What NOT to Do With Wrist Tendinitis: Critical Mistakes to Avoid
What not to do with wrist tendinitis?
The Quick Answer
**Never push through pain**—continuing aggravating activities worsens microtears. Avoid heat during acute phase (first 72 hours)—it increases inflammation. Don't immobilize completely—causes tendon adhesions. Skip strengthening exercises—delays functional recovery. Ignore persistent pain beyond 2 weeks—may indicate tendinopathy requiring specialized treatment rather than simple rest.
Why We Ask This
Cultural 'no pain, no gain' mentality drives patients to continue provocative activities despite wrist pain—transforming acute inflammation into chronic tendinopathy through repetitive microtrauma that exceeds tissue healing capacity.
The Practical Science
Pain during activity indicates mechanical stress exceeding tissue tolerance. Continuing despite pain creates cumulative microdamage that shifts healing from resolution to degeneration—particularly dangerous during the vulnerable 7–14 day proliferative phase when new collagen is mechanically weak.
In Clinical Practice
A programmer experiencing wrist pain during typing continues working through discomfort for 3 weeks—developing chronic tendinopathy requiring 4 months of rehabilitation versus 3 weeks of modified activity and early intervention that would have resolved acute tendonitis.
References & Context
Wrist Tendonitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment - Cleveland Clinic"Never push through wrist pain; try to avoid typing, lifting heavy items and rotating your wrist so your tendons can heal. RICE method: At-home treatments such as rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) can help minimize wrist swelling and pain."