Pain in wrist

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

I have recently started to have pain in both wrists, but mostly on the weapon (right) hand. It goes in a line normal to the direction of the arm, where hand and arm meet. It is much more noticable when I bend the wrist so that the knuckles lead the way. My hand also seems weaker in beats, which is a big handcap to my game. I have also noticed the same pain when using the computer keyboard at work, and will get one of those gel-filled supports. There is no point on the hand/wrist on which I can touch and it is really pin-point painful, it comes and goes a bit erratically. I have never had something like this before, and can not remember any special event that would trigger it. I am 37 years old, with no prior history of musculoskeletal problems.

Anyone had something like this? Anyone recognize a name for it? Any treatments/suggestions

[JEC]

Peter,
You might have CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome). Repetitive motion sickness that inflamates the median nerve that runs under a very close space. Your choices:

a) see a doc (preferably a neurologist)
b) get a couple of bowling gloves (metal support) and wear them during sleep. The idea is to keep the joints without flexing.
c) take some rest from fencing for a couple of weeks.
d) use antiinflamatories such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc for a brief amount of time (daily for a couple of weeks - if you have no history of gastric ulcers or bleeding, etc) at medium dose.
e) when you return to fencing, ice your weapon wrist after fencing.

Disclaimer: this is an educated guess. Consult your own physician who can examine you to make appropriate diagnosis.

[viojen]

Tendinitis has somewhat similar symptoms as well, although different enough that what you've discribed doesn't sound like it.
But the treatment is much the same. I have tendinitis in my weapon wrist, and I've found ice and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflamitory drugs-like advil, asprin, etc.) help a lot. A hard brace or an ace bandage can also make it feel better when you're resting it, as well, but you can't fence in them. (but I discovered today, you can x-c ski with a hard brace!)
And again, see a doctor. S/he should have some pretty good suggestions.

[MyraTrue]

Peter,

I'm 100% not an expert. But I'm having the same troubles. I sympathize, at least!

I've found that when I fence, I can use athletic tape to help give me some support on my weapon wrist, that will still fit under my glove. It softens up after a couple of hours, but it works in a pinch!

Hope you get this worked out.

Myra

[JEC]

I agree on the idea of using a wrist brace (like baseball players) or athletic tape when you return to fencing in a couple of weeks. It is too easy to overtight the tape brace because your hand will dilate as you exercise. It is best using an elastic brace. However, it sounds that computer works worsens it and your complaint is bilateral. So, I would rank this suggestion as last.