Sometimes, there’s nothing better than putting pen to paper and getting those creative thoughts out of your head, scribbling away, jotting everything down, until…. you feel a little bit of pain.
Tenderness in your wrist, possibly from writing for too long, holding the pen awkwardly, or perhaps an underlying issue causing discomfort when you write?
Before you decide to put down your writing utensil for good, let us help.
Specialist wrist and hand surgeon, Ladan Hajipour, has experience in all aspects of the hand, helping patients every day with a range of diagnoses and treatment plans to improve productivity and quality of life.
In this post, we look specifically at pain in the wrist caused by writing and preventative measures you can take to avoid further problems, such as a TFCC tear.
Your hands
Our hands are complex structures made up of a series of bones, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
All working together and supporting each other, the bones of the hand help to provide the support/structure. The muscles and tendons help with your movement and flexibility, whereas the nerves help us to feel and allow us to control our movements.
Unfortunately, when one of these areas is damaged or impacted somehow, it will affect the entire hand and wrist.
Hand cramps when writing
Writer’s cramp is very real and affects your fingers, hands, and even your forearm.
Causing problems with coordination, wrists and elbows moving in unusual positions, hands and fingers failing to respond to commands, and more.
There are two types of writer’s cramp to be aware of:
Simple writer’s cramp – difficulty in writing only.
Dystonic writer’s cramp affects all activities involving the hand.
Why does my hand hurt when I write?
Writing engages various muscles. From gripping to the angle we hold the pen, movement across the paper, pressure we use to write, and more, we use all of the elements of the hand to allow us to put pen to paper.
However, writing too much can be detrimental, and there are several reasons why your hand hurts from writing, including:
Repetitive strain injury – when joints and muscles become stressed, nerves can become compressed and irritated, causing inflammation, numbness, and tingling to occur. This can lead to weakness in the hand, wrist, and even up into the forearm. It’s important to have breaks from writing, ideally every 30 minutes, stretching your hands and fingers to help with circulation.
If not treated, or the hand is not rested, it can lead to more serious conditions such as:
Carpal tunnel syndrome – in these situations, the median nerve will be compressed, causing swelling of the tendons. You will feel considerable pain, a numbing sensation, tingling in the fingers, and muscle weakness.
In these circumstances, the best course of action is to speak with a professional who may recommend wearing a wrist splint to support and rest the wrist, physiotherapy to help strengthen and improve muscle flexibility, and, in severe cases, surgery may be discussed.
Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid) causes inflammation and pain in the hand joints, making it difficult to grip pens or even type on a standard keyboard due to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
TFCC tear – focusing on the little finger and the side of the wrist, a TFCC wrist (triangular fibrocartilage complex) is a structure that supports small carpal bones. When we hold a pen, it is also the structure that helps to keep our forearm bones stable. Types of TFCC tear: Type 1 – often caused by falling with an outstretched arm, Type 2 – structures in the hand are worn down over time. Causing a sore hand from writing, if you do suspect a TFCC tear, it’s important to see a medical professional who can provide a range of TFCC tear treatment options, including non-surgical.
Poor writing habits – poor posture can negatively impact your writing, and the pain that can often be associated with writing. For example, slouching can cause you to bend your arms uncomfortably in order to write, leading to discomfort and pain. Make sure you don’t slouch or hunch over your desk, and try not to use excessive force when gripping the pen or writing too hard.
Tips for prevention
To avoid wrist pain from writing too much, there are practical steps you can put in place to help.
For example:
- Use assistive devices such as ergonomic keyboards that help promote a more natural hand and wrist position to reduce strain and pressure on the wrist. Ergonomic pens are also available and offer a larger grip and a cushioned surface.
- Correct your posture. Sit straight, use appropriate back supports where necessary, and place your feet flat on the floor with your shoulders relaxed.
- Don’t grip the pen too tightly or use excessive force to type.
- Use a splint to help support the wrist and hand. Splints also offer some relief from arthritis symptoms.
- Take regular breaks from writing and stretch and rotate your hands and fingers. Put the pen down when you’re not writing and limit your daily writing time.
- Try to do a different activity every now and then, using different muscles and joints.
- Carry out some deep breathing exercises and meditation to help reduce stress and tension in the hands.
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce swelling and pain.
If you experience any of the following symptoms in your hands or wrist, please speak with a professional as soon as possible:
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Sore joints
- Trouble gripping
- Difficulty making a fist.
Hand pain writing
Whether you prefer working with pen and paper or sitting and typing at a desk, you must prioritise self-care.
Maintaining long-term hand health and addressing pain promptly is key.
We have years of experience helping people with various wrist and hand problems, tailoring treatment to suit individual needs.
To find out more and book a consultation call 0808 1010337