What shall i do about my wrist injury?!


Question: What shall i do about my wrist injury?
I am 19 years old and before my injury i was very active. I am not sure what is the problem with my wrist. Personally i think it may be tendonitis or carpal tunnel sydrome but i am no doctor. Okay i'm not sure now but I think it's been about 12/15 weeks since my wrist swelled up i think it was after circuits with a lot of press ups involved. originally i couldnt put any weight on it at all for about 2 months, but since then i feel no immediate pain when doing a press up or other similar excersises (just a little tender after but i dont know whether that is just because i have been resting my wrist and its weak). i have attempted the gym three times since the problem started the two most recent times i had a little pain afterwards but thought it would be best to rest further as it is still quite swollen. I was doing a lot of boxing, chest exercises and upper body work at the time of injury so i assume its some kind of overuse injury. My boxing form was probably bad as well. I don't have perfect form in the gym either, its not bad but its not perfect and a lot of the time i use heavy weights. for example i weigh around 75 KG and i bench press 26KG dumbbells for 6 reps which is probably a little too much for me but i make sure things beat me so perhaps i over do it. I play a lot of piano, guitar and xbox. i had ibuprofen which brought my swelling down a fair bit.
my wrist is still swollen and now when im not doing weights or anything strenuous i have no pain. the doctor told me there was no break and to ease back into the gym but i am very wary as to injure it further. I have an x ray which came back fine.
i have done the phalens test with no numbness or pain just a tight feeling around my thumb.
would it be okay to do wrist strengthening physio excersises if its still swollen?
and what specialist should i go see if the problem persists?

the swelling on the diagram link is on the furthest right two tendon sheaths just under my thumb and is a little bigger than my thumbprint http://www.lportho.com/images/wrist_diagram_sm.gif

Answers:

I agree with your doctor. These are the reasons why:

- X-ray contrasted negative, rulling out tendonitis or ligament tears. This also can rule out arthritic problems like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

- Your wrist is fairly mobile even though you have had swelling that has caused it to be hard to move.

I don't think anything is physiological wrong, rather I believe your wrist is being overworked. You really do need to take it easy at the gym as you are probably tearing some sheaths overlapping your ligaments and your tendons, of which is normal but should not be overdone. If this continues you will eventually make your wrist weak and incapable of healing normally, thus requiring surgery.

As far as specialists are concerned, I wouldn't go. The first question they will ask you is "Why are you here?" They will also ask if you saw your primary physician... once they've learned your x-ray is normal, they will send you home with the same advice as your primary care.

In the mean time, do simple exercises. Do not overdo it! Otherwise, your wrist should be okay.

Best regards,

Justin C.

DISCLAIMER: This advice is given only as directional and should not substitute the advice of your regular doctor.

Biochemistry Major, Pre-Med Student




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