WRIST PAIN PHYSICIAN IN CHARLESTON, SC
Wrist pain can have many causes, often making it difficult to diagnose. While some pain is injury-related, other cases involve long-term conditions, like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Because relief and healing start with an accurate diagnosis, our wrist pain physicians work to determine the root cause of your pain. To get started, schedule your appointment today at Pain Specialists of Charleston.
Our board-certified doctors are here to help, available five days a week. With quality, convenient care as our goal, our medical team focuses on providing the much-needed relief you deserve. We’re located here at home in Charleston, SC, so schedule an appointment today!
No Referral Needed — Same Day Appointments — Accepting New Patients
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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Swollen fingers
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Pain, numbness, or tingling that worsens at night
- Sudden, sharp hand pain
- Difficulty gripping items or making a fist
- Swelling or redness around the wrist
- Warming sensation in the wrist
If your wrist becomes warm and red, be sure to contact your doctor right away. If your temperature rises above 100.4°F, you may be at risk for a serious condition called infectious (septic) arthritis. If you can’t move your wrist or your hand appears abnormal, contact your doctor immediately because you may have broken a bone.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Minor wrist pain is usually temporary and doesn’t require medical treatment. Sprains and strains, for instance, tend to respond well to at-home remedies like ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication.
But if pain or swelling lingers more than a few days or gets worse, it’s time to schedule a visit to your doctor. Delaying treatment may cause long-term issues, like limited mobility.
Seek medical attention right away if your wrist is red and warm, or if you have a fever over 100.4°F (38°C). These symptoms could point to a serious infection such as septic arthritis. We also suggest contacting your doctor if you can’t move your wrist or notice anything strange in appearance that may indicate a broken bone. Any pain that worsens or keeps you from performing daily tasks should also be evaluated.
At Pain Specialists of Charleston, our board-certified physicians are committed to providing expert pain management. By treating the root cause, we work to deliver long-term relief from painful symptoms. If you call the Lowcountry home, book a same-day appointment today – no referral needed!
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CAUSES
Injuries
- Sudden Impacts:
- Falling forward onto the hands may cause:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fractures
- Falling forward onto the hands may cause:
- Repetitive Stress:
- Repeating the same wrist motions may cause:
- Inflamed tissues around joints
- Stress fractures
- Examples of repetitive activities:
- Playing sports like tennis
- Typing
- Long-distance driving
- Repeating the same wrist motions may cause:
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis:
- Cartilage cushioning bones deteriorates over time
- Rarely occurs in wrists unless previously injured
- Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own tissues
- Often affects both wrists
Other Diseases and Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
- Caused by increased pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel
- Ganglion Cysts:
- Soft tissue cysts, typically developing on the wrist’s back side
- Pain gets better or worse depending on activity
- Kienbock Disease:
- Primarily affects young adults
- Poor blood supply causes collapse of a small wrist bone over time
RISK FACTORS
Sports-Related Injuries
- Wrist injuries are common in sports due to impact or repetitive stress, such as the following:
- Bowling
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Snowboarding
- Tennis
Repetitive Activities
- Repeated hand and wrist motions like these may cause painful symptoms:
- Knitting
- Cutting hair
- Typing
Health Conditions
- Certain diseases and conditions boost your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
AVOID THESE THINGS WITH WRIST PAIN
Heat
Avoid using heat packs or taking hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury.
Taking too much medicine
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken in moderation and under the direction of a doctor.
Repetitive movements
Avoid activities like typing, knitting, hammering, or racquet sports for long periods of time without breaks.
Holding objects
Avoid holding objects in one position for long periods of time, like reading a book or playing cards.
Gripping
Avoid gripping with only your thumb and index finger and instead, use your whole hand to grasp objects.
Heavy lifting
Avoid lifting heavy objects or gripping anything too tightly.
Skipping medical advice
To be clear, you should avoid self-diagnosing yourself and should partner with a trained medical professional.
DIAGNOSIS
Physical Exam
At Pain Specialists of Charleston, your first visit will include a thorough evaluation of your medical history and a physical examination relevant to your pain problem. This comprehensive visit with your pain specialist will last approximately 30 minutes.
