[19M] Experiencing intermittent wrist pain without injury

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible explanations for your wrist pain include:

• Overuse Injury: This can occur when you perform repetitive movements, such as playing the piano or doing push-ups. Over time, these activities can cause damage to the tissues in your wrist, leading to pain.

  • Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Over-the-counter pain relievers may also help. Physical therapy can be beneficial in some cases.

• Tendonitis: This is inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. It's often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, or from a sudden more serious injury.

  • Treatment usually involves rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Physical therapy can also be beneficial.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand. It happens because of pressure on your median nerve, which runs the length of your arm, goes through a passage in your wrist called the carpal tunnel, and ends in your hand.

  • Treatment options include wrist splinting, medications, and surgery.

Remember, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

What you can do

Here are some things you can do to manage your symptoms:

1. Rest your wrist and avoid activities that make your symptoms worse.
2. Apply ice to your wrist for 15 minutes once an hour to reduce inflammation.
3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve), to reduce pain and inflammation.
4. Wear a wrist brace or splint to stabilize your wrist and reduce the chance of further injury.
5. Do gentle wrist stretches to improve flexibility and reduce pain.

What you should look out for

Here are some signs that you should seek immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain and swelling
• An obvious deformity or protrusion in your wrist
• Inability to move your wrist — this might be a sign of a broken bone
• Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in your wrist, or a fever
• Wrist pain even when you're not using your hand or wrist

Remember, I'm an AI and this advice is based on the information you've given me. It's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.