Physiotherapy for an inflammation of the wrist

Physiotherapy for wrist inflammation naturally has the primary goal of getting the inflammation under control and eliminating the problems that result for the patient. The basis for the success of physiotherapy treatment is to eliminate the cause that led to the development of the wrist inflammation. The exact contents of the physiotherapy for wrist inflammation can vary from one person to the next. This is because the treatment plan must always be adapted to the individual patient and his or her needs.

Therapy

In the case of wrist inflammation, the course of therapy can vary greatly. The decisive factor in the choice of a suitable therapy is the cause of the inflammation, the progress and duration of the inflammation, the patient’s age and previous illnesses, and the degree of limitation caused by the inflammation. The following articles may still be of interest to you: Physiotherapy for a mouse arm, physiotherapy for Sudeck’s disease

  • It is therefore important to first find out what caused the wrist inflammation and then eliminate the cause.

    If this is not always possible (e.g. rheumatism and arthrosis), then work must be done to improve the patient’s quality of life to such an extent that he or she can cope well with the wrist inflammation in everyday life.

  • Normally, an attempt is first made to treat wrist inflammation conservatively. In this case, physiotherapy takes a large part of the treatment. After the acute inflammation has subsided with pain and anti-inflammatory drugs and corresponding protection of the wrist, the main aim is to stabilize the wrist, make it mobile again and increase its resilience.

    Preventive measures to prevent a new inflammation are also part of the therapy. In addition to massages to loosen tense muscles and targeted pain therapy, passive exercises for mobilization, cold (or in the case of chronic inflammation also heat applications) for pain relief and the application of special tape bandages to stabilize and relieve the joint, the main focus is on a series of different stretching, strengthening and mobilization exercises. The treating physiotherapist will put together a selection of exercises tailored to the patient, which he or she can also perform at home on their own initiative.

  • If conservative therapy does not have the desired success, it may be advisable to consider wrist surgery.

    Depending on the cause, various surgical procedures can be considered. However, these are usually all minimally invasive procedures and are performed on an outpatient basis. After the operation, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy to bring the wrist back to the stresses and strains of everyday life and ensure a good healing process.