Bursitis of the Wrist
(Ulnar and Radial Bursitis)
The wrist is made up of eight small bones several tendons and ligaments, and 2 bursae; the ulnar bursa and the radial bursa. The ulnar bursa covers the tendons of the index, middle and ring fingers. The radial bursa covers the thumb tendon and extends to the wrist crease. Infection in the radial bursa and ulna bursa is known as a "horseshoe abscess".
The wrist is constantly in motion throughout the day. Simple everyday activities such as getting dressed, tying shoes, opening a door and preparing dinner are difficult to do when you have a painful wrist. The extensive use of the wrist puts it at a considerable risk for injury; athletes are at an even higher risk - 9% of all athletic injuries involve the wrist.
Your bursae play an important role in leading a healthy, active life. When the bursae are not irritated and working properly, your joints move smoothly and painlessly. However, when a bursa becomes swollen and inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. When pressure or friction is too great, excess fluid can build up in the bursa sac causing swelling and inflammation. When a bursa becomes inflamed, moving your wrist becomes very painful and movement can be difficult. Any actions that put pressure on the inflamed bursa in your wrist can increase irritation and cause further inflammation and pain.
Wrist Bursitis Symptoms
If you have wrist bursitis you may be experiencing
- Pain in the wrist especially if the wrist is bent back and weight is put on it
- A small lump or swelling at the top or side of the wrist
Wrist Bursitis Causes
Causes of wrist bursitis include sports with throwing or wrist twisting movements, such as baseball, badminton, and tennis. Repetitive wrist movements (Repetitive Stress Injury) during work or activities that you do frequently (i.e. mouse movements, typing, sewing) is also a major cause of wrist bursitis.
Treating ulnar and Radial Bursitis
The most important factor in healing bursitis is resting your wrist. During your recovery you will probably have to modify or avoid the activities that stress your bursa until your pain and inflammation settle.
Treatments should involve decreasing swelling, relieving stress on your wrist, correcting any biomechanical dysfunction such as a bone spur, treating scar tissue, and then restoring strength and movement in your wrist.
For non-infectious bursitis, the preliminary treatment starts with non-operative options such as Freezie Wrap® Cold Compression Therapy and Inferno Wrap® Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™. Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ (BFST®) is recommended once inflammation has been calmed to heal the bursa and surrounding tissue faster and reduce the risk of bursitis returning. If your bursitis is caused by an infection (septic bursitis), the doctor will probably drain the bursa sac with a needle and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Freezie Wrap® Cold Therapy
To decrease inflammation and relieve the pain of wrist bursitis doctor's recommend cold therapy.
Applying cold to your inflamed radial or ulnar bursa will help decrease the swelling and redness around it. Cold therapy will also help to numb the pain in your wrist and help to control the inflammation. In addition, the deep cooling effect provided by the Wrist Freezie Wrap® reduces tissue damage.
The Wrist Freezie Wrap® uses a supercharged cooling gel pack, that chills in the fridge, not in the freezer like ice or other freezer packs, giving you deep cold therapy without the risk of 'cold burns' or cryoburn.
Cooling your inflamed bursa can be done as needed throughout the day. The Wrist Freezie Wrap® can be used to apply cold in a safe, convenient and effective way. The gel pack sits gently over the inflamed bursa to reduce swelling and redness.
The wrap is soft and adjustable which makes it comfortable to wear and allows you to control the compression. This is important when treating an inflamed bursa because too much pressure can cause you further pain. You control how much pressure the bursa receives so you can benefit from the compression to hold the cold where you need it, without increasing your pain.
Applying cold to your tender bursa and wrist is the first step in treating your bursitis. Next, you can begin using the Inferno Wrap® to accelerate the healing process.
Click Here to learn more about Freezie Wrap® ColdCure Technology®
Inferno Wrap® Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™
Once the inflammation of your bursitis has been reduced with the Freezie Wrap® cold compression therapy treatment it is time to start BFST® treatments with the Inferno Wrap®. Regular treatments with the Inferno Wrap® will improve blood flow and improve the elasticity of your surrounding soft tissue. Your body needs a fresh supply of blood to improve the health of your tissue and get your wrist bursa back to normal.
Unfortunately, when you are suffering from bursitis in your wrist it can be painful to lift a cup or type. When you limit movement in your wrist because of the pain the blood flow is reduced, starving your tissue of the necessary oxygen and nutrients. The trick is to find a way to increase blood flow without causing pain and/or further irritating the bursae. This is where Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™, or BFST®, becomes a powerful tool.
BFST® compliments your body's natural healing process by promoting blood flow while you give your wrist the rest it needs.
The Wrist Inferno Wrap® uses a patented process to generate the same energy that is part of the sun's spectrum of light, the same energy that is necessary to all living things for optimum health. The energy emitted from the Energy Web® stimulates blood flow to your wrist, more than your body would ever be able to generate on it's own. This gives your body the boost it needs to continue the reconditioning process. The healing energy reaches into your wrist to speed tissue repair, whisk away the toxins and dead cells, and rejuvenate the tissue in your wrist for improved elasticity.
Click Here to learn more about how Inferno Wrap® BFST® works
With these 3 easy therapies, you will notice significantly reduced pain and an incredible improvement in your wrist pain and range of motion.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can be used if required to help manage your pain. However, these aren't recommended for long term use, as they can cause gastrointestinal difficulties and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Many of our customers find they no longer require NSAIDS once they begin using Wrist Freezie Wrap® cold compression therapy and Wrist Inferno Wraps® to treat their pain and heal their bursa.
Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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