While the fingers may be the star of the dexterity show, the wrist is the supporting actor that helps to position the hands precisely where you need them to do their jobs. https://evolveny.com/blogposts/2021/3/04/can-physical-therapy-help-my-wrist

1. CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP MY WRIST?
ACU TE AN D CH RON IC WRIS T IN JU RIES N EED A LITTLE H ELP TOO
Most humans are born with hands that
we use constantly throughout the day.
While the fingers may be the star of the
dexterity show, the wrist is the
supporting actor that helps to position
the hands precisely where you need
them to do their jobs. Because of its
important role in hand function, you can
imagine the muscles, tendons,
ligaments, and bones of the wrist take on
a lot of stress. Sometimes that stress
can become too much for tissues to
adapt to, leading to symptoms of pain,
numbness, tingling and discomfort.
Whether you are a new parent holding an
infant, a graduate student burning the
midnight oil at your keyboard or a
gymnast handstand walking across the
gym, chronic wrist conditions can put a real damper on performance. While the wait
and see approach might lead to resolution in some instances, there is no reason to live
with chronic wrist pain or discomfort. Just as knees, backs and necks sometimes need
physical therapy, the wrist responds very well to physical therapy treatment.
We now know that PTs can help improve chronic wrist symptoms, but what about an
acute injury? In physical therapy school they teach us a term called FOOSH. You may
have no idea what it stands for but I have no doubt you have done it before. In fact
you’ve probably done it almost every time you’ve fallen. FOOSH stands for fall on an
outstretched hand--the automatic protective reflex we all have to extend our arms out
in front of us to break a fall. While this action often protects our heads, chests and
other body parts from the trauma of a fall, the quick transfer of force through the hand
and forearm can cause sprains and fractures of the wrist. Trauma to the wrist can occur
from a fall, from a workplace or sports injury. In severe cases surgery may be needed
but in all cases physical therapy can help to support the healing tissues and facilitate
the return of normal strength, stability and mobility of the wrist.
A CLOS ER LOOK AT WRIS T S PRAIN S AN D FRACTU RES
The wrist includes the two bones of the forearm called the radius and ulna which allow
for supination and pronation--movements that translate the hand from a palm up to a
palm down position and back. It also includes two rows of four small carpal bones at
the base of the hand. The position of these joints allow for flexion and extension of the
wrist up and down and what is called radial and ulnar deviation that bend the wrist to
the left and right. At the base of the thumb is a special joint called a saddle joint where
the long metacarpal bone of the hand meets the carpal bones of the wrist and it allows
for multiplanar movement of the thumb.
A fall or sudden impact can cause a fracture to the bone or a sprain of the ligaments
supporting the bones. When a fracture occurs, if the alignment of the bones remains
intact, splinting or casting may be enough to allow the bones to heal. If the bone
fragments are out of place then surgical fixation may be necessary to ensure proper
healing.
MARCH 4, 2022
SPRAINS, STRAINS AND PAINS IN THE WRIST:
A PHYSICAL THERAPIST’S APPROACH
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During the initial phases of healing the wrist itself will likely be immobilized. If it is a
sprain, the duration of immobilization will depend on the severity of the sprain and how
many fibers are torn (Grade I, II or III sprain). Once the bone or ligaments have healed
sufficiently the cast or splint will be removed. Joint stiffness, muscle weakness and
atrophy are common after immobilization but restoring full function of the wrist is
essential to resuming normal activities and preventing the development of chronic
injuries that may result from persisting strength or flexibility impairments.
Your physical therapist will assess the strength of wrist muscles including grip
strength. They will measure your wrist range of motion and assess for residual pain and
swelling. Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, dry needling or ice may
be used initially to manage pain and swelling and to promote tissue healing. Manual
therapy techniques such as joint or soft tissue mobilization may be applied by your
therapist with his or her hands to gently improve the flexibility and movement of joint
and soft tissue structures.
You will also be given a series of graded exercises such as stretches to restore
flexibility of the wrist. Progressive resistance exercises with bands, putty or dumbbells,
for example, will help increase the strength of the wrist muscles. Later in your
rehabilitation you will perform functional exercises specific to the tasks you do in your
daily life such as weight bearing through the hands, manipulating tools or performing
certain sports drills to prepare you for return to full activity.
WH AT ABOU T TH OS E CH RON IC CON DITION S ?
Repetitive use injuries are fairly common in the wrist. Poor biomechanics or lack of
sufficient strength and flexibility are often major contributing factors. While the
mechanism of injury may be different, the treatment for chronic wrist conditions
contains many of the same elements outlined above. Manual therapy techniques and
modalities may be used to manage pain and inflammation in early stages. Special care
will be taken to address strength and flexibility issues at the wrist but also in the hand,
elbow and shoulder and you will learn about how to optimize your movement patterns
to lessen the stress and strain on the wrist structures.
BELOW YOU WILL FIN D A LIS T OF S OME COMMON WRIS T CON DITION S TH AT
PH YS ICAL TH ERAPIS TS OFTEN TREAT:
Carpal Tunnel: caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms
include pain, numbness and weakness in the wrist and hand. Surgical intervention may
be needed in addition to PT in severe cases. Jobs that require repetitive movements of
the wrist or fingers, awkward positioning of the hands or mechanical stress on the
palm of the hand put you at risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis: pain and inflammation in the tendons that run from the
wrist to the thumb. This condition is caused by repeated wrist or hand movements.
Sometimes called “mother’s thumb” because it is common in parents who are holding
infants for long periods of time.
Tendinopathies/tendonitis: any repetitive wrist motion can cause irritation and
inflammation of one of the many tendons that cross the wrist. Often biomechanical or
movement errors, muscle strength and length asymmetries or insufficiencies are an
underlying cause. Pain is usually described as a dull ache that can interfere with your
activities. Tenderness, mild swelling and general weakness may also be present.
LET US HELP YOU GET ON THE ROAD TO HEALING
Physical therapy is an excellent treatment option for acute and chronic wrist pain and
injuries. Through a thorough assessment and evaluation, a physical therapist at Evolve
can get to the root of your problem and develop a plan of care that will not only treat
your symptoms but help prevent future injuries.
Click here for more information about physical therapy for your wrists
ABOU T EVOLVEN Y-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical
Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy,
there’s training, and then there’s
EVOLVE. We use the science of
biomechanics merged with fitness to
help our patients get better and stay
better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their
goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core
techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance
physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
Multiple Locations!
1-718-258-3300
https://EvolveNY.com
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