Definition
If wrists are swollen, this can be attributed to fluid that for various reasons remains in the tissue of the wrist or in the hand in general. This can be blood, for example, which can drain more poorly, or lymph fluid. In addition, the wrist can be swollen when it is inflamed, as a result of illness (either local or affecting the whole body) or due to injuries and damage to the hand. It is important to distinguish whether only one wrist is swollen or several joints, possibly even (almost) all joints and regions. How quickly the swelling occurs, how long it lasts and whether it occurs regularly depends on the problem that has led to the swelling.
Causes
The causes of a swollen hand are manifold. If not only the wrist is swollen, edema (fluid retention) can be caused by inadequate drainage. This happens when the kidneys or the heart, the driving force of the circulation, no longer function properly.
A protein deficiency (hypalbuminemia) as well as a vascular problem such as thrombosis (a vessel occlusion) or a functional disorder of the veins can also lead to visible swelling. Also an underactive thyroid gland can be the cause. This can be both chronic and acute.
In these diseases of the entire organism, however, swellings can usually be found (also) on the legs. If only one wrist is swollen, these reasons are rather unlikely. Then a local problem can be the reason for the swelling.
A possible cause is trauma of the hand, i.e. wounds, sprains, broken bones or bruises. These can lead to swelling. An inflammation, for example due to an infection of the skin, muscles (myositis), tendons (tendinitis) or bones (osteomyelitis) can also cause swelling of the wrist.
It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to a substance or something you have touched before. You should also check your wrist for puncture wounds, an allergic reaction to a wasp sting or similar is possible. A blood clot in a vessel can obstruct the drainage and cause swelling.
The outflow can also be disturbed during or as a result of burns or scalding. This disease, also called tendovaginitis, is an inflammatory reaction of the sheathing of long tendons. It usually occurs during repetitive, monotonous strain on the hand, such as desk work or screws.
The swelling is painful, especially during movement. Sometimes crunching noises can be triggered when the tendon rubs against knotty thickenings of the tendon sheath (crepitations). The best way to treat tendon sheath inflammation is to relieve and spare the affected hand.
Glucocorticoids (cortisone) can also be injected into the tendon sheath. However, this should not be repeated. If the tendon sheath inflammation persists for a long time, a longitudinal splitting of the tendon sheath can be performed surgically.
Swollen wrists after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery are not uncommon. Every surgical procedure is accompanied by injuries to the skin, soft tissues and surrounding anatomical structures. This is an unavoidable side effect of surgical procedures.
In order to keep the swelling, which in most cases is caused by bruising, as low as possible, small blood vessels are electrically sclerosed during the operation. In addition, a drainage can be inserted in the operating room, which sucks the blood out of the operating area in the first postoperative days. The bruising can be additionally minimized by immobilization, cooling and a compression bandage after the operation.
Depending on the severity of the haematoma, the swelling with the accompanying pain can be completely reduced within a few days to weeks. In rare cases with particularly severe swelling, a new operation with hemostasis is unavoidable. Even a fall can typically cause swelling of the hands and wrists.
Even if there are no obvious injuries to bones, joints, muscles and tendons, smaller soft tissues may be injured by the fall and bleeding may occur on the wrist. These consequently manifest themselves as swollen wrists.Depending on the severity of the soft-tissue injury, the swelling can recede within a short time, rarely a puncture is necessary to drain the effusion. To reduce the risk of swelling after a harmless fall, it is recommended to immobilize the wrist in a pressure bandage and to cool it down.
An insect bite can typically cause localized but also generalized swelling of the skin of the entire body. The wrists are a common site for insect bites as they are largely uncovered. The toxins and pathogens transmitted during the bite cause local inflammatory reactions that lead to swelling.
If there is an allergy to the insect venom, the swelling can be particularly pronounced. In severe cases, insect bites trigger severe allergic reactions with wheals all over the body, enormous itching, breathing and circulation problems. Cooling, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory ointments can be used to treat all insect bites.
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