Wrist tendonitis is pain and irritation of one or more tendons around the wrist. It usually develops gradually from repetitive use, gripping, typing, racket sports, weight training, or manual work. Although commonly called tendonitis, many longer-term cases are better described as wrist tendinopathy where degeneration rather than inflamation is likely.
Wrist tendonitis symptoms
Symptoms of wrist tendonitis include:
- Gradual onset wrist pain
- Pain that gets worse with gripping, lifting, typing, or sport
- Tenderness when pressing over the affected tendon
- Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning
- Mild swelling over the painful tendon
- Weakness or pain when moving the wrist against resistance
- A creaking or grating sensation, known as crepitus, in some cases
Pain may occur on the thumb side, little finger side, front, or back of the wrist depending on which tendon is affected.
When to see a doctor
Seek medical advice if:
- Pain follows a fall or direct impact
- You have severe swelling or deformity
- You cannot move the wrist or grip properly
- You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand
- Symptoms do not improve after two to three weeks of self-care
- Pain keeps returning when you resume sport or work
Causes of wrist tendonitis
Wrist tendonitis is usually an overuse injury. Repeated wrist movements cause the tendon to become irritated, especially where it passes over bone or through a tendon sheath.
Common causes include:
- Racket sports such as badminton, tennis, and squash
- Gym exercises and weight training
- Repetitive gripping or lifting
- Typing, mouse use, or phone use
- Manual work or production line jobs
- Sudden increase in activity
- Poor technique or reduced wrist strength
Wrist tendonitis is different from a wrist sprain. A sprain injures a ligament, which connects bone to bone. Tendonitis affects a tendon, which connects muscle to bone.
Tendonitis or tendinopathy?
The word tendonitis means inflammation of a tendon. However, many chronic tendon injuries show little true inflammation. Instead, the tendon becomes overloaded and starts to degenerate. This is called tendinopathy. In practice, the symptoms are similar. Treatment still focuses on reducing pain, avoiding aggravating activities, and gradually restoring strength.
Treatment
Rest from painful activities, especially gripping, lifting, or repetitive wrist movements. Do not keep pushing through pain, as this may delay recovery and make the injury harder to treat.
Wear a wrist splint or support to limit movement and reducine strain on the tendon. This is useful if you still need to use your hands for work or daily activities.
Apply cold therapy for 10 to 15 minutes at a time if the wrist is painful or swollen. Use a towel between the ice pack and your skin. For longer-term stiffness, gentle heat may feel more comfortable before exercises.
Anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, may help in the short term. Do not take ibuprofen if you have asthma, stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or if your doctor has advised you not to use it.
As pain settles, begin gentle mobility exercises, followed by progressive strengthening exercises. A physiotherapist or sports injury professional can help identify the affected tendon and guide your rehabilitation.
Injections and surgery
If symptoms do not improve with rest, splinting, and rehabilitation, a doctor may suggest a corticosteroid injection. These can reduce pain and inflammation around the tendon sheath, but repeated injections may weaken tendon tissue.
Surgery is rarely needed. It may be considered if the tendon is trapped, restricted within its sheath, or symptoms continue despite a full course of conservative treatment.
