It’s a well-known fact that the human body is considerably fragile, especially the bones, because when they’re affected, our movement is compromised. When you think about it, it’s even more dreadful when it happens to our hands and wrists because we won’t be able to reach for things. Among the many issues our hands and wrists can experience, tendonitis is arguably one of the worse.
Tendonitis occurs when tendons and various tissues experience inflammation due to an injury. It can affect any tendon, but the most common ones are those in the wrists of athletes, particularly tennis players and golfers. Tendonitis is also a massive risk because it can lead to other complications, such as rupturing the tendons. For this reason, one must be aware of the early warning signs of tendonitis, such as:
#1 – Ache or Pain around a Joint
If any joint in your body aches or burns, be it your thumb or wrist, you might be having tendonitis. It is also possible that a tendon has ruptured. This can happen when tendons are overused and not rested. When this happens, sharp pain around the joint area may cause even further damage and impair your mobility.
On a related note, tendonitis has been known to cause hand and wrist stiffness and tingling, burning, and numbness. What makes this even worse is that the symptoms are not limited to the hand and wrist but can spread throughout your entire arm.
#2 – Swelling or Inflammation of the Hand or Wrist
You might be in trouble if your hand is swollen. Inflammation can be a terrible sign because it represents the onset of a severe injury that can lead to life-altering consequences, especially for an athlete. Swelling also comes with pain, stiffness, and redness, and it is hard to rotate your wrist or move your fingers.
If the swelling is internal, the pain and inflammation can be even more intense and unbearable. You might even see some discoloration around the wrist and hand.
#3 – Restricted or Complete Loss of Motion
You should be alarmed whenever you experience pain when you move your hand or wrist because it can lead to severe complications. Specifically, restricted or complete loss of motion is a common symptom resulting from tendonitis caused by overuse, which is one of the reasons this condition is so dangerous.
Tendonitis can also lead to other conditions, such as ganglion cysts or bone spurs, both of which can cause the symptoms of tendonitis. For example, bone spurs can appear on the tendons that run through the wrist, which can cause pain and reduced motion. Furthermore, ganglion cysts can occur around the tendons in the wrist, which can narrow the space and cause inflammation.
Seeing a Doctor
If you have experienced any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. At the very least, you should have an x-ray to prevent a severe injury. It is best to talk to a doctor before starting any time-consuming activity like long-distance running or golfing. This is because overuse can lead to tendonitis, which can cause bruising, swelling, and even bone spurs.
If your tendonitis has caused you to feel pain or stiffness in your wrist, you should also see a doctor because it can also lead to rupture or other complications.
Beyond that, if you have experienced any of the above symptoms, you must consider getting a professional opinion. At the same time, you should not be alarmed because tendonitis can be resolved with an appointment.
Conclusion
Tendinitis can be a severe problem for athletes and someone who is otherwise fit and healthy, so you must be mindful of the early warning signs. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you need to get it checked. All that matters is seeing a doctor to determine the best course of action.
If you need help with wrist tendonitis treatment, North Florida Hand and Wrist can help you. We understand how the condition affects your quality of life, so our medical professionals will develop solutions to ensure that your tendonitis won’t last long. Simply go to our website to make an appointment!
