Réhabital
Wrist Pain Treatment in Côte Saint-Luc
The wrist is a dense, precise joint: eight small bones, many tendons and nerves passing through very tight spaces. It tolerates repetitive movement, sustained positions and sudden loads poorly. Pain holding a mug, night numbness, weak grip or burning after a day at the computer all have different causes and need different treatment. At Réhabital in Côte Saint-Luc, we first establish a precise clinical diagnosis, then treat both the wrist and the upstream contributors — elbow, shoulder, neck and workstation.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
Common wrist pain falls into a few recognizable patterns. De Quervain's tenosynovitis affects the thumb tendons and causes sharp thumb-side pain with gripping and twisting; it is common in new parents and heavy phone users. Carpal tunnel syndrome produces night numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, sometimes with loss of dexterity. Extensor and flexor tendinopathies follow keyboard overload, racquet sports or manual work. A triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury causes little-finger-side pain, worse with weight-bearing and rotation. Thumb-base osteoarthritis is very common after 50, especially in women. Finally, a fall on an outstretched hand must always rule out a scaphoid fracture, which can feel deceptively mild at first. One point matters throughout: shoulder posture and neck and elbow mobility directly influence the load reaching the wrist, which is why purely local treatment often fails.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Repetitive overload and ergonomics
A high keyboard, a distant mouse, sustained wrist extension or resting on the desk edge create continuous tendon tension. This low but constant load exceeds tissue recovery capacity and drives an overuse tendinopathy.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
The thumb tendons glide through a narrow sheath. Repeated gripping — particularly lifting a small child or holding a phone — irritates the sheath and causes sharp pain at the thumb base, reproduced by the Finkelstein test.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
The median nerve crosses a narrow tunnel at the wrist. Swelling, hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), sustained flexed positions or repetitive load raise pressure in the tunnel, producing night numbness and reduced dexterity.
Trauma and instability
A fall on an outstretched hand can injure carpal ligaments, the TFCC or the scaphoid. A missed injury leads to instability that makes weight-bearing painful months later.
Osteoarthritis and systemic factors
Thumb-base osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis or thyroid disorders change tissue health. Prolonged morning stiffness in several joints should be assessed for an inflammatory cause.
Our Treatment Approach
Assessment includes specific testing (Finkelstein, Phalen, Tinel, carpal ligament tests), grip strength measurement, examination of the elbow, shoulder and neck, and a workstation review. Physiotherapy combines manual therapy for the carpus and forearm, median nerve glides, progressive strengthening of flexors, extensors and intrinsic muscles, and daily load modification. Osteopathy addresses restrictions in the elbow, shoulder, first rib and cervical spine that add tension through the arm. Massage therapy releases chronically tight forearms. We add concrete ergonomic recommendations, temporary night splinting when indicated, and a staged plan for returning to painful tasks.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
The first visit lasts about 60 minutes: detailed history, clinical examination, specific tests and a clear diagnosis. You leave with immediate ergonomic adjustments and two to three exercises. Grip strength and the frequency of night waking serve as objective progress markers.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Position the keyboard so the wrist stays neutral, not extended.
- Take a 30-second mobility break every 30 minutes of work.
- Avoid sleeping with a flexed wrist; a night splint can help.
- Rebuild grip progressively with a soft ball.
- Alternate hands for repetitive tasks when possible.
- Use wide-handled tools and utensils to reduce load.
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
Overuse tendinopathy caught early improves in 4–8 weeks. De Quervain's responds in 6–12 weeks with load adaptation. Mild to moderate carpal tunnel often improves substantially with conservative care; severe cases with muscle wasting need a surgical opinion.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Come in if pain lasts more than three weeks, if you wake at night with numbness, if grip strength is dropping, or if you avoid certain tasks. See a physician promptly for muscle wasting at the thumb base, constant numbness, or severe pain after a fall on the hand.
Why Réhabital Clinic
In Côte Saint-Luc, we treat the wrist in the context of the whole upper limb and your real working habits. Plans are concrete, measured and matched to both your job and your hobbies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
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