What to know about wrist tendonitis

Tendons are thick, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones.
Tendonitis can occur as a result of an injury or repetitive motion that causes the tendon to rub against other bodily tissues, such as bone.
A person's wrist contains many tendons. Together, they allow movement of the wrist, hand, and fingers. Tendonitis can develop in any of the tendons in the wrist as a result of injury or overuse.
Keep reading for more information on the symptoms and causes of wrist tendonitis and the treatment options available.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of wrist tendonitis is pain. The pain may be dull, and it may worsen with movement of the wrist.
Other potential symptoms of wrist tendonitis include:

• warmth and redness
• swelling and inflammation, which can reduce the mobility of the wrist and make repetitive activities, such as texting or typing, more difficult
• a grinding sensation or creaking noise when moving the wrist
• weakness in the wrist

• Causes

  The most common causes of wrist tendonitis are repetitive movement and overuse, for example, due to:
• typing and using a computer mouse
• playing video games
• texting
• writing with a pen and paper
• performing repetitive physical tasks, such as hammering or chopping wood
• playing sports that require the use of the wrists

The following factors may also cause or contribute to wrist tendonitis:

• age
• poor posture in the wrists
• poorly aligned joints
• an acute injury from a fall or other impact
• diabetes

• Prevention

  The following tips can help people prevent wrist tendonitis:
• avoiding repetitive activities that can cause or contribute to wrist tendonitis, where possible
• taking regular breaks during repetitive activities that involve the wrists
• wearing supporting braces when doing a repetitive task, such as typing, or other activities that may put a strain on the wrists
• performing exercises to stretch the wrists