Wrist pain & gaming

[Blzer]

I kind of had bad wrists, especially my right wrist. I'm definitely exaggerating that, but there's still pain after long hours of something (including baseball). I can kind of blame myself, because I used to crack it all of the time. Anyway, just a few days ago it seemed to hurt to text, and I just tried to play my Vita earlier and I hardly could. I had to put it down.

Typing now, it feels warm, numb, and tingly. I don't know if it's early stages of carpal tunnel or any sort of sprain or what have you, but I know wrists can be permanently damaged, which is always a scary thought.

Since I'm only 25 years old, I'm sure some of you have experienced wrist things before. I wondered what you guys do to circumvent such injuries, or what this might be, etc.

[DukeC]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

I kind of had bad wrists, especially my right wrist. I'm definitely exaggerating that, but there's still pain after long hours of something (including baseball). I can kind of blame myself, because I used to crack it all of the time. Anyway, just a few days ago it seemed to hurt to text, and I just tried to play my Vita earlier and I hardly could. I had to put it down.

Typing now, it feels warm, numb, and tingly. I don't know if it's early stages of carpal tunnel or any sort of sprain or what have you, but I know wrists can be permanently damaged, which is always a scary thought.

Since I'm only 25 years old, I'm sure some of you have experienced wrist things before. I wondered what you guys do to circumvent such injuries, or what this might be, etc.

Spoiler

On a serious note I really don't have anything constructive to add. I'm one of those people that refuse to go to the doctor's at all costs and tend to wait out any problems and let my body heal itself.

If it's warm, numb, and tingly did you happen to fall asleep on it? Cause that's usually the sensations I get after rolling over on my stomach in the middle of the night.

[Blzer]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

If it's warm, numb, and tingly did you happen to fall asleep on it? Cause that's usually the sensations I get after rolling over on my stomach in the middle of the night.

It's been like this the last few days, and it's incredibly symptomatic of pain that I've felt before from doing intense physical things.

[DukeC]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

It's been like this the last few days, and it's incredibly symptomatic of pain that I've felt before from doing intense physical things.

Here's what I found trolling around for some answers for you:

"Numbness in the fingers is one of main symtoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. A good way to test for cts is to rub an ice cube on the fore wrist when your fingers are numb. (it works for me) If the numbness subsides you should get tested for cts."

Site: http://www.thehelpinghand.com/discus/messages/4/15.html

If it's just your wrist it seems like a severe sprain to me, but then again, I'm not a doctor.

[Feared]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

I actually am just coming off a severe TFCC sprain. (Ligament damage on Ulnar side of the wrist) It happened while weight lifting, my form slipped on just 1 rep and my wrist bent backwards in an awkward position. It's been 2 months and I'm just starting to get over it, but it's not back 100% yet, still can't lift for another 2-4 weeks, at first I had really bad pain even with simple things like brushing teeth, turning a doorknob, and pouring water from a pitcher.

Let me ask you a few questions: Where is the wrist pain located?

Radial side - Thumb dominant part of the wrist
Ulnar side - Pinky side, generally weaker side of the wrist
Center part - straight down the middle?

What type of activities besides typing, holding a controller bring on the pain? From your symptoms it sounds like *speculating here only a doctor can you tell for sure*

- Possible pinched nerve along the wrist
- Early onset of Carpal Tunnel, or Cubital tunnel syndrome

Don't panic as this is probably from overusing the computer, playing video games for an extended period of time without breaking/stretching.

For now I'd say ice it for 15-20 minutes at least 3 times a day, avoid any activities that strain your wrist. Try not to type or use the computer for a prolonged period of time. If it's really serious buy a wrist brace, bandage to keep your wrist/hand straightened and aligned for the day, and avoid sleeping on your hand. Also look up Carpal, Cubital tunnel wrist Stretching exercises and try to do those daily.

Good luck with your wrist issue, as I can tell you it's really a pain in the butt to have wrist problems especially in the hand you use the most as it interferes with day to day activities.

[av7]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

I actually am just coming off a severe TFCC sprain. (Ligament damage on Ulnar side of the wrist) It happened while weight lifting, my form slipped on just 1 rep and my wrist bent backwards in an awkward position. It's been 2 months and I'm just starting to get over it, but it's not back 100% yet, still can't lift for another 2-4 weeks, at first I had really bad pain even with simple things like brushing teeth, turning a doorknob, and pouring water from a pitcher.

Let me ask you a few questions: Where is the wrist pain located?

