My recommendations

Provisional diagnosis

Muscle strain of the left wrist (Based on the patient's history of recent weight lifting and the onset of symptoms, the provisional diagnosis is a muscle strain localized to the left wrist.)

Differentials

Here are top 6 differentials to consider. Estimated probabilities are mentioned along with. Sum of probabilities can be more than 100, because probabilities are assigned to each differentials individually.

1.Tendinitis (30%)
2.Sprain (25%)
3.Repetitive strain injury (20%)
4.Ganglion cyst (10%)
5.Carpal tunnel syndrome (10%)
6.De Quervain's tenosynovitis (5%)

Suggested medications

The medication plan is aimed at managing pain and inflammation while encouraging healing of the muscle strain. The patient is advised to monitor symptoms and seek further medical evaluation if there is no improvement or if symptoms worsen.

Ibuprofen Brufen:
Ibuprofen 400 mg, oral, every 6-8 hours as needed for pain, not to exceed 3 days without medical review

Paracetamol Calpol:
Paracetamol 500 mg, oral, every 4-6 hours as needed for pain, not to exceed 3 days without medical review

Next line: If the above treatments do not show improvement within 3 days, consider medical evaluation for possible imaging studies and alternative diagnoses.

Investigations & monitoring

No immediate investigations are recommended as the symptoms are consistent with a mild muscle strain and there is no indication of a more serious condition at this time.

Decision tree

Advise

These non-pharmacological interventions are crucial for the management and recovery of a muscle strain. They should be followed diligently alongside the prescribed medications.

Rest the affected wrist and avoid activities that exacerbate the pain.

Apply ice to the wrist for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 48 hours.

Use a compression bandage to support the wrist, but ensure it is not too tight to avoid restricting blood flow.

Elevate the wrist above heart level to reduce swelling.

Perform gentle range-of-motion exercises to maintain mobility, as tolerated, without exacerbating pain.

Explanation behind my opinion

The treatment plan was formulated based on the patient's symptoms and the likelihood of a muscle strain due to recent physical activity. The plan prioritizes pain management and encourages natural healing processes.

Chosen medications are over-the-counter and commonly used for mild to moderate pain and inflammation.

The advice provided is standard for the initial management of muscle strains and aims to prevent further injury while promoting healing.

No investigations are currently necessary given the acute nature of the injury and the absence of severe symptoms or signs of a more serious condition.

References

No specific guidelines could be shown for this case as the sources are very large in number and greatly differ in terms of quality and applicability in this case.

Please note that Medicine is a complex discipline so Artificial intelligence is equally prone to committing mistakes just like a human physician. However, as a human physician can physically examine you and can get more information as needed, you should trust your doctor's judgement more than this report.

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