Arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages explained simply

You might wake up one day with a hurting wrist and wonder about arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages. You may not know if it is arthritis or tendonitis, as both can cause pain and swelling in your wrist. This makes it hard to tell which condition you have, and many people mix them up, especially at first.

Pay attention to where your pain is located and what activities make it worse. This can help you find clues about your wrist problem.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome is often confused with arthritis or tendonitis, as these issues share similar signs.
  Understanding the difference between arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages is crucial for selecting the right treatment. If your wrist continues to hurt, you should consult a doctor.

Arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages: Key Differences

To tell arthritis from tendonitis in your wrist, look at what causes your pain and where it hurts. Both can make your wrist sore, but they affect different parts. Arthritis happens in the joints. Tendonitis happens in the tendons. Knowing this helps you figure out your wrist problem.

Symptoms Overview

Pain and Discomfort

You might feel pain in your wrist. The kind of pain and where it is can help you tell them apart. Arthritis pain is deep in the joint. You may feel it when you grip or twist things. Sometimes, your wrist makes clicking or grinding sounds. Tendonitis pain is dull and achy. It gets worse when you move your wrist or use your hand. You may feel cracking or grating when you move.

Stiffness and Swelling

Both can make your wrist stiff, but it happens in different ways. Arthritis makes your wrist stiff after you rest or in the morning. You might see redness, swelling, and weakness near the joint. The swelling from arthritis covers the whole joint. Tendonitis swelling is mild and stays near the tendon. You may feel warmth and tenderness in the sore spot. Sometimes, tendonitis causes numbness, but it does not make your arm tingle.

Notice when your wrist feels stiff or swollen. If it happens after you use your wrist, it may be tendonitis. If it happens after you rest, it may be arthritis.

Here is a table to help you compare the early symptoms of arthritis and tendonitis in your wrist:

Causes Overview

Joint vs Tendon Inflammation

Arthritis and tendonitis in your wrist start in different places. Arthritis causes swelling inside the joint. This can happen if the cartilage wears down or your immune system attacks the joint. Tendonitis causes swelling in the tendons. Tendons are thick cords that connect muscles to bones. When tendons get hurt, they swell and ache.

Common Triggers

Arthritis can happen from years of use or from diseases that attack your joints. Getting older, family history, and old injuries can make it more likely. Tendonitis often starts when you do the same motion over and over, like typing or playing sports. Sudden injuries, like a fall or twist, can also cause tendonitis. If you use your wrist a lot for work or hobbies, you have a bigger chance of getting tendonitis.

Both can start with mild symptoms. Getting help early can stop bigger problems later.

Early Symptoms Explained

Arthritis Symptoms

Burning Sensation

You may notice a burning sensation in your wrist when arthritis begins. This feeling often appears after you use your wrist for gripping or grasping tasks.

The burning pain comes from inflammation inside the joint. You might feel it deep in your wrist, especially after activities that put stress on the joint. The burning sensation can make you uncomfortable and may cause you to avoid using your wrist for certain tasks.

If you feel this type of pain, pay attention to when it happens and what you are doing. This can help you describe your symptoms to your doctor.

If you feel a burning pain in your wrist after using it for heavy tasks, this could be an early sign of arthritis.

Decreased Functionality

Arthritis can make your wrist stiff and hard to move. You may find it difficult to grip objects or twist your wrist. Simple actions like opening a jar or turning a doorknob may become challenging.

The joint may feel weak, and you might notice less movement than before. Swelling and redness can also appear around the joint. These changes can affect your daily life and make it harder to do normal activities.

Tendonitis Symptoms

Pain Location

Tendonitis pain usually stays near the tendon, not deep inside the joint. You may feel a dull ache in your wrist, especially where your arm meets your hand. The pain can spread up to your elbow.

You might notice tenderness when you press on the sore spot. Swelling often appears in the same area, and your wrist may feel warm or look red.

Here is a table showing common early symptoms of wrist tendonitis:

Activity-Related Changes

Tendonitis pain often gets worse when you move your wrist or use your hand. You may feel more discomfort when typing, gripping, pinching, or throwing. The ache and stiffness can be strongest in the morning. Pressure on the wrist makes the pain sharper.

You might hear a creaking or grinding sound when you move your wrist. Weakness can make it hard to do everyday tasks. If you notice these changes, try to rest your wrist and avoid activities that make the pain worse.

Early symptoms of arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages can look similar. Watch for burning pain deep in the joint for arthritis, and activity-related pain near the tendon for tendonitis.

Causes and Risk Factors

Knowing why your wrist hurts can help you protect it. Let’s see what causes arthritis and tendonitis in the wrist.

Arthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritis in the wrist. It happens when the cartilage in your wrist wears down. This makes the bones rub together. You may feel pain, swelling, and stiffness. Osteoarthritis often starts as you get older. It can also happen after a wrist injury, like a break or torn ligament. Some people call this post-traumatic arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system attacks your wrist joint lining. This causes swelling and pain. Your wrist may feel warm and hard to move.

