist.
• There can be pain in the hand.
• The pain will be aggravated during movements that involve the wrist.
• Warmth over the area of the wrist.
• Development of a little lump in the top part of the wrist could be noticed which may be tender to touch.
• There will be pain when the wrist is bent backward and also when weight is applied on the wrist.
Wrist Bursitis Treatment
Treatment for Wrist Bursitis requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your wrist. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your wrist to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
