Wrist Pain and Injury | Elastoplast – Wrist pain can be the result of a sports injury, or everyday activities like typing, writing & gardening. Find out how to manage common wrist injuries here.

If you or a child is experiencing wrist pain it can be difficult to identify the type and/or severity, so its important that the wrist is examined and attended to by a qualified physician as a priority.  
Wrist pain diagnosis is dependent on the severity of the injury. Wrist injury symptoms can include:

• Tenderness, bruising, warmth, and inflammation at the wrist
• Distorted Joints and an inability to move the wrist
• The feeling of a popping or tearing sensation in the wrist
• Difficulty making a fist or gripping objects  

You experience wrist pain when you damage the bones, muscles, ligaments, or connective tissue surrounding the wrist. The main reasons for wrist pain includes;

1. A sudden fall or accident. The most common reaction to falling is throwing out your hands to take the hit. The impact from hitting the floor usually bends your wrist backwards which can overstretch and sometimes tear the ligaments inside.
   


2. Repetitive stress at work. If you type, hand write or carry out a task with your hands or arms repeatedly for work, you might also start to experience wrist pain.
   


3. Joint overuse during sport. If you play a racquet sport, netball, basketball or volleyball, this could be the cause of your wrist pain. During a particularly strenuous training session or game, you could overstretch or wear out your wrist joint.
   


4. Damage from disease. Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, carpal tunnel syndrome and DeQuervain's disease are the most severe causes of pain in the wrist. It’s crucial to refer yourself to a specialist physician if you suspect you might have one of the above diseases. Tumours in and around your hand are a very rare cause of wrist pain.

Your first point of call should be to a qualified physician. Immediately following the accident, follow and apply the RICER protocol to the affected area:

Rest – rest the wrist and avoid moving the injured arm.

Ice – Ice the wrist by applying a cold pack to injury for 20 minutes at regular intervals to help reduce discomfort.

Compression – Gently strap the wrist with some Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape and overwrap the tape with an Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage to gently apply compression to the affected area.

Elevation – Elevate the wrist above the heart or on a pillow as often as possible.

Referral – Refer yourself or the injured child to a qualified physician for accurate diagnosis and further care and treatment advice.

Wrist pain can be difficult to prevent since casual injuries are usually caused by accidents. However, you should always try to exercise safely and be prepared before playing sport.

Avoid Falling – It sounds simple but wearing sensible shoes, ensuring you exercise and work in enough light as well as being extra careful when walking or exercising in wet or slippery conditions will help prevent you from sustaining an injury.

Understand Ergonomics - Keep your wrist, hand and arms in a comfortable elevated position when typing or performing other repetitive movements. Remember to take regular breaks too.

Protect Yourself - Wear an Elastoplast Sport Adjustable Wrist Support for relief and support when you exercise and play sport, or an Elastoplast Sport Everyday Wrap around Wrist Support. These may help prevent the wrist from bending backward during a fall. 

Tape your thumb in four easy steps. Strapping wrists with preventative thumb taping will aid in reducing wrist swelling and wrist pain from tendonitis or provide support following a sprain.