What causes wrist pain?
There are many possible causes of wrist pain, including:
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the nerve that runs to your hand gets squeezed as it travels through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. In addition to wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome may cause numbness and tingling in your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.
Wrist injuries
Common wrist injuries include:
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Tendinitis
- Scaphoid fracture
- Intersection syndrome
- Kienbock’s disease
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries
You may injure your wrist due to the trauma of a sudden impact, like a fall. Or, you may develop a wrist injury over time.
Arthritis
Arthritis is joint inflammation. You can get arthritis in any joint, including the wrist. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common. This type involves wear-and-tear damage that may result from working with your hands and is most common in older adults.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another common type that usually appears earlier in life. This type is an autoimmune condition that can affect many joints but often begins in the hands and wrists.
Gout is a less-common form of arthritis that’s most common in the toes, ankles, and knees. However, gout can also affect the wrists.
What symptoms may occur with wrist pain?
Depending on the underlying cause of wrist pain, it may occur with one or more of the following symptoms.
- Swelling and redness
- Warmth near the wrist joint
- Difficulty gripping objects
- Sudden, stabbing pain in the hand
- Numbness or tingling in the hand
If you have any of these symptoms, Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists can help.
How is wrist pain diagnosed and treated?
First, your provider at Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists asks you to describe your pain and symptoms. They carefully examine your wrist and may take tests, such as an on-site X-ray, to confirm or rule out conditions like fractures or arthritis.
After they diagnose the cause of your wrist pain, your provider develops an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
- Immobilization in a cast or splint
- Physical therapy
- Activity modification
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroid injections
If your condition is serious or if your wrist pain doesn’t resolve with conservative treatments, Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists may recommend a surgical procedure, such as wrist replacement or fusion.
For expert care of wrist pain, call Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists.
