Wrist Pain and RSI Treatment London - Non-Surgical Options
Your wrist has become the weak link. The dull ache after typing. The sharp pain when you grip. The numbness that wakes you at night.
In an age where we type, scroll, and click for hours daily, wrist problems have become epidemic. Yet treatment options often feel limited. Rest (impractical when your job requires your hands), braces (uncomfortable and limiting), and surgery (invasive and not guaranteed).
Non-surgical wrist treatments offer another path.
Common Causes of Wrist Pain
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) develops from repeated movements stressing the same structures. Typing, mouse use, assembly work, and certain sports cause cumulative damage.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist. It causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the thumb and first three fingers.
Tendonitis is inflammation of wrist tendons from overuse. De Quervain's tendonitis affecting the thumb-side tendons is particularly common.
Arthritis in the small wrist joints causes stiffness, aching, and reduced grip strength.
Ligament injuries from falls or sports can cause chronic wrist instability and pain.
TFCC injuries affect the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the little finger side of the wrist, causing pain with rotation.
Different conditions require different approaches. Accurate diagnosis is essential.
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Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Splinting and bracing rests damaged structures while allowing continued function. Night splints for carpal tunnel reduce pressure during sleep.
Ergonomic modification addresses root causes. Keyboard position, mouse type, desk setup, and work habits all affect wrist stress.
Physiotherapy strengthens supporting muscles, improves flexibility, and teaches protective movement patterns.
Steroid injections reduce inflammation quickly. For carpal tunnel, injection into the carpal tunnel can provide significant relief. For tendonitis, injection around the affected tendon reduces inflammation.
PRP injections deliver growth factors that promote healing of damaged tendons, ligaments, and other structures. PRP addresses underlying tissue damage rather than just suppressing inflammation.
How PRP Helps Wrist Conditions
PRP is particularly valuable for chronic wrist problems where inflammation has settled but tissue damage persists.
For tendonitis, PRP stimulates tendon healing that has stalled. The growth factors restart repair processes.
For ligament injuries, PRP may support healing and improve stability.
For arthritis, PRP can reduce pain and potentially slow cartilage degeneration.
For carpal tunnel, PRP injection may help some patients, though evidence is still developing. It may work by improving nerve healing and reducing scar tissue.
Treatment is performed under ultrasound guidance for precision. The wrist contains many small, closely-spaced structures. Accurate delivery matters.
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Carpal Tunnel Considerations
Carpal tunnel syndrome has specific treatment considerations.
Mild carpal tunnel often responds to splinting, ergonomic changes, and activity modification.
Moderate carpal tunnel may benefit from steroid injection, providing relief that can last months.
Severe carpal tunnel with significant weakness or muscle wasting typically needs surgical release.
PRP for carpal tunnel is an emerging application. It may provide benefit for some patients, particularly those wanting to avoid or delay surgery. However, it is not yet established as standard treatment.
Assessment determines your severity and appropriate options.
What Treatment Involves
Your consultation includes examination of your wrist and hand, discussion of symptoms and activities, and possibly ultrasound assessment.
Depending on diagnosis, we recommend appropriate treatment. This might be PRP, steroid injection, or referral for other management.
Injection is performed under ultrasound guidance. You can use your hand immediately, though we recommend avoiding heavy gripping for a few days.
Improvement develops over weeks for PRP. Steroid injection typically works faster.
Preventing Recurrence
Treatment relieves current symptoms. Preventing recurrence requires addressing contributing factors.
Ergonomic assessment of your workstation. Regular breaks from repetitive tasks. Strengthening exercises. Appropriate protective equipment for sport.
We can advise on prevention strategies alongside treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have carpal tunnel or something else? Carpal tunnel has characteristic symptoms including numbness in specific fingers and night waking. Examination and sometimes nerve conduction studies clarify diagnosis.
Can I avoid carpal tunnel surgery? Many people manage carpal tunnel without surgery. Severity determines options. Early intervention improves chances of non-surgical success.
How long is recovery after wrist PRP? Brief soreness for a few days, then gradual improvement over weeks. Most people continue normal activities immediately with some modification.
Will I need time off work? Usually not. Treatment does not prevent working, though you may need to modify activities briefly.
What if my job caused my wrist problem? Occupational health assessment and workplace modifications are important. Treatment helps current symptoms, but preventing ongoing damage requires addressing the cause.
How many injections will I need? Often one to two PRP treatments. Chronic or severe conditions may need more.
Do not let wrist pain limit your work and life.
