Hand and wrist pain in exercise can affect men and women, young and mature alike. From weightlifting and exercise machines to pushups, injuries and conditions can result from the repetitive stress of the activity or the sudden frequent exposure (training in an off season, sudden increase in weights or repetitions, new exercise program, etc.).
Exercise Impact on the Hand & Wrist
The hand and wrist conditions most commonly associated with these types of exercise regimens is tendinitis. Other less common injuries include stress fractures of the wrist.
If not addressed, pain and restricted hand and wrist function could hinder proper form during the activity and cause more serious injury.
Tendinitis – Symptoms and Diagnosis
Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendon resulting from micro-tears that occur when the “musculotendinous unit” (muscular and tendinous tissue and its ability to be stretched) is severely overloaded with a excessive or sudden tensile force (resistance of a material to a force tending to tear it apart).
It can also be associated with Tendinosis, which is the degeneration of the tendon’s collagen in response to chronic or repetitive overuse.
Symptoms can vary depending on the area affected. When affecting the fingers, symptoms can be similar to those experienced with trigger finger – catching or locking when bent.
Occurring where a tendon attaches to bone, other symptoms of tendinitis include:
- Pain and/or tenderness in the hand or wrist when lifting weights
- Possibly mild swelling
Tendinitis is confirmed upon physical examination and discussion of patient history. It is generally resolved by resting and refraining temporarily from the activity causing the strain. If this does not resolve the condition, anti inflammatory medications and hand therapy exercises may be recommended. Only in extreme cases of tendon damage is surgery considered.
Stress Fractures – Symptoms and Diagnosis
A stress fracture is an overuse injury which occurs when muscles become fatigued – unable to absorb added shock therefore transferring the stress overload to the bone. This can cause a tiny crack in the bone and is called a stress fracture. While stress fractures are most commonly seen in the lower extremity, they can occasionally occur in the wrist when subjected to excessive strain or repetitive stress activity such as increasing the amount or intensity of an activity too rapidly.
A stress fracture can sometimes be confirmed on an x-ray, though may not be visible for several weeks despite the pain. If necessary, a computed topography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated to confirm the fracture.
Among the most effective treatments for a stress fracture is rest from the activity that caused the fracture for approximately six to eight weeks. Resumption of activity before proper healing can result in a more serious fracture and potentially chronic problems.
Reducing Risks
There are a number of things that those engaged in weightlifting or related exercise program can do to reduce these types of hand and wrist injuries and conditions.
- Build up gradually to increased weight and reps
- Wear wrist guards or protective gloves (minimizing pressure and providing wrist assist)
- Taking breaks to rest the hands and wrist
- Using proper technique/form
Learn more about common hand and wrist injuries and conditions.
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