Wrist Injuries and Disorders—Cartilage Disorders

Cartilage is the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of your bones at a joint. It also gives shape and support to other parts of your body, such as your ears, nose and windpipe. Healthy cartilage helps you move by allowing your bones to glide over each other. It also protects bones by preventing them from rubbing against each other.

Injured, inflamed, or damaged cartilage can cause symptoms such as pain and limited movement. It can also lead to joint damage and deformity. Causes of cartilage problems include

• Tears and injuries, such as sports injuries
• Genetic factors
• Other disorders, such as some types of arthritis

Osteoarthritis results from breakdown of cartilage.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

• Costochondritis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Meniscus tears — aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pectus carinatum (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pectus excavatum (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Perichondritis (Medical Encyclopedia)

Your wrist is made up of eight small bones known as carpals. They support a tube that runs through your wrist. That tube, called the carpal tunnel, has tendons and a nerve inside. It is covered by a ligament, which holds it in place.

Wrist pain is common. Repetitive motion can damage your wrist. Everyday activities like typing, racquet sports or sewing can cause pain, or even carpal tunnel syndrome. Wrist pain with bruising and swelling can be a sign of injury. The signs of a possible fracture include misshapen joints and inability to move your wrist. Some wrist fractures are a result of osteoporosis.

Other common causes of pain are

• Sprains and strains
• Tendinitis
• Arthritis
• Gout and pseudogout

• Colles wrist fracture – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)
• De Quervain tendinitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Wrist arthroscopy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Wrist pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Wrist sprain – aftercare (Medical Encyclopedia)