Wrist pain during pushups

[drumsc02]

Here is what I am sure is a common problem. For the past 6 months, i have been getting pain in my right wrist while doing pushups. The pain is usually mild to medium in intensity, and is only there while doing push-ups. Lately, i have been hearing cracking coming from the wrist, and sometimes, i feel a pop. I did not fall or sprain it to my belief. Last week, my chiropractor looked at it, and adjusted it. When he adjusted it, the was a VERY loud crack, and it was pain ful for a few days, now the pain is back to where it was before. I have also been receiving electric stim. and ultra-sound over the wrist, but it doesn't seem to help much. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong?
-The problem is that I will be beginning a fire academy in september, and we do 50-100 pushups daily. I will be thrown out if i have an injury like this. Also, I don't want to get an MRI, because the FD will be checking my medical background, and the may disqualify me if they see a recent MRI. As you can see, I have a problem here. Anyone have any ideas? Please!

[star queen]

Cracking and popping in the joints are not a problem usually worried about unless it is accompanied with pain.  Since you bend the hand back alot when doing pushups you may have dislocated a joint in the wrist or you may be experiencing a form of carpal tunnel syndrome.  These are easily identified on an xray, but see an orthopedist for it.  Radiologists and orthopedists look for different things on an xray.

[drumsc02]

Thanks for the opinion......I just had an X-Ray, and all bones are clean.  I then saw an ortho-doctor PA, and she told me that it may be a sprain with possible ligament damage.  I don't see how, because I never fell on it or anything.  She was very vauge with her diagnosis, and didn't really offer any ways to help it.  Do you have any suggestions on how to help it?

[star queen]

Sprains are often worse than fractures and take a long time to heal.  The more you use the wrist, the longer it may take to heal, but don't make the mistake of not using it because it needs to be "worked" or it will get stiff. Ligament involvement is typical of sprains and are one of several factors considered in treatment plans.  Ice for the swelling and pain are helpful.  You can just put the entire hand and wrist in a pan of cold water for best results.  Stretch the wrist often to keep up the range of motion.  A wrist brace may prove helpful, especially when doing pushups. Avoid doing pushups with the wrist flexed and hands flat on the floor. The best thing is to train to do the pushups with fingers raised instead of flat.  This keeps the wrist straighter and promotes healing.  They are difficult to do, or you can train to do one handed pushups.  They are always impressive. Time and rest is the best, but almost imposible in the wrist (esp. if it is the dominate wrist), which is what contributes to the time it takes to heal. The more you abuse the wrist the longer it will take to heal.  NSAIDs may help with the pain and swelling and there are prescription meds out there you can talk to the doctor to see what he/she suggests for you.  Sorry, but there is no quick fix on this one.  Hope this is helpful.

[Lucky06]

Hi there,
        I use to have this problem when I was younger, I was actively involved in Soccer, Boxing and Tae Kwon Do so I needed to be fit all over. People told me that I may have sprained my wrists or pulled ligiments or something like that. After a good check-up I was cleared of all that.
   On one occassion my boxing trainer instructed me to lay off the pushups for a few weeks and concentrate on forearm curls.

   I suggest you give this a try as it stopped my pain and cracking. All you do is 3x20 forearm curls on both sides. If you don't know how to do them, look it up on the net. Do 3 sets of 20 reps, twice daily...say mid morning and afternoon. Leave 2minutes rest between each step.

   It will help strengthen you wrists (which may not be use to the weight of your body), forearms and flexors.

   Let me know how you go.

   God Bless.

[Lucky06]

And also use light weights when doing them, if your wrists click or move, if you have pain in them while you do forearm curls...use a lighter weight. It may seem to easy using a lighter weight, but it will all add up. Also, if you have time, everynow and then, buy a brand new tennis ball and squeeze it in you hand. Do the same of squeezes on both arms, this will help strengthen you wrists to.

God Bless.

[drumsc02]

Thanks for the tips everyone.  I got an MRI yesterday, and am awaiting the results.  I'll keep you all posted of the results.  Thanks again

[dkortlandt]

Very interested in the result as I have the same exact issue. What i have been doing to compensate is to do push ups while making a fist. This helps strengthen the wrist because you are keeping it straight while performing the push-up. I had been diagnosed several years back with mild carpal tunnel while i was doing construction work since removing myself from the field I have not had very much wrist pain until i started doing push ups regularly. For a while I was fine then the pain came back and got to the level where I could only do 15 before my body called it quits. Sound Familiar?

[Dr Vinod]

Carpal tunnel syndrome can reoccur and the best treatment is avoiding any maneuver which causes it,