Three reasons you have wrist popping and pain

From driving to preparing a meal to doing pretty much any job, we need properly functioning wrists. However, since we put so much stress on these relatively delicate and intricate joints, wrist problems can be a frequent occurrence. One of the most frequently encountered concerns is wrist popping and pain. 

The popping sensation, also known as crepitus, is frequently caused by a buildup of gas between joints, but it can also be related to tendons, ligaments or other soft tissue rubbing over bone. A common guideline is that popping sensations shouldn’t be cause for concern unless they are accompanied by pain. That’s why if you are dealing with persistent wrist popping and pain you should seek attention from a qualified professional. 

To help you work more closely with your treatment team, we want to help you better understand some of the more common causes of wrist pain and associated symptoms such as popping. 

Common causes of wrist popping and pain

Patients complaining of these specific symptoms may be diagnosed with one of the following conditions: 

1. Arthritis — Crepitus is a frequent symptom of osteoarthritis and other forms of this inflammatory condition. Other issues include stiffness, soreness and aches. 
2. Carpal tunnel syndrome — Inflammation of the narrow carpal tunnels in the wrist can contribute to popping in addition to pain caused by nerve compression.
3. Tendinitis — The tendons that connect the muscles in the wrist are put under tremendous stress on a daily basis. In addition to pain, these injured tendons can also cause popping sensations with certain movements. 

Depending on the specific condition and your medical history, there are a number of effective treatment options for wrist popping and pain. 

Working with a physical therapist for wrist relief

Physical therapy is a discipline that can help you effectively manage your wrist pain and other related symptoms. Your therapist can identify many of the mechanical contributors to your injury or condition and design a comprehensive plan to help you address them and manage symptoms. With therapeutic exercises and manual therapy, you can develop stronger and more resilient hands, wrists and forearms while also modifying your activities to alleviate the stress you put on them daily. 

At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, our highly skilled clinical team has decades of experience in addressing wrist pain at the source and helping patients significantly improve their quality of life. Take back your life from wrist popping and pain; contact us today and schedule your initial appointment.