Limited Wrist Extension
Elbow/Wrist - Mobility
Restricted wrist extension often limits push and grip tasks and can be associated with forearm flexor tightness or tendon irritation.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Flexor muscle tightness and tendon sensitization reduce available wrist extension and load tolerance.
Clinical Rationale
Improving mobility and load tolerance can reduce symptoms during gripping and weight-bearing tasks.
Practical Solution
Restore wrist extension mobility and build tolerance with graded loading.
Common Compensations
- Excessive elbow motion during reaching
- Forearm pronation compensation
Progression
- Mobility and soft tissue work
- Pain-free isometrics
- Eccentric/concentric loading
Regression
Red Flags
- Acute swelling
- Neurological symptoms
Differential Diagnosis
- Carpal joint restriction
- Flexor tendinopathy
Related Patterns
Related Exercises
- forearm flexor stretch
- forearm flexor smr
- forearm pronation supination arom
Related Assessments
- wrist extension rom assessment
Evidence
Level: limited
Evidence supports exercise-based interventions for lateral elbow tendinopathy; ROM improvements are typically secondary outcomes.
Sources:
- systematic review/meta-analysis: Comparison of Interventions for Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis for Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Pain Outcome. (link)
- systematic review/meta-analysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on physical interventions for lateral epicondylalgia. (link)