Wrist Discomfort When Bending Forward
Greetings everyone, I’m a 19-year-old guy who sustained a wrist injury roughly four years ago while playing rugby—specifically, I fell on the back of my hand during a tackle. Initially, I experienced considerable pain but never sought a thorough evaluation. Recently, however, I’ve noticed my wrist feels unstable and presents some unusual symptoms that I can’t find much information about: - While flexing my wrist forward, a hard bump appears on the top of my wrist. - This lump vanishes when I make a fist, but it re-emerges when I stretch my fingers out. - Moving my wrist isn’t smooth; it seems to jump from approximately 45° to around 90° rather than progressing fluidly. - Occasionally, it feels like my wrist dislocates, resulting in intense pain and a significant loss of mobility until I manually reposition it, which is uncomfortable and accompanied by a cracking sensation. - After a few days, the pain subsides, and I regain mobility. - Most of the discomfort is located on the back of the wrist, right where the lump forms. - I haven’t noticed significant strength reduction, though there are moments when it gives way if I'm pushing something with my wrist fully extended. I underwent an x-ray that showed no abnormalities. A physiotherapist I consulted recommended that I see a specialist. I currently have an upcoming appointment with a hand and wrist surgeon, but in the meantime, I’m looking to better understand what might be happening. Has anyone else encountered similar issues or have insights into what this might be? Based on what I’ve researched, it seems like it could potentially be related to scapholunate ligament injury or midcarpal instability. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/23/2025, 9:32:00 PM
OpenHealth AI
It seems you are dealing with some significant wrist discomfort that has persisted since your rugby injury, and it's understandable to feel concerned about your symptoms. The presence of a hard bump, instability, and episodes resembling dislocations are important indicators that warrant further investigation.
Key Points:
- Possible Causes: Your symptoms, including the lump that appears with wrist flexion, jumping motion, and episodes of dislocation-like pain, may suggest issues such as scapholunate ligament injury, midcarpal instability, or potential tendon injuries.
- Importance of Professional Evaluation: You have already scheduled an appointment with a hand and wrist surgeon, which is a critical step towards getting a proper diagnosis.
Explanation:
The wrist is a complex joint made up of multiple bones and ligaments, which can be affected by previous injuries. The bump you describe might be related to a tendon or ligament issue that causes the structures in your wrist not to function smoothly together. The feeling of instability and the need to manually reposition your wrist are signals that there could be an underlying structural problem.
Next Steps:
- Continue with your scheduled appointment: This is essential for getting a clear diagnosis. Bring a detailed description of your symptoms and any treatments you've tried.
- Limit activities that worsen your symptoms: Avoid pivoting movements or heavy lifting until you have a definitive diagnosis. If certain movements exacerbate your pain, give those activities a rest.
- Apply ice: If you experience pain or swelling after activities, gently icing your wrist for 15-20 minutes can help reduce inflammation.
- Strengthening exercises: Once cleared by your surgeon, consider gently strengthening wrist exercises. Start with simple stretches as recommended by your physiotherapist, focusing on maintaining mobility without straining your wrist.
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep a symptom diary, noting what activities increase your discomfort, which could assist the surgeon in making an accurate diagnosis.
It's great that you are being proactive about your health. While it’s normal to feel anxious about your symptoms, many wrist conditions can be managed effectively with appropriate guidance. Please ensure to follow up with your healthcare team for tailored advice after your appointment.
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