MRI Scan
If needed, our team also offers imaging tests, such as MRI scans, for a deeper look into your medical condition—all in an effort to get you back to a state of good health.
TREATMENT
At Pain Specialists of Charleston, our board-certified team offers pain management treatment in the form of:
- Epidural Steroid Injection including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar injections
- Joint Injections including knee, shoulder, and hip injections
- Caudal Epidural Injection
- Hip Joint Injection
- Lumbar Sympathetic Block
- Facet Joint Injection
- Medial Branch Block
- Radiofrequency Ablation (Rhizotomy)
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Discography
- Neurostimulation, also known as Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Stellate Ganglion Block
- Transforaminal Selective Nerve Root Block Injection
- Medical Massage Therapy
- Clinical Trials
- …and MORE!
MEET DOCTOR EDWARD M. TAVEL, JR., MD
- Over 20+ Years of Specialty Training
- Double-Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management
AWARDS & ASSOCIATIONS
AS SEEN ON
CONDITIONS WE MANAGE
- Knee Pain
- Chest Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Back Pain
- Hip Pain
- Elbow Pain
- Neck Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Sports Medicine
- & More
TREATMENTS WE OFFER
- Acupuncture
- Biofeedback
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Massage
- Meditation
- & More
WHY CHOOSE US
At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we strive to provide an unmatched healthcare experience – one focused on finding relief. With this goal guiding our pain management physicians, we prioritize the following:
Compassionate and Comprehensive Care
Our practice takes a multidisciplinary approach to pain care that puts patients first. We’re proud to offer a full range of pain management procedures and treatments, including physical therapy, medical massage therapy, pain psychology, medication management, and more.
Timely Treatment
Because many of our patients suffer from severe pain, we’re committed to scheduling appointments as quickly as possible. This ensures the speedy start of a treatment plan to relieve and/or manage their pain.
Access to Safe Pain Management
Pain Specialists of Charleston offers a higher level of healthcare, performing all interventional procedures to meet strict, sterile standards and rigorously comply with all FDA, CDC, state, and federal medical safety guidelines.
Quality Care
Our providers are not only prominent leaders in the field of pain management, but advocates for the Charleston, SC patients we so proudly serve. It’s our exceptional care that sets us apart and earns our patients’ trust.
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FAQS
WHAT ARE COMMON WAYS TO PREVENT WRIST ACHES?
Life’s unpredictability makes it impossible to prevent every accident, but these simple tips can help decrease the risk of an injury:
- Build bone strength and prevent fractures by getting enough calcium – about 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams a day.
- Prevent falls by wearing sensible shoes, removing known hazards, and keeping your home well-lit.
- Use protective gear like wrist guards for athletic activities.
- Work smart by taking regular breaks and utilizing tools that support healthy habits, such as keyboard wrist supports.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TREATMENTS FOR WRIST PAINS?
To provide relief, our pain management physicians may recommend the following:
- Therapy: A physical therapist may use treatments and exercises tailored to wrist injuries.
- Surgery In some more serious cases, surgery may be required.
- Prescription medication: Medication may help manage painful symptoms.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON REASON FOR WRIST ACHES AND PAINS?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is considered the most common cause of wrist pain.
The carpal tunnel is the part of the wrist that contains the median nerve and tendons. Those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome often report burning, numbness, or tingling in their palm, wrist, thumb, or fingers – and sometimes, pain that radiates up to the elbow. In some cases, the muscle of the thumb weakens, and it becomes hard to pick up or grasp items.
WILL CARPAL TUNNEL GO AWAY BY ITSELF?
Oftentimes carpal tunnel syndrome worsens over time. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage, including the loss of feeling in the fingers.
That’s why it is crucial to find a trusted pain management physician to diagnose and treat carpal tunnel syndrome in a timely manner. With the right treatment, many patients resume their everyday activities in about two to four weeks and achieve near-full recovery within six months.
WHAT NORMALLY CAUSES CARPAL TUNNEL?
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when swelling causes the median nerve to get compressed at the wrist. Swelling can occur as the result of the following:
- Repetitive wrist movements, such as typing, using a computer mouse, playing sports, painting, writing, etc.
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Being overweight
- Having certain conditions (diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, underactive thyroid, or rheumatoid arthritis)
WHAT DOES CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME FEEL LIKE?
