The scaphoid bone is one of the small bones of the wrist, which are known as carpal bones. It is located between the hand and forearm on the radial side (the side with the thumb). It is about the size and shape of a cashew. The radial styloid process is a conical bump located on the radius, a bone of the lower arm.
Radial collateral ligament of wrist joint. It is in relation with the radial artery, which separates the ligament from the tendons of the Abductor pollicis longus and Extensor pollicis brevis. The radial collateral ligament's role is to limit ulnar deviation at the wrist.
The radial carpal collateral ligament connects the scaphoid bone and the radial styloid process. This ligament prevents the wrist from bending too far to the side, away from the thumb.
The scaphoid bone takes a lot of force to break. Nonetheless, it is the most commonly fractured bone of the wrist. Fractures of the scaphoid often occur during sporting activities, when someone falls on their outstretched hand and hyperextends their wrist. Fractures of the scaphoid are usually slow to heal, due to limited blood circulation. Damage to the bone can cause damage to the radial carpal collateral ligament.
Improper healing of fractured bones and stretched or torn ligaments is a primary cause of osteoarthritis. Arthritis itself can then cause further deterioration of the ligaments.
The wrist is a complex area made of many bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. The outer side of the wrist is the side containing the thumb.
The main structures in this area are the radius bone that extends from the elbow to the wrist, the scaphoid and lunate carpal bones located deep within the wrist, the first metacarpal bone located between the carpal bones and the base of the thumb, and the radial and median nerves. Any of these structures can be the source of outer wrist pain. The main causes of pain on the outer side of the wrist are ligament damage, nerve entrapment, De Quervain tenosynovitis, fractures and arthritis. The most common injury to the outer wrist is damage to the ligaments. Usually the ligaments are simply stretched, resulting in a mild sprain that heals relatively quickly. Ligament tears are more serious and can cause movement or dislocation of bones in the area, especially the lunate or radius bones. Gamekeeper's thumb is a sprain or tear of the ligament at the base of the thumb.
![Ligament Ligament](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125512052/868657354.png)
It often develops gradually, due to repeated thumb movements. The ligament can also be injured suddenly, such as by falling onto an outstretched thumb or falling while holding onto an upright ski pole. Nerves can become entrapped in the wrist as they travel through narrow spaces.
When inflammation and scar tissue are also present, they further reduce the size of the space and increase the likelihood of nerve entrapment. Wrist inflammation may occur with an acute injury or repeated wrist movements, such as when typing or writing. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed within a tunnel formed by the carpal bones. An entrapped median nerve causes pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in the palm side of the outer wrist, the palm itself, the thumb and the first two and one-half fingers. Wartenberg syndrome occurs when a branch of the radial nerve becomes entrapped, producing pain, numbness and tingling on the back side of the outer wrist and the back side of the thumb.
De Quervain tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of the coverings, or sheaths, of two tendons that travel from the forearm to the thumb. These tendons are the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons. The inflammation produces pain and swelling in the outer wrist and stiffness of the thumb. De Quervain tenosynovitis is typically caused by repetitive thumb movements, such as playing video games. It can also occur with an injury caused by athletic or recreational activities or during a fall. Joint inflammation, or arthritis, is a relatively common cause of wrist pain. In osteoarthritis, joints are damaged by repetitive 'wear and tear' injuries to the joint surfaces.
This type of arthritis often involves multiple joints in the body, especially as people get older. Younger people without generalized osteoarthritis may develop osteoarthritis of one or both wrists due to repeated wrist movements, frequent sprains or unhealed fractures or dislocated joints. Osteoarthritis typically causes an achy type of chronic pain, which may be accompanied by a grinding sound during wrist movements. Copyright ©2019Leaf Group Ltd.Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM,and.The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only.
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