| SYMPTOMS |
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DIAGNOSIS |
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SELF-CARE |
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| 1.
Did you fall on, hit or twist your wrist? |
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Go
to Question 4.* |
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| 2.
Has the wrist bone changed shape? |
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You
probably have a FRACTURE of a bone such as a
Colles
Wrist Fracture or a
Scaphoid Wrist Fracture |
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URGENT
See your doctor as soon as possible. Wrap the affected
limb in cool, moist cloths and hold the arm still. A
sling may help reduce the pain. Use a simple analgesic. |
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| 3.
Does the pain come with motion? |
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If
there is no fracture, the wrist may be sprained |
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Apply
ice and immobilize the arm/wrist. Check with your
doctor if there's bruising or the pain is moderate
to severe.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| *4.
Did the pain come from a repeated motion, or is it made
worse by a job or sport? |
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You
may have Wrist
Tendonitis. |
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Use
rest and heat. If there's no improvement in a week,
see your doctor.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| 5.
Do you have numbness in your fingers, or pain in your
hand, wrist or arm, especially when you flex your wrist? |
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You
may have a compression of the median nerve called
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome |
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Use
a wrist splint and an anti-inflammatory medicine.
If there's no improvement in one week, see your doctor.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| 6.
Do you have pain when gripping a handle? |
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Your
symptoms may be from Tennis Elbow. |
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Rest
the arm and use an anti-inflammatory medicine. See
your doctor if there's no improvement.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| 7.
Do you have a firm lump or swelling on the back of the
wrist? |
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This
may be a Ganglion
Cyst, a common tendon cyst. |
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See
your doctor for confirmation of the diagnosis or when
it becomes uncomfortable.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| 8.
Do you have redness, swelling or pain in the skin, or
a red streak up the arm with a fever? |
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These
are all signs of INFECTION in the hand, wrist or arm. |
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URGENT
See your doctor promptly. |
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| 9.
Are one or more joints swollen and tender? |
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Wrist
Arthritis can cause rednes and swelling in
multiple joints. Gout
usually occurs in just one joint, and INFECTION
of the joint or bone can occur in any area. |
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See
your doctor promptly. You may want to try an anti-inflammatory
medicine.
Click
here to view recommended supports for this condition |
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| For
more information, please consult your doctor. If you
think the problem is serious, call ASAP |
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