The wrist joint is made of 4 of the small carpal wrist bones where they meet the forearm bones called the radius and the ulna. The wrist moves in multiple planes of motion: up, down, left, right and circles (called circumduction). In order for the wrist to have so much range of motion, there are numerous tendons that cross it. The muscles are in the forearm but the tendons cross the wrist joint so that they can cause the hand to move. With repetitive motion, the tendons can rub on the tissues that create their gliding tunnel. Also, when a wrist has become arthritic the tendons may rub against bony spurs or gliding surfaces that are no longer smooth. Irritation of the tendon can lead to inflammation at the tendon and eventual tendinitis.
The result of overuse, rubbing or inflammation at the wrist is an acute injury and is commonly called tendinitis. Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of the tendon that will usually last for 1-2 weeks after injury. If it doesn’t respond to conservative treatment within two weeks, scar tissue can begin to form within the tendon, leading to the condition of tendinosis. Tendinosis is an advanced state of injury and may lead to having surgical repair of the tendon. Acute tendinitis responds well to anti-inflammatory methods such as ice and rest but tendinosis does not.

• Adults over 40
• In those with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis
• Repetitive strain (work or recreational tasks)
• Direct trauma
• Prolonged compression (in a cast or brace)

• pain with motion
• inflammation
• good response to anti-inflammatory method
• decline in functional task tolerance
• pain that shoots up the side of the thumb and arm with any activity that requires the hand to open
• dropping objects
• “toothache-type” pain to the side of the thumb and wrist

• X-ray
• MRI scan
• Ultrasound

• When working at a computer desk, use ergonomic principles to reduce side-to-side motion of the wrist, reduce thumb opening and closing and encourage rest breaks from typing or mousing.
• Before and between work activities, do light stretching of the wrist and forearm to prepare the muscles for work.
• Keep the hands and wrists warm as cold tends to increase the risk of tendon irritation. When the wrist becomes painful, seek attention within the first 2 weeks so that the inflammation can be addressed before it becomes chronic.

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