Pain after an accident

Pain in the wrist can often be attributed to accidents and falls. Forearm fractures near the wrist are one of the most common fractures in humans. The course of the accident is typical support for falls, which can break the radius and other structures of the wrist.

Any bone damage must be diagnosed in the X-ray image. Cartilage damage or torn ligaments can also be caused by the accident. These can be visualized by means of an MRI image or arthroscopy. If there is a clear injury to the wrist structures, surgery may be necessary to restore the stability of the joint.

Diagnostics for carpal pain

A diagnosis can often be made on the basis of existing symptoms. However, imaging techniques should be used to confirm the diagnosis. Bony structures can be identified on an X-ray image.

However, MRI images of the wrist should be taken to assess tendons or to detect inflammation. In the case of arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint, an inflammation in the area of the joint can be detected and, depending on the progress of the disease, a change in the bone structure can also be detected. In order to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome, the nerve conduction velocity should be measured in addition to various movement tests to check the functionality.

This is the only way to determine the function of the nerve. Tendinitis and neuralgia can usually be identified by the typical symptoms. In addition, imaging techniques can be used here to rule out other diseases or bone involvement.

Therapy

Arthrosis of the thumb saddle joint cannot be cured because it is a chronic disease in which bone is worn away by increasing friction. First, the thumb saddle joint is immobilized by a splint and anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of ointments or tablets are prescribed to relieve pain. If the pain increases, a direct cortisone injection into the joint can help.

If pain recurs repeatedly or if these therapeutic approaches do not lead to any improvement, surgery should be considered. In this procedure, the joint bone causing the pain is removed and the functionality of the joint is restored. In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the first step is to try to relieve the symptoms with immobilization and anti-inflammatory medication.

If this does not have the desired effect, an operation should be performed in which the ligament structure that forms the carpal tunnel, the ligamentum carpi transversum, is split so that the nerve is no longer compressed. Tendinitis is also treated by immobilization, anti-inflammatory treatment and additionally by cooling. In severe cases where chronic inflammation occurs, surgery should also be considered.

The neuralgia is treated depending on the cause. If there is a nerve disorder underlying the disease, it must be treated. To relieve the pain, a local anesthetic can be injected to numb the affected nerve.