Patients with carpal tunnel often describe it as pain or numbness in one or both hands, a swollen sensation in the fingers, and burning/tingling in the fingers.
WHAT IS OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR CARPAL TUNNEL?
While Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition, there are other conditions that cause similar symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis and tendonitis, for example, are often misdiagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
WHAT IS TENDONITIS IN THE WRIST?
Wrist tendonitis is a condition that impacts the tendons in the wrist. Overuse or repetitive movements can cause the tendons to become inflamed, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling.
WHAT DOES TENDONITIS FEEL LIKE IN THE WRIST?
Tendonitis patients often experience stiffness, “catching,” or a popping feeling when moving their wrists or fingers. Other symptoms include swelling near the wrist or base of the fingers as well as wrist pain, typically along the side of the wrist near the thumb or pinkie finger.
WILL TENDONITIS GO AWAY BY ITSELF?
Tendonitis occasionally goes away on its own, but it’s best to seek proper treatment.
Your pain management physician may recommend resting your wrist, applying ice, taking anti-inflammatory medication, and going to physical therapy. Remember that, if left untreated, tendonitis may progress into a chronic condition called tendinosis.
IS ARTHRITIS A NORMAL PAIN IN THE WRIST?
Yes. Arthritis, another common cause of wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness, comes in several forms: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Psoriatic arthritis.
Infectious arthritis is more dangerous, characterized by redness and warmth of the wrist, fever above 100°F (37.7°C), and recent illness. Call 911 right away for emergency issues involving chronic wrist pains.
WHAT IS ULNAR WRIST PAIN?
Ulnar wrist pain occurs on the side of your wrist that the pinkie finger is on, the same side as the ulna, a bone in your forearm. An experienced pain management physician can diagnose and treat wrist pain, no matter the type.
WHAT IS RADIAL WRIST PAIN?
Radial wrist pain is experienced on the same side of your wrist as the thumb – the side where your radius, the other bone in your forearm, is found.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A VISIT FOR WRIST PAIN?
To start, your wrist pain physician will perform a physical exam.
After asking more about your symptoms and lifestyle, an imaging test may be taken. If your doctor suspects an infection, gout, or other serious condition, fluid may be removed from the joint for testing. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injection, or surgery.
HOW SHOULD I REST MY WRIST AFTER INJURY?
Pain management physicians often suggest these common remedies for those suffering from wrist pain:
- Keep it elevated above heart level to keep swelling down.
- Apply an ice pack to the tender and swollen area. Wrap the ice in a cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin and apply it for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day and every three to four hours after that.
- Take over-the-counter medication to manage pain, like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Follow dosage instructions and NEVER take more than the recommended amount.
- Ask your wrist pain physician about wearing a splint for a few days. Basic wrist splints can be purchased at most drugstores and medical supply stores.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT AT PAIN SPECIALISTS OF CHARLESTON?
Identifying the source of your pain is the first step to becoming free of it – and getting back to the life you love. At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we perform a thorough evaluation to get to the root of your pain and determine the best course of treatment to help you reclaim your quality of life. What should I bring?
ARE YOU ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS?
Yes, our pain management physicians are currently accepting new patients. Call today or request an appointment online.
DOES PAIN SPECIALISTS OF CHARLESTON REQUIRE A REFERRAL?
No. We accept both self-made appointments and referral appointments to make quality care more convenient than ever. We’re available five days a week, so contact us now to schedule your appointment. No referral needed! Schedule your first appointment today!
DOES PAIN SPECIALISTS OF CHARLESTON OFFER SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS?
Yes, Pain Specialists of Charleston does offer same-day appointments. If there’s an open appointment available, we’ll get you in to see our board certified pain management physicians – the very same day! Reach out today to book your appointment!
HOW LONG IS A PAIN MANAGEMENT APPOINTMENT?
A comprehensive visit with your pain management physician will last about 30 minutes. Depending on your condition, we may recommend a combination of procedures and/or therapies to achieve optimal results.
We believe in educating our patients and empowering them with the ability to decrease their pain. What else should new patients expect?
Sources: MedlinePlus.Gov: Wrist Pain and MayoClinic.Org: Wrist Pain.
