Pulling files out of the cupboard, holding a heavy pan – for some people with weak or aching wrists, these tasks are difficult or even impossible. What's to blame and how should we all be taking care of these vital joints? Berlin (dpa) - It may be difficult for you - perhaps even painful - to do things like pulling folders out of a filing cabinet, holding a heavy pan with one hand or unscrewing a bottle top. Why are your wrists so weak? And what can you do to remedy the problem? Using your smartphone and a computer mouse less frequently can help spare your wrists, as "repetitive motions can overstrain them, causing inflammation of the tendon sheaths and pain," says Dr Tim Tobias Lögters, head of the wrist surgery division of the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU). Lögters estimates that roughly half of all wrist problems after age 40 are due to injuries, and the majority of the rest to disease. What causes wrist problems for people aged 40 and over? There are a number of possible causes of wrist pain and dysfunction besides inflamed tendons. "For one thing, people over 40 can suffer from constricted nerve canals, often experiencing tingling in their fingers, especially at night," says Lögters. The affected areas are the thumb, index, middle and half of the ring finger. A cyst in the wrist joint capsule is a further possible cause. "How clearly they can be seen varies, with sizes ranging from that of a millet grain to a pea or plum pit," Lögters says. Known as ganglion cysts, they can arise when pressure on the joint causes excess joint fluid - aka synovial fluid - to protrude from the capsule. Another common cause of wrist pain is wear and tear on the joint over time, leading to osteoarthritis. Moving the wrist is then often painful. "In cases of a fracture, pain is typically felt when the wrist is at rest too," Lögters says. What should you do following a wrist injury? It's important to have acute pain along with any other problems checked by a medical specialist - an orthopaedist or trauma surgeon - according to Lögters, warning that "apparently minor injuries can also result in structural damage, for example to ligaments. Sometimes symptoms don't appear until years later." This is why, he says, it's a good idea to see a specialist even if a wrist injury doesn't cause acute pain. While it's OK to immobilize an injured wrist for up to two weeks, this is "by no means a long-term solution," Lögters says. On the contrary, movement can help to strengthen the surrounding muscles, tendons, joint and even bone structure, he notes, all of which is important for the wrist's suppleness. What can you do to help prevent wrist problems? Lögters recommends eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise focused particularly on functional, holistic fitness. "By strengthening your neck and back muscles, you'll also do your wrists good," he says, "because a strong musculature can also help strengthen nerve pathways." The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn mod yyzz a3 tsn rid ob (The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)
