Apple Watch causing wrist pain

First I want to stress instead of posting here, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist for nerve studies and and EMG test. This can be three things: carpel tunnel syndrome, trigger finger or a cervical disc compressing a nerve pinching it. I had surgery on both wrists in 2015 for carpel tunnel. I was left with scarring and my left wrist was worse than my right. For at least a year after the surgery, it was painful to wear a Fitbit or any type of watch that buckled on the back or was stretchy and squeezed my wrist or forearm. After that time, I tried a Fitbit Charge and it was fine. It wore out and I used a Fitbit Alta which has a buckle. That was a killer as the buckle dug into the area near the scar. I've been wearing Apple Watch Series 4 gold aluminum with the pink sand sport band with no pain whatsoever. Although I do have times where I just take it off during the day since I still have trigger finger and a nerve being compressed in my cervical spine. I'm going to say that the Apple Watch is not causing the problem, but is the symptom of the problem. The sooner you get it taken care of the better off you'll feel.

I figured it out myself. All the pain went away when I put the watch in Airplane mode. I only use Bluetooth when i need to link my phone and watch when I exercise. Thank you for you thoughtful response unlike some of the people. I love my watch and it is all good.

I have posted here a few months back when my wrist was painfully sore repeatedly. Heres the results.

1. I found my wrist in pain with 0 strength after wearing my watch 24/7 for several months. I stopped wearing watch for a week and it got better.
2. I wore it again for 24/7 and the pain returned within a week.
3. I stopped the heart rate monitor and stopped wearing the watch to bed. I only wear during the day. Pain did not return.
4. After a few weeks I turned on the heart rate monitor again. I wear it only when I am awake and remove when I sleep. Pain has not returned.

So my conclusion is that the pain comes from wearing the watch 24/7. I think when you're sleeping you tend to put more pressure on your watch head area. However I miss being able to use the watch vibration alarm to wake me in the morning. Maybe Ill try turning the watch head to the bottom of my wrist?

Kip

I have this issue bad as well radiates up my arm and the side of my hand near my knuckles and pinky finger hurt but once I take it off a little while later suddenly everything is fine seems like Apple is dodging this issue for years judging by all the forums

But I want to add that there is definitely something in the apple watch thats causing this pain.

It almost feel like an arthritis pain, causing slight numbness.

I don’t even have to tighten the strap, I just hold it on my wrist and the pain is there immediately.

And when I take it off after a while the pain is gone.

I tried it repeatedly, did the same.

As I wanted this watch so badly I withstood the pain and its getting less with time, but the strong pain comes back but this time for short periods.

I hope it goes away.

There are normal variations in human anatomy. Some people seem sensitive to the convex back of the watch. A doctor who posted here a year or so ago said that, in some people, the watch could press against a particular nerve and cause pain. I believe he suggested moving it slightly up the wrist, away from the hand. Or trying the other wrist. He also recommended seeing a doctor.

What you describe are symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or a repetitive stress injury. See a neurologist. It may be indirectly related to wearing the watch - you raise your arm frequently to look at the watch, which is a motion you probably haven't used in the past, or at least not with the same frequency. The watch may also be pressing on the nerves or tendons in your wrist; try wearing it higher. But the important thing is to see a doctor.

Just put it in Airplane mode and on turn on Bluetooth when you want the phone to link. All my pain went away which radiated up and down the arm......... It’s gone no problem.

I have posted on this before and will repeat because I have fixed my issue very easily.

I put the pad of a band aid over the sensor so the full "rays" of the sensor don't go through my wrist.

I also recently put a piece of blue pain free skin tape on and still the same result, NO PAIN!

I change it out every week as a bandaid can collect water, germs, etc. Give it a shot, if it doesn't fix the issue then you should probably just stop wearing it :/

Hey Lili,

When I was reading your Comments on the wrist pain as if you are talking about my case, when I bought the Iwatch series 3 42MM in October I started having a severe pain in my wrist, going to my arms and even my Thumb, I thougth something related to my nerve system, i went to get a diagnostic from a physitherapist and been told It seems I have a neck problem which affecting my hand, despite that I don't have neck pain, so I doubted that the Iwatch is creating this pain.

i removed it from my right hand and put it on left hand I am doing this since 2 to 3 weeks and since 2 days I start having the same pain on the left hand. I am still doubting but I will remove the watch for 1 month at least then will come back and will write my comments on this.

My right hand is better 90% no pain.

Thank you for sharing this and will keep in touch for sure.

Sam

That is a really good description of a pinched nerve, did you try loosening the band? If that doesn't help see your doctor immediately as you may have the start of carpal tunnel syndrome and catching it early is very helpful in recovery. And yes, lots of people have issues with nerves in their wrist from watches/jewelry and carpal tunnel syndrome. Good luck to you.

It could be the materials in your watch case or the watch band that you are allergic (or just sensitive to). Everyone experiencing problems should see a doctor or a medical professional that can do allergy skin testing.

It is possible there is a machanical issue with the watch band vs your wrist.

It is possible you have an existing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) on that wrist, and the Apple Watch is aggravating it. Note, you could have RSI just on the border of going full out painful, and the Apple Watch was the last straw that tripped it over the edge.

In all these cases if you want to continue wearing an Apple Watch you need to consult a medical professional. You may want to consult with a medical professional even if you decide to not wear the Apple Watch, as it is possible you are an condition you need to be aware of for the future.

First I want to stress instead of posting here, you need to make an appointment with a neurologist for nerve studies and and EMG test.

No, I don't. I don't have any wrist problems. However, I do agree that your advice is excellent for anyone who is.

It's from the EMF coming from the watch. People can say it's not the cause all they want but that's the reason your wrist is sore. You're sensitive to EMF. I have the same problem.

You most likely have undiagnosed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. <https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/carpal-tunnel/carpal-tunnel-syndrome#1>

You should be seeing a doctor. And until you have it properly diagnosed, you should not wear or do any hand activities that will aggravate it.

There are people that have had to give up very well paying jobs because of Carpal Tunnel.

I get what you're saying but I don't have carpal tunnel. The only time I've experienced wrist pain was when I wore a FitBit/device that emitted EMF. As soon as I took the device off the pain stopped and I haven't felt it ever since then and I never felt it before I owned the device. For me, it's the EMF, it's not carpal tunnel.

If you have not visited a doctor yet, you really should. Because if you are border line Carpal Tunnel, you may find at a future date you have done sufficient damage to your nerves that you lose the full use of your hand. I am speaking as someone that has to wear a wrist brace 5 days a week all day at work. You do not want to have Carpal Tunnel advances to the point of daily pain when you do anything with your hand.

If, after you visit your doctor and the specialists recommended, you do not have Carpel Tunnel, then at least you know for sure, and are not just basing this is a single situation.

corynne0686 wrote:

I've been to my GP, they think I have carpal tunnel.

"Think" is a good start. However, there is a fairly simple test that can confirm (or refute) a diagnosis of RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury - the general class that Carpal Tunnel belongs to). It's called an EMG, and it measures nerve conductivity in your arms and wrists. If your GP has not referred you to a neurologist for further diagnosis you should request one.