Wrist pain when working for years, goes away with rest usually

[JAN149]

I have been having pain during and after working when I use my wrist with mostly heavier objects. I have seen a doctor several times in the last 10 yrs. They did not do much diagnostic testing, just xrays. I was given a soft wrist wrap which usually makes it worse and I have stopped wearing it after a couple of days when it would get better.
It may be getting worse now or I am working more physically (I doubt it) most of the time.
I have always been somewhat athletic and still bike, run and walk a lot at 55yrs. I do not recall any sever trauma to the wrist but like most active people I have had accidents like on the bicycle, as an example, that I did not feel the need to get medical attention for. The worst pain I can recall seems to be while I am working.
I live in rural Az where the orthopedic doctors may not be as specialized as in the big cities.
Should I make the trip to Phoenix for example and see some kind of specialist? Pulling my hand back towards the arm hurts and it cracks a lot when I twist it.

[JAN149]

I do not do repetitive motion at work. I repair medical imaging equipment and when I have to hold a heavier object with my bad wrist, well the weight is enough to twist the joint and then I have pain there.
I do get numbness in my hands from time to time and it may be do to riding a bicycle a lot.
I have not thought it was carpal tunnel but what do I know. It seems like there is nerve being pressed though.
Thanks for the replies. I will give some thought to getting to a hand surgeon.

[aldunn72023]

If I were you, I would find the best hand surgeon in your area and make an appointment with them.  You need a bone scan, nerve conduction study, and possibly an MRI or CT scan.  It is possible you have carpel tunnel but cannot be sure since I have not seen you.  A hand surgeon is your best bet.  Just because you see them does not mean you have to have surgery.  It is just that they are so much more knowledgeable in the field and can diagnose you after hearing your symptoms since this is what they deal with day after day and what they studied for so many years.  My hand surgeon saved my career.  It was the best decision I ever made.  I would encourage you to do the same.  Family physicians do not know much about the hands where as the hand surgeon knows every disorder, disease, bone, tendon, ligament and muscle in yoru hand/wrist.  I hope you are able to find a great one in your area. They can give you alternatives to surgery to help reduce the pain.  

[geminigirl1963]

You didn't mention what kind of work you do, but if it's anything that involves repetitive motion with the arm/wrist/hand - it could be carpal tunnel.  Sometimes doctors will start trying a treatment of bracing the wrist (something that gives more support than just a soft wrap would), along with anti inflammatory medications and sometimes physical therapy.  When all concservative measures fail to provide relief, there is a surgery that is done for carpal tunnel.

I'm no doctor, so please don't take what I've said as if I was telling you to start taking anti inflammatories or any other type of medication.  You should never start or change a medication wihtout first talking to and getting the approval of your doctor.  I do have a slight case of carpal tunnel in both of my wrists and some of the symptoms you've described I also get too.   I also get tingling/numbness in my pinky fingers after say being at the computer for too long.  Do you ever notice this?  Something you can try that is non-medicinal, woudl be ice packs - ice may help reduce or alleviate any inflammation/swelling you're having, which could help reduce the pain - at last temporarily.

If you have the ability to get to a place that does have better doctors, I think you'd find better results - especially if you can get to a large teaching hospital.  I would definitely suggest a orthopedic surgeon as the doctor to see, and if you can find one that specializies in carpal tunnel and other hand injuries/diseases, that would be even better.  Quite a few hospitals have doctor referral services that are free, so maybe you can call whichever hospital you plan on going to and ask for the name/number of an orthopedic doc that specializes in the hand.  Don't be surprised, however, if it takes a while to get in to see the doc - espeicallly with a larger hospital, their docs tend to be quite busy, so it may be a while before they have an appointment available.  If you're able to get some names from a physician referral service, you can always get more than one name and check with mor than one doctor to see who can get you in the soonest.

Best of luck, and please keep us informed as to what you find out and how you're doing.