Crofton Health Clinic
88 Crofton Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1HD
88 Crofton Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1HD
Your health is your future...
The wrist is a joint made up of a connection of bones between the lower end of the forearm( Radius and Ulna) and two rows of small bones (Carpals), found before entering into the hand. There are muscles and Tendons that run through the wrist from the forearm and a lot of local Ligaments holding all those bones together. There is an important tunnel of connective tissue in the wrist where a lot of these and other structures such as Nerves and blood vessels have to run, in supplying the wrist and hand. The nerve supply comes from the neck.
One of the more recent areas of complaint with the wrist has arisen from the long term use of computers. This has led to an area of symptoms relating to Repetitive Strain Injuries (RPSI). These usually associate with long term repetition in movements, associated with the same body areas. Commonly affecting the elbows, wrists and hands. Sometimes the neck can become involved, which complicates matters. An experienced practitioner is required, to enable the diagnosis between symptoms from the neck and those from the wrist, due to both being able to give similar areas of pain.
The pain associated with RPSI’S can vary in severity, being localised to the wrist or affecting the elbows and hands. Sometimes pins and needles and numbness can occur, usually in the hand. If severe enough it can affect the strength of the hand. Due to the area being used throughout the day it can often become very painful at night.
Other common complaints relate to long term heavy use, loss of range of movement , stiffness and grinding noises particularly during wrist rotation, it can sometimes cause sharp catching pains as the joints in the wrist move against one another. These type of symptoms are often displayed in mid to later life depending on individuals lifestyle. Racquet style sports can put a lot of strain on the wrists.