Wrist problems

alphado
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4168
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8/15/2006
Location
Erie, PA, USA

My left wrist keeps giving out while riding. It folds up, as if I was bending it backwards. No warning whatsoever. I have had carpal tunnel surgery many years ago. Not sure what to do. Brace, exercises? Any ideas?

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3strokemx
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10/10/2026 10:18am Edited Date/Time 10/11/2026 1:26pm

IMO bracing might give you a little more stability on the bike, but will build dependency and never actually solve the problem.

Carpel Tunnel surgery cuts your fascia. Fascia is the thin tissue attached to and surrounding all muscles and organs.  When the fascia is damaged it often presents as muscle imbalance and weaknesses. 

If it was me, I would get massages with a focus on arm, wrist, and hands. This could allow the fascia to return to it's original location and undo the wrinkles cause by the surgery. 
 

Also eating bone broth and collagen would aid recovery because it's supplying the raw material needed for fascia regrowth.

As wrist function improved, I'd do dynamic strength training, basically pushups/pull ups, or functional exercise like chopping wood or digging. Easing into it and focused more on duration than intensity.  (Static weight training could be helpful too, but most exercises isolate specific muscles and very few focus on the wrist. Grip strength training or manual labor seems to be most effective for hand/wrist).

I'd expect it would take a few months but would be better than ever.

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FGR01
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USA
Fantasy
10/10/2026 12:25pm

I would definitely get a brace.  They are suitable for preventing the exact scenario you have -hyper extension.  PT is the long term answer, but a brace should help prevent bad situations in the meantime.

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profmur
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Somewhere, NJ, USA
10/10/2026 1:33pm

Go see a wrist orthopedist specialist.   

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Brad460
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Richfield, WI, USA
Fantasy
10/10/2026 4:06pm

Maybe lacking grit…

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The Shop

skypig
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Caloundra, AU
10/10/2026 4:14pm
profmur wrote:

Go see a wrist orthopedist specialist.   

My wrists both deteriorated. First it hurt to do push ups. It just got worse and worse. Finally i “tweeked” them bad in a Road Racing incident. Even when they “recovered” from the “tweek” it was painful to ride my MTB (Which I was doing most days - disaster!)

I went to a physio - got X-rays, ultrasound scans, and finally MRIs. My GP told me the cartilage had worn away and there was nothing to do - offered pain killers 
Physio couldn't do anything - but recommended a wrist/hand specialist.
Hand specialist couldn’t do anything - but recommended a (top) surgeon.

Eventually got in to see the surgeon: who offered a surgical repair. Arthroscopically  grind the bones back to create clearance and have a smooth joint surface. No joke of an operation.

I went ahead - and I’m back riding.

Don’t give up - keep searching until you find an answer. (Or worst case exhaust all possibilities.)

4
10/10/2026 5:31pm

My left lunate bone is broken and has died years ago, struggling with pain every ride but i am not giving up, i use mobius wrist brace, after few rides you wont notice it..

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alphado
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Location
Erie, PA, USA
10/10/2026 5:37pm

I ordered a Möbius. Thanks FGR!

3
10/10/2026 5:48pm

If you haven't injured your wrist most likely you have stiffness in your neck/traps/elbow, get that loose and you should see improvements.


Skip through this and see if you can relate to this mans symptoms.
 

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steveloyer
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313
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11/29/2022
Location
Palmer, AK, USA
10/10/2026 9:55pm

It sounds like there is just no ligaments or muscles around it anymore. Id go get an MRI so you can understand it more, there is a lot of brace options out there. The wrong one could do more damage than good for your safety while riding and your body.

10/11/2026 7:21am
alphado wrote:

I ordered a Möbius. Thanks FGR!

You should find a good physical therapist...one with a background in athletics or as an athlete themselves (the goal of physical therapy is to get you to a functional point where you can do your everyday activities. A PT who's an athlete or former athlete will understand that you need more than that). Get in , get seen, and do the exercises they recommend. It'll take time, and likely be painful at first, but you'll be glad you did. 

I've got arthritis in both wrists, and carpal tunnel syndrome (had the surgery on the felt). I had no grip strength, and couldn't ride without extreme pain. These days I have an iron grip and I can get off the couch and go ride for hours 

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Chris_Buehler
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PORTLAND, CT, USA
10/11/2026 7:27am
profmur wrote:

Go see a wrist orthopedist specialist.   

This

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captmoto
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA
10/11/2026 7:40am
profmur wrote:

Go see a wrist orthopedist specialist.   

Duh. You mean there are professionals that can actually help?

mooch
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USA
Fantasy
10/11/2026 11:28am

Alphado, if you've not already done so, I suggest you pose this question on Facebook.  There, you'll get a much greater array of answers to this question. 

Granted youve been given some awesome suggestions here, but you'll be given so many more options on FB as to what is causing this and what you can do to resolve the issue.  Don't limit yourself when it comes to your health!

 

10/11/2026 11:39am

I broke a couple metacarpals in my right hand a few years ago and have had grip issues since. I’ve found using finger/resistance bands and a grip trainer when I drive to/from work each day greatly helps with my ride ability and longevity. Not a fix all for everyone, but something that worked for me. Still have to get a cortisone shot in the wrist 1-2 times a year depending on how bad it’s treating me.

Camp332
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8/16/2006
Location
Zoo Jersey, USA
10/12/2026 10:54am

Hope you're better quick!

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