Rheumatoid arthritis can happen at any age. It often starts in adults under 50. Other types, like psoriatic arthritis, can also hurt your wrist. If you have psoriasis, you might get this kind of arthritis.

Common causes of wrist arthritis in adults under 50 include:

• Post-traumatic arthritis from injuries
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis

Your genes and lifestyle can raise your risk for arthritis. If your family has arthritis, you might get it too. Smoking, being overweight, and eating poorly can make it worse. These things can work together, so healthy habits matter.

• Smoking can start rheumatoid arthritis, even without family history.
• Being overweight causes swelling in your body and hurts your joints.
• What you eat can also change your risk for arthritis.

Tendonitis Causes

Overuse

Tendonitis often starts when you use your hands the same way a lot. Doing the same motion over and over can hurt your tendons. You might get tendonitis from typing, playing games, or using tools. Sports like tennis, golf, and baseball can also cause it. Musicians who play for a long time can get tendonitis too.

• Common activities that cause wrist tendonitis:
  • Typing on keyboards for a long time
  • Playing video games for hours
  • Sports with lots of wrist movement
  • Jobs with constant hand use
  • Playing musical instruments

Doing the same hand or wrist motion, like typing or lifting, can strain your tendons. Over time, this makes them swell and hurt. Bad posture or using your hands the wrong way can make tendonitis worse.

Injury

A sudden injury, like a fall or a hit to your wrist, can cause tendonitis. If you hurt your wrist, the tendons can stretch or tear. This leads to pain, swelling, and trouble moving your hand.

If your wrist hurts after a new activity or injury, rest it and see if it gets better. Taking care of it early can stop bigger problems later.

Knowing what causes arthritis and tendonitis in the wrist helps you make good choices. Watch your habits and protect your wrists when you use them.

Diagnosis: Arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages

When your wrist hurts, you want to know what is causing the pain. Doctors use several steps to figure out if you have arthritis or tendonitis. Early on, these two conditions can look very similar. Both can cause pain, swelling, and trouble moving your wrist. This makes it hard to tell them apart without a careful check.

Medical History & Exam

Your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms. You will answer questions about when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and if you have had any injuries. The doctor will want to know if you do any activities that use your wrist a lot, like typing or sports. They may also ask about your family history and other health problems.

What Doctors Look For

During the exam, your doctor will check your wrist for swelling, redness, and warmth. They will press on different spots to see where it hurts most. You may be asked to move your wrist in different ways. The doctor will look for signs that point to either arthritis or tendonitis.

Here is a table that shows how doctors use certain clues to tell the difference:

Note: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can cause numbness and tingling, but these are not common in arthritis or tendonitis.

Doctors often find it hard to tell the difference between arthritis and tendonitis just by looking and touching. Physical exams do not always give clear answers, especially in the early stages. There is not enough strong evidence to show that these exams can always tell the two apart.

• Physical exams may not always help doctors find non-chronic ligament or tendon injuries.
• Doctors sometimes need more tests to make a clear diagnosis.

Tests and Imaging

If your symptoms are not clear, your doctor may order tests. These tests help show what is happening inside your wrist.

X-rays and MRI

• X-rays show the bones in your wrist. They help doctors see if you have arthritis by showing changes in the joint or bone damage. X-rays do not show tendons well.
• MRI gives a detailed picture of soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. MRI is helpful if you have long-lasting or unexplained wrist pain. It can show swelling or tears in the tendons.
• Ultrasound lets doctors see tendons and ligaments in real time. It works well for finding tendon problems and can also help spot early signs of arthritis. Ultrasound is almost as good as MRI for finding swelling in the tendon sheath, especially in early rheumatoid arthritis.

Tip: If your pain does not get better or if your doctor is not sure what is wrong, imaging tests can help find the cause.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can help doctors check for certain types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis. These tests look for signs of inflammation or immune system problems. Blood tests do not show tendonitis, but they can help rule out other causes of wrist pain.

Doctors use all this information together to decide if you have arthritis or tendonitis. Sometimes, the answer is not clear right away. You may need to watch your symptoms over time or try different treatments to see what helps.

Remember: The early symptoms of arthritis vs tendonitis in wrist early stages can overlap. A careful exam and the right tests can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Early Treatment Options

Arthritis Management

Home Care

You can help your wrist at home with easy steps. Heat packs or paraffin baths can make pain and stiffness better. Gentle exercises and stretches keep your wrist moving. This stops it from getting too stiff. Wearing a splint supports your wrist and lowers strain. Massage and ice can help with swelling.

Tip: Do gentle hand exercises every day. This keeps your wrist flexible and may help with pain.

Doing things like exercise, heat, and massage can help with pain and grip strength. These work best if you do them often.

Medications

Medicines are important for treating wrist arthritis. You might use creams like diclofenac to lower pain. These creams work well and have fewer side effects than pills. Pills called NSAIDs also help with pain and swelling. For rheumatoid arthritis, doctors may give you DMARDs. These medicines slow the disease and protect your joints.

