I often suffer from wrist pain. I do many things to avoid it, but sometimes it flares up. My problem is that I can't do pushups when it happens because of the severe pain from bending my wrist at the typical angle.

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Originally posted by quantumfluff:
I'm hoping Mephisto can answer this.

I often suffer from wrist pain. I do many things to avoid it, but sometimes it flares up. My problem is that I can't do pushups when it happens because of the severe pain from bending my wrist at the typical angle.

Does anyone have any suggestions for different arm positions or alternate excersises that do not put so much pressure on the wrist?

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So, here's how I do pushups: close my fists and do pushups knuckles-down instead of palm-down. Keeps the wrist straight, so it doesn't hurt when I put my weight on it.

Since the Air Force is now requiring pushups as part of its physical fitness test, and the rules specifically state "palms down", I've consulted the physical therapy people for suggestions, and here's their suggetion: Do some "pushups", standing vertically, pushing against a wall. This shouldn't cause too much pain. Gradually, over time (days, weeks), lean forward, over time increasing the angle from vertical, thereby increasing the weight being placed on the wrists. Eventually, switch to a table (or stairs, since you could continue to adjust the angle over time). Combine this with hand-clenching exercises (e.g., with a tennis ball). The idea is to build up muscle in the wrist to provide extra support, until eventually "normal" pushups are possible.

The suggestion from the physical therapy people might not work for your case, since my injury is bone-related, and it sounds like yours is tendon/ligament-related ... but try the fisted pushups.

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