Forearm Tendon Pain when wrist moves. wrist grinding and popping.

[kcho]

It totally does NOT scream carpal tunnel syndrome to me.

I think they maybe bough on by your art related activities. Technical stuff + stress = excessive tension --> joints and muscle dysfunction??

Left hand: I would suggest you to research on "alexander technique" application to "pain problems".
I'm thinking maybe there is excessive tension in the wrist flexor & extensor muscles when you are using your hand, causing unnecessary force through your wrist. A simple way I could think of: keep left hand totally relaxed and move it with your right hand alone in the same way you described that usually cause your grinding/popping symptom. If there is no/minimal symptom when the movement is performed passively by right hand, then my assumption is correct. However, it doesn't mean there is absolutely nothing wrong with the wrist joint and tendons, just that they could be secondary symptom caused by muscle imbalance, (or could have some unusual/ serious problem underneath which need further investigation, but don't worry too much just yet).

Right hand: It sounds like tendon problem, but pain is not reliable. What you feel may not be what its actually happening. You should get it checked out by orthopaedic Dr, and physiotherapist. They are most capable at dealing with pain problems. In my opinion, you should get it checked out, make sure there isn't any radioulnar joint ( within forearm) problem, or any other serious causes. Once that's done, physiotherapist can work on the tendons with you.
Treatment will be divided into three parts:
1) Relieve inflammation ( Ultrasound, Ice)
2) Reduce tightness (Stretching)
3) Increase elasticity/loading capacity of tendons (Eccentric loading exercise, with weight)
The most important thing is to learn when to increase weight for the exercise. Progress too early will set you back big time, or even worse than before. You really need hands on session with you therapist to work out a safe loading weight to use.

Don't forget to mention your Left hand problem to your therapist while you're at it.
From what I know, "alexander technique" is not part of physio training, and its not common either. So don't be surprised if they haven't heard of it. You'll have more luck searching for videos in youtube. Once you understand the core concepts, you can apply it as many way as you could imagine. Its really very good, a life long skill.

All the best!

[ReinaBoyle]

Kcho, really informative post.

[steamer344]

I've been researching my symptoms online and I came across this site and I feel compelled to write in the hopes of getting more input to help make up the decision for carpal tunnel surgery. Three 1/2 months ago I went off work on disability leave (Stress) but I also had slight pain in my right and left wrist, which I thought may be the start of carpal tunnel. My right wrist only hurt for about three days. My left about a week of so. After being off work for about a week my wrists got better. Than I injured my right side of my body. For two days, I could hardly move my whole right arm, from my shoulder to my fingers. Most the pain went away except now my wrist would pop out of place. I would have to pop it back into place. It hurts after popping so many times. My primary doctor sent me to an orthopedic doctor and a neurologist. He said it was tendonitis. I had my right wrist in a splint for two months until the orthopedic doctor told me to stop wearing it. The neurologist said it was negative for carpal tunnel with nerve issue at my right side of neck only(I think thats just my scoliosis). The orthopedic doctor gave me an MRI. Findings normal except ganglion cyst at distal part of scaphoid 7mm (can't see from visible eye). I read alot about it and thought maybe that was in the way and why my bone would not stay in place but nothing I read online said anything about cyst causing popping. Then my forearm started popping. Now I'm just so confused because the new ortho doctor I got said it's carpal tunnel but he couldn't explain about the popping and wouldn't you know it, everytime I'm at the doctor's office my wrist and forearm doesn't pop but they pop all the other times! My forearm pop hurts the worse (a harder pop like my muscles popped or something). I just have a feeling the popping is from tendons and that I may have slight carpal tunnel but surgery won't relieve the popping.
Any information on the matter would be so so appreciated.