In the case of injuries to the wrist – such as a fracture caused by trauma, a sprain, degenerative changes or a nerve lesion such as in carpal tunnel syndrome – it is particularly important to maintain and restore the functionality of the wrist as best as possible through targeted physiotherapy. Our wrist is a particularly demanding joint. On the one hand, we need it in everyday life for fine-coordination tasks.
Preparing food, eating, driving and also professional activities often require precise mobility of the wrist. Other tasks, such as carrying objects, lifting, holding a pet leash or gardening are activities that demand strength from our wrist. In order to function in everyday life, the wrist has to meet various requirements. It is therefore not only subjected to different types of stress, but in the event of malfunction it can also contribute to considerable hindrance in the performance of activities of everyday life and thus lead to a reduction in quality of life. Through a targeted physiotherapeutic treatment with passive therapy techniques and an active exercise program, the functional ability should be restored as well as possible.
Contents of the physiotherapy
The contents of the therapy are adapted to the patient to the highest degree. They continue to depend on the type of injury and on the doctor’s approval of the load. A craftsman is treated differently than someone who works at a computer.
A piano player must practice differently than a bricklayer. The emphasis is placed on the load the hand is expected to perform in everyday life. Nevertheless, the activities of everyday life, such as hygiene, eating and the like, are still the first priority.
For this purpose, the mobility of the wrist is first trained again. The wrist can be moved in different directions. The bending and stretching of the wrist is called palmar flexion and dorsal extension.
The bending to the side is called ulnar abduction (the hand moves towards the little finger side) and radial abduction (the hand moves towards the thumb side). The rotation of the palm (pro- and supination) is done from the joints of the forearm and elbow, but can still be limited if the wrist is injured. Through various exercises, all these directions of movement can be practiced in combination or in isolation.
Contents of the therapy can be:
- Support training
- Coordination training
- Strengthening exercises
- Fasciae and scar mobilization
- Heat and cold therapy
Another important aspect of physiotherapy for wrist problems is support. In everyday life we have to support ourselves on our hand or push something away with it. This strain compresses the wrist and can cause pain.
Through targeted training, the muscles can be strengthened so that less stress is placed on the passive structures of the joint – ligaments, cartilage and bones are thus less stressed. Support training can also be considered for instability in the wrist. In addition to mobility and support strength, coordination is also important.
Coordination can best be trained with exercises that come closest to the requirement that is to be performed later. Near the wrist, almost all tendons of the finger muscles and their nerves run. Depending on the type of damage, wrist injuries can also affect the finger and hand muscles.
Physiotherapy for wrist injuries should also include making or keeping them functional. Strengthening the hand is particularly important for people who work hard. Specific strengthening exercises should be built into the therapy.
The strength of the fingers can also be part of the physiotherapy. If an injury has taken place, where scarring has occurred, it is important in physiotherapy to keep the tissue mobile and supple. Fasciae and scar mobilisation are intended to loosen and prevent adhesions.
Stretching can mobilize shortened muscles again, e.g. after immobilization. Heat and cold therapy can also be part of the physiotherapy for wrist injuries. Electrotherapy and the application of tape bandages can be integrated into physiotherapy depending on the indication. A mobilization of the nerves may be necessary to alleviate possible sensory disturbances or pareses of the musculature. The content of physiotherapy depends on the cause of the wrist injury.For specific information about physiotherapy we recommend our main page: Physiotherapy Hand
