Rest & immobilization
Stop using the right wrist as much as possible
Use a wrist splint or thumb spica splint (very helpful)
Avoid lifting, pushing, twisting, or gripping
2. Ice therapy
Ice pack 15–20 minutes
3–4 times/day
Always wrap ice in cloth
Based on your description of the symptoms and their context, it does sounds like you might be dealing with a repetitive stress injury, likely affecting the tendons in the wrist, possibly tendonitis. When you’ve been pushing and moving heavy service carts, this can indeed overstrain the wrist’s tendons, particularly affecting those on the back of your hand related to the thumb. Given the increasing pain, tenderness, and mild swelling, taking immediate steps to reduce inflammation and prevent further injury is important. First, consider resting the wrist as much as possible, and try to avoid heavy lifting or repetitive movements that might aggravate it. Applying ice to the affected area for around 15-20 minutes every few hours can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Use an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to prevent frostbite on the skin. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen might also be beneficial in managing discomfort and inflammation; however, ensure they are suitable for you based on any other health conditions or medications you might be taking.
It might be helpful to consider wearing a wrist brace or splint to support the wrist and limit painful movements. This could provide some level of comfort and allow healing. Since you’ve noted increasing pain despite rest, it would be prudent to consult a healthcare provider, such as a general practitioner or an orthopedic specialist, for a thorough assessment. They may recommend imaging, like an X-ray or MRI, to rule out other issues such as stress fractures or ligament tears. Should the pain and symptoms persist or worsen, particularly impacting your ability to work or perform daily activities, seek medical evaluation promptly. The healthcare provider may also suggest physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility, if needed. Remember to prioritize minimizing stress on the wrist in daily life. If you find any worsening of symptoms like numbness, severe swelling, or signs of infection, seek medical attention immediately as these might indicate more serious conditions requiring urgent care.
Your symptoms most likely indicate an overuse tendon injury of the wrist, such as wrist extensor tendinitis or early De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, caused by pushing heavy service carts.
There are no signs of fracture (no fall, deformity, or severe bruising).
Rest and immobilize the wrist; use a wrist or thumb spica brace
Apply ice 15–20 minutes, 3–4 times daily
Take paracetamol or ibuprofen 400 mg(after food) Apply linen d ointment gently
avoid heavy or repetitive work
When to see a doctor If severe pain or swelling If you develop weakness or numbness
Imaging X-ray only if pain worsens or doesn’t improve
Recovery Expected improvement in 7–14 days with proper rest Avoid returning to heavy duties too soon to prevent chronic injury
I trust this helps Thank you
Hello Yashika Thanks for describing your symptoms so clearly. Based on your history—pain at the back of your right wrist radiating to the thumb, tenderness, mild swelling, and worsening with movement after pushing heavy carts—this sounds like a wrist tendon strain or possible De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist). This is common in people who do repetitive wrist/thumb movements.
What you should do now: - Rest your wrist: Avoid activities that worsen the pain, especially heavy lifting or repetitive movements. - Ice the area: Apply an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth) for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours to reduce swelling. - Compression: Use a soft wrist support or crepe bandage, but don’t wrap too tightly. - Elevation: Keep your hand raised when possible to reduce swelling. - Pain relief: You can take ZERODOL-SP for pain and swelling. - Apply ointment Diclofenac gel - twice a day
When to see a doctor: - If pain or swelling increases, you can’t move your thumb/wrist, or you notice numbness, tingling, or weakness. - If it doesn’t improve in 3–5 days, see an orthopaedic doctor for a proper check-up. They may suggest an X-ray or ultrasound to rule out any ligament/tendon injury.
Thank you