If home care and medicine do not help, your doctor may suggest shots or other treatments. Glucocorticoid shots can lower swelling inside the joint. Sometimes, surgery like arthroscopic synovectomy or partial wrist denervation helps you feel better and keep wrist movement.

Note: Always talk to your doctor before you start new medicine or treatments.

Tendonitis Management

Rest and Ice

Rest is the first thing to do for wrist tendonitis. You should stop doing things that make your pain worse. Ice packs on your wrist help with swelling and pain. The RICE method—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—works well for early tendonitis. Wearing a splint keeps your wrist steady and helps tendons heal.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is important for wrist tendonitis. A therapist will make a plan just for you. Therapy has exercises that make your wrist stronger and help it move better. You learn how to avoid painful moves and use your wrist safely. Therapists teach you stretches and routines to help tendons heal.

Callout: Physical therapy helps you get stronger and more flexible. It also lowers your chance of getting hurt again.

Therapists work to lower swelling and bring back movement. They may use ice, massage, and other ways to help pain. You get tips on how to protect your wrist when you do daily things.

You can heal faster if you follow your plan and listen to your therapist. Early care helps your wrist get better.

When to Seek Help

Warning Signs

You may wonder when wrist pain needs a doctor’s attention. Some signs mean you should not wait. If you notice any of these, you should seek help right away:

• Severe pain that does not get better with rest or over-the-counter medicine after two or three days.
• A wrist that looks crooked or has a visible deformity.
• Trouble moving your wrist through its normal range.
• Weak grip or trouble holding objects.
• Swelling that stays for more than a few days.
• Signs of infection, such as warmth, redness, or fever.

If you see any of these warning signs, do not ignore them. Quick action can prevent more serious problems.

Pain that lasts or gets worse can mean a bigger issue. You should not wait for the pain to go away on its own if you see swelling, weakness, or changes in how your wrist looks. Infection can spread fast and needs treatment. A wrist that cannot move or feels weak may have a serious injury.

What to Expect

When you visit a doctor for wrist pain, you will start with a talk about your health. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, your daily activities, and any past injuries. You will share when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and if you have had similar problems before.

The doctor will check your wrist closely. You will move your wrist in different ways. The doctor will test your grip strength and look for swelling, redness, or warmth. They may press on different spots to find where it hurts most. You may answer questions about your lifestyle, such as sports, work, or hobbies.

A full medical history helps the doctor find out if a disease like rheumatoid arthritis could be causing your pain. Some conditions first show up in the wrist, so the doctor will look for clues in your health story.

To find the exact cause, the doctor may order tests. You might get an X-ray to see the bones. An MRI can show soft tissues like tendons and ligaments. Sometimes, a CT scan gives a cross-section view of your wrist. An ultrasound can help the doctor see tendons in real time. If nerve problems are possible, you may have a nerve conduction study.

Tip: Bring a list of your symptoms and any questions to your appointment. This helps you remember important details and get the most from your visit.

You can expect the doctor to explain what they find and talk about treatment options. Early care often leads to better results. If you get help soon, you may heal faster and avoid long-term problems.

You can notice early wrist arthritis if you feel deep pain and stiffness after resting. Tendonitis usually causes pain near the tendon, and it gets worse when you move your wrist. Finding these problems early helps you get the right help. If your pain stays or you are not sure what is wrong, see a doctor. Getting help early has many good effects:

Most people get better if they follow the right plan.

FAQ

How can you tell if your wrist pain is arthritis or tendonitis?

You can check where the pain starts. Arthritis pain sits deep in the joint and feels worse after rest. Tendonitis pain stays near the tendon and gets worse with movement.

Can you have both arthritis and tendonitis in your wrist?

Yes, you can have both at the same time. Arthritis can make your tendons weak. Tendonitis can develop if you use your wrist too much when you already have arthritis.

What activities make wrist tendonitis worse?

Typing, playing sports, lifting, or using tools can make tendonitis worse. Repeating the same wrist motion many times can strain your tendons.

Tip: Take breaks during activities to protect your wrist.

Does wrist arthritis always cause swelling?

No, swelling does not always happen in early arthritis. You may feel stiffness or pain before you see swelling. Swelling often appears as the condition gets worse.

What home remedies help with early wrist pain?

You can use ice packs, gentle stretches, and rest. Wearing a splint can help. Over-the-counter pain medicine may reduce discomfort. Always ask your doctor before starting new treatments.

When should you see a doctor for wrist pain?

See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few days, gets worse, or stops you from using your hand. Seek help if you notice swelling, weakness, or changes in wrist shape.

Can wrist tendonitis heal on its own?

Mild tendonitis can heal with rest and care. You need to avoid activities that cause pain. If pain stays or gets worse, you should see a doctor.

Are blood tests needed for tendonitis?

No, blood tests do not show tendonitis. Doctors use blood tests to check for arthritis or other health problems.