Wrist tendinitis is an irritation of the tendons at the wrist joint. It most commonly occurs in people who do repetitive activities using the hand and arm. It often affects computer users, factory workers, gardeners, and athletes who throw and catch balls or play racquet sports.

In the United States, among those who work full time, tendinitis occurs in about one in every 100,000 people. Tendinitis is responsible for 25% to 50% of all sports injuries. Older adults are more at risk for wrist tendinitis.

Physical therapists help people with wrist tendinitis reduce pain, increase wrist flexibility and strength, and return to activities and sports.

Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.

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On this page

• What Is Wrist Tendinitis?
• Signs and Symptoms
• How Is It Diagnosed?
• How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
• Can This Injury or Condition Be Prevented?
• What Kind of Physical Therapist Do I Need?

What Is Wrist Tendinitis?

Wrist tendinitis is a condition when one or more tendons in the wrist become irritated. There are several tendons in the wrist that connect the muscles of the forearm and hand to the bones of the wrist and hand. These tendons (visible on the back of the hand) are small cord-like structures that connect to the fingers. Several conditions can affect the tendons in this area, including:

• Wrist tendinitis. This condition describes the early stages of tendon inflammation and irritation.
• Tenosynovitis. This describes an irritation of the protective sheath (layers of connective tissue through which wrist tendons glide). The sheath becomes thickened, restricts normal movement, and causes pain.
• Tendinopathy. This is the name given to the condition when it becomes chronic. Treatment for wrist tendinitis or tenosynovitis can prevent wrist tendinopathy.
• De Quervain's tendinitis. This is the condition's name when it occurs on the thumb side of the wrist.

Signs and Symptoms

Several tendons in the wrist can become irritated with wrist tendinitis. Painful symptoms may include:

• Pain where the arm meets the hand that may radiate up into the elbow.
• Pain on the thumb side of the wrist (radial) or the little finger side of the wrist (ulnar).
• Pain that only occurs when the wrist is under strain. This can become a constant pain if left untreated.
• Pain when putting pressure on the hand. Examples include using your arms to push yourself up out of a chair to stand or pushing open a heavy door.

Besides pain, other symptoms include:

• Wrist stiffness.
• Decreased ability to bend and extend the wrist.
• Inflammation or swelling in the wrist area.
• Tenderness to touch the wrist or forearm muscles.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Your physical therapist will thoroughly evaluate your entire arm, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. They also will take your health history. Your physical therapist will ask you to describe the activities you regularly do at home, work, or for fun using your arm. Other questions they may ask include:

• Which of these activities causes pain or stiffness in the area?
• How long have you had pain?
• How does your pain affect your regular activities of daily living?

Your physical therapist will check the range of motion and strength in your entire upper arm. They will gently press areas of your wrist and forearm to check for swelling and determine which tendons are involved.

How Can a Physical Therapist Help?

Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment for wrist tendinitis. You will work with your physical therapist to devise a treatment plan specific to your condition and goals. Your individual treatment program may include:

Pain management. Your physical therapist will help you identify and avoid painful movements. They will show you how to correct abnormal postures to reduce stress on the wrist. Your therapist may recommend that you rest your wrist at first and apply ice to help alleviate pain. They also may recommend short-term use of a wrist brace to restrict movement while allowing the tendons to heal.

Manual therapy. Your physical therapist may use hands-on techniques to get your wrist moving properly. These can include gentle joint movements, soft-tissue massage, and wrist stretches.

Range-of-motion exercises. Your physical therapist will teach you specific exercises and stretches to reduce stiffness. Doing them will help your wrist, hand, and forearm begin to move properly.

Strengthening exercises. Your physical therapist will determine which strengthening exercises are right for you. The exercises will depend on your specific areas of weakness. Weakness in the arm, including the shoulder, elbow, and wrist, can contribute to movement problems that cause tendinitis. Your physical therapist will tailor a home exercise program to meet your specific needs and goals. After you complete your formal physical therapy program, you can continue doing these helpful exercises to maintain wrist health.

Education. Your physical therapist will teach you how to protect your wrist and hand for the activities you plan to resume. Some general ways to decrease your chances of reinjury include:

• Keeping your wrist in a neutral position to reduce excessive force while doing repetitive tasks.
• Taking frequent breaks.

Functional training. As symptoms improve, your physical therapist will teach you proper wrist mechanics for your everyday functions. This training will help you avoid pain when you return to your job, home, and sports activities.

Can This Injury or Condition Be Prevented?

To prevent wrist tendinitis, physical therapists recommend that you:

• Be mindful of repetitive wrist and hand movements. If you engage in a sport or activity where you can't avoid repetitive movements, try to take frequent breaks to allow your muscles to rest.
• Warm up the muscles around the wrist and hand before starting an activity.
• Perform regular stretches to maintain flexibility in the wrist and forearm. This is important to do before and after exercise or activity.
• Do regular upper body strengthening exercises. These can enable the wrist and hand to tolerate sports and everyday activities with less stress on the joint.
• Follow joint protection techniques when using the wrist. These include balancing rest with work and using the larger muscles of the arm for heavier tasks.

What Kind of Physical Therapist Do I Need?

All physical therapists are prepared through education and experience to treat a variety of conditions or injuries, including wrist tendinitis. You may want to consider:

• A physical therapist who is experienced in treating people with wrist and hand diagnoses. Some physical therapists have a practice with an orthopedic, musculoskeletal (muscles, bones, and joints), sports, or hand and upper extremity focus.
• A physical therapist who is a board-certified clinical specialist, or who completed a residency or fellowship in orthopedic or sports physical therapy. These therapists have advanced knowledge, experience, and skills that may apply to your condition.
• A physical therapist who is a certified hand specialist.

You can find physical therapists in your area with specific clinical expertise and credentials using Find a PT, a tool provided by the American Physical Therapy Association.

General tips when you're looking for a physical therapist (or any health care provider):

• Get recommendations from family, friends, or other health care providers.
• Ask about the physical therapist's experience helping people with wrist tendinitis.
• Be prepared to describe your symptoms in detail and say what makes your symptoms worse or better.