prestidge.com.au

Wrist Tendinopathy and Wrist Sprains

Relieve wrist pain and restore strength with personalised, evidence-based treatment focused on reducing tendon irritation, improving joint stability, and supporting a safe return to daily activities and sport.

Understanding Wrist Tendinopathy

Wrist tendinopathy encompasses pain, stiffness, and impaired function arising from degeneration or inflammation of the tendons that cross the wrist joint. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis — affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist — is one of the most common presentations. Wrist sprains involve injury to the ligaments of the wrist, typically following a fall onto an outstretched hand.

Causes

  • Repetitive wrist or finger movements – climbing, tennis, golf, and keyboard work.
  • Sudden overuse or unfamiliar wrist loading.
  • Falls onto an outstretched hand (ligament sprains).
  • New mothers and carers – repetitive lifting with the wrist deviated.
  • Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

  • Pain, swelling, or warmth at the affected tendon.
  • Stiffness – particularly with specific wrist movements.
  • Pain with gripping, twisting, or lifting.
  • A creaking sensation with wrist movement.
  • In wrist sprains – pain, swelling, and bruising following injury.
  • Reduced grip strength.

Treatment

  • Activity modification and load management.
  • Wrist splinting or bracing.
  • Manual therapy and soft tissue treatment.
  • Progressive tendon loading and wrist strengthening.
  • Ergonomic assessment and technique correction.

Rehabilitation & Exercise

Caution: Perform all exercises only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Stop any exercise that increases your pain and inform your practitioner. Exercise programs are tailored to individual needs and must not be self-prescribed.
Wrist tendinopathy rehabilitation follows the same progressive loading principles as other tendinopathies. Stretching is introduced early; strengthening progresses as pain allows. Ligament sprain rehabilitation focuses on stability and graduated loading.
  • Wrist extensor stretch – arm extended, wrist bent down, with the opposite hand applying overpressure.
  • Wrist flexor stretch – arm extended, wrist bent back, with the opposite hand applying overpressure.
  • Eccentric wrist flexor and extensor curls – for progressive tendon loading.
  • Grip strengthening – as symptoms settle.
  • Wrist stability and proprioception exercises – for sprain rehabilitation.

Specialist & Regenerative Medicine Options

For persistent wrist tendinopathy or complex ligament injuries, our Prestidge sports physicians can offer targeted specialist treatments.

  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – ultrasound-guided PRP into the affected tendon or tendon sheath supports tissue repair.
  • Corticosteroid Injections – targeted injection into the tendon sheath provides effective short-term relief.
  • Hydrodistension – injection of fluid into the tendon sheath to restore smooth tendon movement.
  • Prolotherapy – for wrist ligament laxity following a sprain, supporting ligament healing.
  • Surgical Referral – for complete ligament tears or persistent De Quervain’s syndrome that fails to respond to conservative management.

Our sports and exercise physicians at Prestidge work alongside your treating clinician to determine the most appropriate option for your condition, goals, and stage of recovery. All injectable and prescription treatments are subject to individual clinical assessment. Visit healthweave.com.au or prestidge.com.au to learn more.

Important: All specialist consultations, prescription treatments, and injectable procedures are subject to individual clinical assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Suitability, benefits, and risks will be discussed at your consultation. No outcomes are guaranteed. Prescription medicines are only available following appropriate medical review in accordance with TGA and AHPRA requirements. Exercise programs should be performed only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Exercise images © CPDO / Educom Pty. Ltd. — used under licence.