The tendons in your wrist support the muscles of your forearms and help stabilize and control fine motor movement in your hands. Because these tendons are narrow, they are susceptible to injury. Common causes of pulled wrist tendons are traumatic injuries such as a fall and or overuse injuries like tendinitis. Physical therapy for strained wrist tendons typically progresses in four phases and can last weeks to months, depending on the severity of your injury. Always consult your physician before beginning any physical therapy program.
Phase 1
In the first phase of physical therapy for pulled wrist tendons, the main goal is to control inflammation. Inflammation occurs as a result of the disruption of the tissue fibers of your wrist tendons and in the soft tissues that surround your wrist joint. When inflammation is present, your body's natural healing process cannot begin. Your physical therapist may use cryotherapy, or cold treatment, to reduce inflammation. This involves placing cold packs or ice on your wrist to reduce the presence of inflammation. Your physician may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Phase 2
Once the inflammation around your wrist joint has subsided, you may begin range-of-motion exercises. After a wrist tendon injury, scar tissue can form where the tendons insert into bone. This can cause deformity, loss of flexibility, and pain. By performing light stretching exercises, you can reduce the impact that scar tissue has on the range of motion in your wrist. Your physical therapist will provide you with a number of range of motion and flexibility exercises for your wrist that are specific to your needs.
Phase 3
After you have regained some range of motion in your wrist, you may begin strength training. Your wrist tendons connect your forearm muscles to the bones of your hand. Therefore, an injury to your wrist tendons may also cause damage to your forearm muscles. Strengthening the muscles that support your wrist will help you regain strength you have lost as a result of the injury as well as increase the stability of your wrist joint. Your physical therapist will provide you with wrist and forearm strengthening exercises that are specific to your needs.
Phase 4
After you have regained normal range of motion and adequate strength in your wrist joint, you may return to normal physical activity. However, your physical therapist may require that you continue performing the range-of-motion and strength-training exercises you were given during your rehabilitation long after you have returned to normal daily activity. This will ensure that your wrist remains strong and will decrease the risk of re-injuring your wrist tendons.
References
- E Medicine Health; Wrist Injury; Edmond Hooker
- "Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques"; Carolyn Kisner and Lynn Colby; 2007
