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17-Year-Old With Constant Wrist Pain – No Diagnosis Despite MRI
Hello everyone,
I'm reaching out on behalf of my 17-year-old daughter, who has been struggling with severe, constant pain in both hands and wrists for over a year, with no clear diagnosis to explain it.
She was a competitive indoor climber, training 6 times a week for several hours each time. The pain began in May of last year, starting in the fingers of both hands (especially the second finger), and was later also felt in the base of both wrists, particularly on the thumb side (radial side).
What’s especially difficult:
She has completely stopped all physical activity for the past year, but the pain has not improved at all.
The pain is present from the moment she wakes up until she goes to bed, every single day.
Even simple tasks like brushing her teeth, writing, or washing her hair cause discomfort.
She now experiences clicking sounds in both wrists, which were not present before the pain started.
There was no traumatic event or major injury that triggered the problem — it came on gradually.
So far:
She has been seen by three orthopedic hand specialists and treated by multiple physiotherapists, but nothing has helped.
She underwent several MRI scans, but no abnormalities were found that could explain the pain.
We are feeling stuck and frustrated. Her quality of life has dropped dramatically, and no one seems to know what’s going on.
Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms — especially in young athletes?
Could there be less common conditions that don’t show up in MRI?
Any thoughts on next steps, treatment paths, or diagnostic tools we may have missed?
Any suggestions would mean the world to us.
Thank you so much,
A concerned parent
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michael, Bless you. Praying for your daughter and you.
I learned that things do not always show up in an MRI. My torn meniscus in my knee did not show up in an
MRI. Bone spurs in my shoulder did not show up in an MRI.
My thoughts:
1) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
2) Tendonitis
3) Bursitis
4) Early onset arthritis
5) Fibromyalgia...you can hurt anywhere with this.
6) An autoimmune disease (A Rheumatologist can run the bloodwork for this).
7) Believe it or not, Thyroid Disease can cause joint issues. A Endocrinologist could run bloodwork for this if
the Rheumatologist will not.
All of these can come from repetitive motion and cause inflammation.
Does arthritis run in your family? Has she tried hand splints? Has Advil been recommended? Mobic is a prescription NSAID that does not cause as much stomach upset. A doctor woud have to prescribe this.
Has she tried soaking in Epsom Salt in the tub and just holding her arms and hands in the bath water? Voltaren
Gel up to 4 times a day was recommended for my issues.....Please let a doctor recommend this. Has she
tried heatpacks?
I am so sorry she is going through this, which means "Mom" is going through this too. Blessings & Prayers...
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2 ReactionsI believe cell phones have created these types of injuries with young people as they are constantly on them. I would try a chiropractor and massage therapy
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1 Reaction@michal
I have a 16 year old son and can empathize with your concern.
Were the MRIs of your daughter’s wrist/hands only?
Have you been to a neurologist for EMG/nerve conduction studies of her upper limbs? If not, that would be good to check communications from brain to upper limbs/muscles and neuromuscular health. That would identify if there is any spinal nerve root compression affecting arms/hands or carpal tunnel syndrome.
You should ask the neurologist or an orthopedic spine specialist to check her cervical spine with a MRI to make sure she doesn’t have compressed nerve roots or spinal cord causing her symptoms. The neurologist can also do bloodwork to check for neuropathy markers.
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1 Reaction@michal
Is your daughter a vegetarian or vegan? Nutritional deficiencies can cause neuropathy symptoms and problems with hands/feet.
The neuropathy bloodwork can check if she is deficient in vitamin B12, iron, etc. A nutritionist/dietitian can review diet/supplements to see if anything should change.
Does your daughter smoke or vape? The chemicals in cigarettes or vape cartridges can damage nerves due to toxicity.
If your daughter hasn’t done physical therapy, that may help address any issues with repetitive motion injuries.
Has she tried cortisone injections or acupuncture for pain management? Working with a pain management specialist might help.
She may want to try sleeping with wrist braces to see if it helps stabilize hands/wrists at night and if it helps reduce morning pain. Wearing them during the day when she has pain may help prevent injury but she doesn’t want to wear them too much where muscles atrophy.
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3 ReactionsHi @michal I'm wondering if she has had blood tests, particularly those that measure inflammation, like CRP and ESR, and infection.
Does she take any painkillers?
Does heat or ice help?
Has anyone tried red light therapy or ultrasound?
Do splints help?
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1 ReactionMy son has wrist pain. He had an X-ray and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. He is a teaching golf pro.
No anti inflammatory has worked. He is thinking of having PRP therapy which is very expensive and there is no guarantee. He has an appointment with a rheumatologist for cortisone injections. This condition is very debilitating.
You have gotten great advice here. My believe is nerve compression coupled with phone overuse. I am dealing with a similar issue right now and my wrist to the top of my thumb is killing me. I can’t recommend CBD cream enough to help with pain until a doc gets to the root cause. I put it on & then a wrist brace which gets me through the day.
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1 ReactionI agree that you are getting some helpful information.
It may be that your daughter over engaged in her activities and that might be causing some of the issues. She might feel it in the wrist- but the problem may be from somewhere else.
I too have clicking in my joints, especially after a very bad accident.
No matter what, I suggest keep moving and engaging in breathing practice that will help modulate any pain and discomfort. Tai chi and yoga can be very calming. If it is something to consider, an anti-inflammatory lifestyle might be an option. Consult your trusted professionals and see what they recommend.
Don't give up. It is a process of discovery. Be advocates and ask questions and guide the experts to the answers.
Hi @michal
I am so sorry to hear about your daughter's pain. I do understand the pain monster in so many different ways. Like everyone else I have advice. For my hand painful multiple injuries, I see a cranial sacral therapist, PT , and an ortho or two. I had ultrasound to my elbows for nerve issues, worked great 30 years ago trying to convince them now.... I had red-light therapy which was developed for carpal tunnel, that also worked, it took time, it repairs not relieves. A Cranial sacral therapist has given me the most relief, put body parts back where they belong with no pain. Voltaren gel OTC nsaid works wonders for swelling. Also, has there been an MRI of the neck?
Regards,
JFN
I had wrist pain and my hand became weak. Dr that specializes in hands and wrist had MRI taken. He didn't think carpel tunnel, not sure. I went to our chiropractor, he said it is a pinched nerve in the neck. He was right. 2 treatments later and it was fixed. Been fine ever since.