Radial side - Thumb dominant part of the wrist
Ulnar side - Pinky side, generally weaker side of the wrist
Center part - straight down the middle?

What type of activities besides typing, holding a controller bring on the pain? From your symptoms it sounds like *speculating here only a doctor can you tell for sure*

- Possible pinched nerve along the wrist
- Early onset of Carpal Tunnel, or Cubital tunnel syndrome

Don't panic as this is probably from overusing the computer, playing video games for an extended period of time without breaking/stretching.

For now I'd say ice it for 15-20 minutes at least 3 times a day, avoid any activities that strain your wrist. Try not to type or use the computer for a prolonged period of time. If it's really serious buy a wrist brace, bandage to keep your wrist/hand straightened and aligned for the day, and avoid sleeping on your hand. Also look up Carpal, Cubital tunnel wrist Stretching exercises and try to do those daily.

Good luck with your wrist issue, as I can tell you it's really a pain in the butt to have wrist problems especially in the hand you use the most as it interferes with day to day activities.

I had surgery to repair my TFCC injury from years ago last September. 1 year since the surgery, still not 100%. Wrist injuries, for me, have always been the worst to deal with.

[SPTO]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

Someone said it already but as soon as I saw the topic I thought "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome". I've had the symptoms of it from time to time when it comes to typing on the keyboard here. It's never gotten so bad that i've felt the pain longer than 4 hrs at the most.

[Blzer]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

Let me ask you a few questions: Where is the wrist pain located?

Radial side - Thumb dominant part of the wrist
Ulnar side - Pinky side, generally weaker side of the wrist
Center part - straight down the middle?

Mostly on the pinky side/bottom.

What type of activities besides typing, holding a controller bring on the pain? From your symptoms it sounds like *speculating here only a doctor can you tell for sure*

- Possible pinched nerve along the wrist
- Early onset of Carpal Tunnel, or Cubital tunnel syndrome

Also things that involve gripping, like opening a bottle or lifting something heavy.

For now I'd say ice it for 15-20 minutes at least 3 times a day, avoid any activities that strain your wrist. Try not to type or use the computer for a prolonged period of time. If it's really serious buy a wrist brace, bandage to keep your wrist/hand straightened and aligned for the day, and avoid sleeping on your hand. Also look up Carpal, Cubital tunnel wrist Stretching exercises and try to do those daily.

Thanks, I'll be looking to do this. Hard to keep me off the keyboard though.

Good luck with your wrist issue, as I can tell you it's really a pain in the butt to have wrist problems especially in the hand you use the most as it interferes with day to day activities.

Actually, it's a pain in the wrist.

But yeah, definitely. I just wondered with all of the gamers on here that somebody else might have had wrist injuries before that stopped them from prolonged gaming sessions.

[Feared]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

If it's on the Ulnar side of the hand it might not be your Median nerve, so maybe you should look up Ulnar Nerve flossing/stretching exercises. The reason I think it's a nerve issue is because you said you have a feeling of warmth and tingling in your hand/fingers. Ligament sprains usually there is a sharp pain, and some inflammation.

Try the icing, rest, and stretching exercises and if it's still really bothering you in a Weeks time see a Hand Therapist, or Orthopedic.

I had surgery to repair my TFCC injury from years ago last September. 1 year since the surgery, still not 100%. Wrist injuries, for me, have always been the worst to deal with.

Dang man what did you do to injure your TFCC?

[av7]

Re: Wrist pain & gaming

If it's on the Ulnar side of the hand it might not be your Median nerve, so maybe you should look up Ulnar Nerve flossing/stretching exercises. The reason I think it's a nerve issue is because you said you have a feeling of warmth and tingling in your hand/fingers. Ligament sprains usually there is a sharp pain, and some inflammation.

Try the icing, rest, and stretching exercises and if it's still really bothering you in a Weeks time see a Hand Therapist, or Orthopedic.


Dang man what did you do to injure your TFCC?

From my previous life of motocross racing, it was just a nagging injury but finally gave way. Sometimes I know they'll skip surgery and do a cast for 4-6 weeks but I read mixed reviews about it.

The pain portion for me wasn't what Blzer mentioned. Mine was also sharp pain where it progressively spider webbed up through my hand and also had fluid build up.

One thing I had during physical therapy was a putty that you squeeze until you tire out and if it gets too easy, add this compound that makes it harder to squeeze.

If you have a TFCC injury, theres a few signs like pain from squeezing or rotating your hand. Clicking is another one.