From Dr. Natalie Meiri’s Clinical Pearl Stories:
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Wrist Adjustments
Author: Natalie Meiri, D.C. Posted: 7/28/24
This was a 35 year old patient who was a package handler/warehouse worker. To be HIPAA compliant, I will call him Tracey instead of his real name. Tracey was a patient who was treating with me for his neck and back problems originally. Then one day, he told me he hurt his wrists while lifting at the gym. And he needed to keep in shape for his physical job and was concerned about the recovery time.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Tracey’s examination
Upon examination, he had some limitation of range of motion at the wrists with certain movements. Furthermore, Tracey had positive tests for a wrist strain (injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone, called a tendon).
I would re-evaluate in a month.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Wrist Anatomy
Your wrist is made up of eight small bones (carpal bones) plus two long bones in your forearm — the radius and the ulna. Your wrist functions as the link between the hand and the forearm. In your wrist, a tendon functions to move the bone. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone. There are no tendon attachments that function at the wrist. Tendons cross the wrist to insert into the hand, fingers, and thumb. And there are ligaments holding and stabilizing your wrist bones in place.
Problems affecting muscles that originate off the elbow and forearm may show up as pain at your wrist. Wrist conditions are often the result of trauma, overuse, and arthritis.
In athletes, positions that strain muscles repetitively are likely to cause an insidious (gradual) onset. Ultimately, this may lead to tendonitis. Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Weight lifting, gymnastics, rowing, and racquetball are examples. Overuse with typing is a common problem. You may be a professional musician or be in assembly line movement patterns at work.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Some possible tendinopathies of the Wrist
Extensor pollicis longus (EPL)tendinitis/tendinosis
This muscle arises dorsolaterally (back or upper surface) from the middle part of the ulna (long forearm bone closest to fifth finger) and ends at the distal (tip) of the thumb. The EPL extends the thumb (moves the thumb away from the hand and parallel to the palm). This tendonitis is seen in drummers, athletes involved in racquet sports, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Extensor indices proprius (EIP) syndrome and extensor digiti minimi (EDM) tendinitis/tendinosis
The Extensor indices proprius (EIP) is a narrow, elongated muscle in the deep layer of the dorsal (back of ) forearm. Its tendon goes to the index finger, which it extends (bends backward).
The extensor digiti minimi (EDM) is also a narrow muscle which originates in the lateral humerus (elbow area) and attaches to your 5th digit (5th finger). The EDM is a two joint muscle. It acts as an extensor in both joints. The EDM extends the wrist and the little finger. This means it moves the back of the hand toward the back of the forearm and straightens the little finger from a fist.
Extensor carpi ulnaris tendonitis/tendonosis
This muscle originates in the lateral humerus (elbow area). And it inserts into the 5th metacarpal (5th bone in palm of hand). The extensor carpi ulnaris serves to extend and adduct the hand (moving a hand toward the body) at the wrist. It is a relatively common tenonitis found in occupations or sports requiring repetitive wrist movement. Examples include racquet sports, rowing, golf, and baseball.
Tracey’s West Palm Beach Chiropractic Treatment
The goal of Tracey’s treatment was firstly to relieve pain. Secondly, get his wrists range of motion back . Finally, to rehabilitate/strengthen musculature.
Treatment consisted of:
First, Chiropractic adjustments/manipulation of the wrists.
Second, Soft tissue manipulation (cross friction /myofascial release, pressure points, postisometric relaxation) to the muscles and soft tissues (i.e., tendons, ligaments) involved.
Third, Ice along with Electric Muscle Stimulation.
Fourth, Home exercises for self stretching and strengthening muscles.
Fifth, recommendations for modification and avoidance of aggravating activities were reviewed.
Tracey got pain relief and improved function in his wrists from the very first visit and had no problems at work. Moreover, he continued his visits until he finished his care at 12 visits and never missed a day of work.
Conditions/ Dysfunctions resulting from a trauma or repetitive injury involving the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the extremities (limbs) can significantly reduce the quality or the ease of performing many activities related to personal care, livelihood, and recreation. Therefore, it’s important to get help quickly for your injury from your West Palm Beach Chiropractor as Tracey did.
West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Wrist Adjustments
Your West Palm Beach chiropractor offers a range of treatments to bring pain relief for a variety of conditions. A West Palm Beach chiropractor can treat your wrist pain naturally. Contact us at 561-253-8984 to learn more or to make an appointment with your West Palm Beach Chiropractor today or to find out more about West Palm Beach Chiropractor: Wrist Adjustments.