Chiropractors/wrist pain

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Expert: - 7/8/2010


Question
About my wrist which I e-mailed you about earlier,the problem is in my left wrist and when I rotate it anti clockwise what is like a bone or maybe a tendon rubs over another bone.I've had this problem well over a year now and it effects my work and makes even the smallest job difficult.The pain as this happens runs up under the ulnar bone (bone on the side of my little finger).I can't know for sure if the problem is in the wrist or elbow, it seems to change form one to the other.Can this problem be solved and what is the best way to go about treating it.One more thing as I place my finger on the rised part of the ulnar bone at the back of my wrist I can feel the tendon snap as I turn my hand. Hope this describes the problem better, Thanks again.

Answer
Nigel,

If I understand your description correctly (I'm still not sure I completely understand exactly where you feel the snapping - I also don't have any past medical history to guide me), you likely disrupted a retinaculum at the wrist or you have a tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex at the wrist.   Manual laborers who do a lot of heavy lifting/grabbing, athletes that land on their hands (e.g. gymnasts), and those with repetitive arm/hand use are prone to this.  Also, if there was a single injury to the arm, e.g. falling on an outstretched arm and spraining the elbow or wrist, that could do it also.   Lastly, there are some arthritic conditions that will cause joint popping, e.g. rheumatoid arthtitis (but likely you'd know you have this).   You need to have a hands-on physical examination to determine what is causing the tendon to snap.  The disruption of any of the wrist structures will affect how the entire arm works, including the elbow.   Also, any elbow injury or joint dysfunction will provoke the wrist.   This really needs to get looked at by a doctor with training in the arm/hand, e.g. an orthopedic specialist.

Good luck with this.

Dr. G

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Scott F. Gillman, DC, DACBSP

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21 Years in practice: I can answer any question regarding chiropractic and sports medicine treatment. Mostly, I can help the unknowing public understand what is safe, valid, reasonable and evidence-based, and what kinds of unscrupulous chiropractors and fraudulent methods to stay away from. I have an advanced specialty degree in Chiropractic Sports Medicine. I have experience treating elite and Olympic athletes.

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