Wrist Pain – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Wrist pain can stem from sudden injuries like sprains or fractures. It may also develop from ongoing issues such as repetitive movements, arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Finding the exact cause of wrist pain can be challenging due to the many possible factors involved. However, getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and proper healing.
Signs and Issues
People may feel different kinds of pain in their wrists based on what’s causing the problem.
Those with osteoarthritis might describe a dull ache similar to a toothache. If someone has carpal tunnel syndrome, they often feel pins and needles, especially in their thumb, index finger, and middle finger. This tingling often happens at night.
Where the pain occurs in your wrist can give important clues about what might be causing it.
When Medical Help is Needed
You don’t always need to see a doctor for wrist pain. Simple sprains and strains often get better with:
- Ice
- Rest
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
However, if pain and swelling last more than a few days or get worse, it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
Waiting too long for treatment can lead to:
- Poor healing
- Limited movement
- Long-term problems with wrist function
What Causes Wrist Pain?
Harm From Injuries
Wrist pain often starts when you fall with your hand stretched out. This can cause sprains, strains, or breaks in the bones.
A thumb-side wrist bone break (scaphoid fracture) might not show up on first X-rays.
Activities that make you move your wrist over and over can hurt the tissues around joints or crack bones. Tennis, playing string instruments, or long driving trips are examples. Taking breaks helps lower your risk.
Pain at the base of your thumb could be De Quervain tenosynovitis, which happens from doing the same movements too much.
Joint Problems
When the cushioning between bones wears away, osteoarthritis develops. This rarely affects wrists unless you’ve hurt them before.
In rheumatoid arthritis, your body’s defense system attacks its own tissues. This often affects wrists. If one wrist hurts, the other usually does too.
Other Health Issues
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when pressure increases on the median nerve in your wrist. The nerve passes through a small tunnel on the palm side.
Soft tissue lumps called ganglion cysts often form on the back of the wrist. These may hurt more or less when you use your hand.
Young adults sometimes get Kienbock disease. This problem happens when one small wrist bone doesn’t get enough blood and starts to break down over time.
Common Wrist Pain Causes
| Cause Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Injuries | Falls, sports accidents, repetitive movements |
| Arthritis | Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Other Conditions | Carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, Kienbock disease |
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your chance of experiencing wrist pain:
- Sports involvement: Contact sports like football, precision sports such as golf and bowling, and activities requiring wrist control like gymnastics, tennis, and snowboarding often lead to wrist injuries.
- Repetitive movements: Jobs or hobbies involving the same hand and wrist motions performed frequently can strain these areas over time.
- Forceful hand activities: Even everyday tasks like knitting or cutting hair can cause wrist problems when done with excessive force or for extended periods.
Health conditions that affect wrist health:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Excess weight
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
Prevention
There are several ways to reduce the risk of wrist injuries, even though accidents can’t always be predicted.
Strengthen your bones by consuming adequate calcium—1,000 to 1,200 milligrams daily for most adults. This helps prevent fractures and maintains wrist health.
Avoid falling since most wrist injuries happen when people fall onto outstretched hands.
Take these precautions:
- Wear practical, well-fitting shoes
- Remove tripping hazards from your home
- Ensure good lighting in all areas
- Install bathroom grab bars and stairway handrails if needed
Use protective equipment during sports and recreation. Wrist guards are essential for high-risk activities like football, snowboarding, and in-line skating.
Practice good ergonomics when using keyboards.
Keep your wrists in a neutral position while typing, take regular breaks, and consider using:
- An ergonomic keyboard
- Foam or gel wrist supports
