Orthopedics Hand & Wrist Home Office Ergonomics Guide Home Office Ergonomics Guide Overview Your Back Back Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Neck Neck Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Eyes Eye Strain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Shoulders Shoulder Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Wrists Wrist Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hands Hand Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hips Hip Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Knees Knee Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Causes and Treatment of Wrist Pain Everything you need to known about wrist pain By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT LinkedIn Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in hospital-based acute care and outpatient therapy with both children and adults. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Differential Diagnoses Treatment Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Next in Home Office Ergonomics Guide How to Strengthen Your Wrists Wrist pain has a lot of possible causes. The most common are wrist sprain and tendonitis. The type of pain varies by cause. It may feel sharp, dull, like pins and needles, or just tightness. Wrist anatomy is complex. So finding the "why" behind your wrist pain can be tricky. A proper diagnosis is important for choosing the right treatment. This article looks at common symptoms of wrist pain, possible causes, how it's diagnosed, and how to treat and prevent wrist pain. Verywell / Alexandra Gordon Symptoms Minor wrist pain might go away with at-home treatments. But you should see a healthcare provider if it's more serious. Get medical help if you have: An inability to carry objects or use the armA deformed jointPain at night or while restingPain that lasts more than a few daysInability to straighten or flex the jointSwelling or significant bruising around the joint or forearmSigns of an infection (fever, redness, warmth)Numbness or tingling of the hands and/or wrists If you have other symptoms that concern you, see your healthcare provider. When It's an Emergency Get emergency care if you can't move your wrist and you have:Extreme painDeformityNumbnessA hand or fingers that are bluishGo right away. Don't wait overnight. 1:40 Click Play to Learn How to Ease Wrist Pain This video has been medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD. Causes The main causes of wrist pain are misuse and overuse. But a lot of other things can lead to wrist pain, as well. Wrist Sprain A sprain is a ligament injury. Ligaments are tough connective tissues. They control joint movement. The ligaments around the wrist joint help stabilize your hand position. They also allow you to make controlled motions. A sprain happens when the wrist ligaments are stretched past their limits. A common cause is falling onto your hand. Sprain symptoms include: Pain with movement Swelling around the joint Bruising or discoloration Burning or tingling sensations called paresthesia Wrist Tendonitis Tendons are strong bands of tissue that cross over the wrist. They connect the muscles in the forearms to the hand and finger bones. Flexor tendons on the palm side of your hand allow your fingers to grasp and grip objects. Extensor tendons on the top side of your hand help your fingers straighten and release objects. Wrist tendonitis occurs when one or more of these tendons become inflamed. It causes: Dull, aching painMorning stiffnessSometimes, mild swelling or warmth Some people report crepitus (popping) when moving their wrist. The most common causes of wrist tendonitis are: Repetitive wrist motions (typing, working with machinery)Sports that place repetitive stress on the wrist (golf, tennis) Tendons and Tendonitis Wrist Tenosynovitis Tenosynovitis is similar to tendonitis. Your tendons are encased by a sheath. That's a fluid-filled covering that they glide through. When it's damaged and swells up, it's called tenosynovitis. It causes the same symptoms as tendonitis. A specific type of tenosynovitis is called de Quervain's tenosynovitis. It causes wrist pain on the thumb side that may move into the arm. De Quervain's is most common in women between 30 and 50. Often, it's caused by a repetitive motion such as lifting a child. Recap A wrist sprain involves ligaments, which control joint movements, being stretched beyond their limits. Wrist tendonitis involves tendon inflammation. Wrist tenosynovitis is similar but involves swelling in the tendon sheath. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome comes from overuse of the wrist, especially from repetitive motions. That leads to inflammation and scar tissue. They can compress (pinch) a nerve that runs through the wrist joint. It's called the median nerve. This condition causes pain that tends to be worse at night plus numbness in tingling in the: PalmsThumbIndex fingerMiddle finger Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common workplace injury. Wrist Fracture A wrist fracture is a common injury. It's more likely in people with weak bones, such as that from osteoporosis. A common type of wrist fracture is a scaphoid fracture. Your scaphoid bone is on the thumb side of your wrist. It's often broken when you fall and catch yourself on an outstretched hand. A scaphoid fracture causes swelling, pain, and tenderness below the base of the thumb. The pain may get worse when you try to pinch or grasp something. Arthritis A few different types of arthritis may affect the wrist. They include: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Inflammatory arthritis that causes joint damage and deterioration. Gout: Sharp crystals form in the joint fluid. Less often, osteoarthritis: "Wear and tear" arthritis associated with age or injury. Septic bacterial arthritis of the wrist is possible but rare. It occurs when the wrist joint is infected. Recap Carpal tunnel syndrome is an overuse injury involving a pinched nerve. Wrist fractures are common and often involve the scaphoid bone. Some types of arthritis can also cause wrist pain. Less Common Causes Several other conditions can cause wrist pain. They include: Ganglion cysts: Benign (harmless) fluid-filled capsules that cause swelling and/or wrist pain. They're usually in the back of the hand or wrist. Cubital tunnel syndrome (ulnar neuropathy): Results when your "funny bone nerve" (ulnar nerve) is compressed. It causes numbness and tingling in your ring and pinky fingers. Carpal boss: A firm, immovable bump on the back of the hand or wrist. It's created by a small area of osteoarthritis at the junction of the long hand bones and small wrist bones. Diagnosis The wrist is small but intricate. It's made up of several bones, muscles, and other tissues. To diagnose wrist pain, your healthcare provider may use: A comprehensive medical history Physical examination Imaging tests such as X-rays If that doesn't yield a diagnosis, they may move on to other tests. Medical History You'll be asked several questions about your wrist pain. For instance: Did it come on suddenly or gradually? Did you fall or have some other kind of trauma? When is the pain worst? This information and more can help them narrow down the possible causes. Physical Examination During a physical exam, your provider will look: BruisingSwellingSkin changesMuscle wasting They'll feel around to check for tenderness or deformities. They'll also move your wrist to evaluate its range of motion. They may do a quick neurological exam on your hand, wrist, and arm. This is to look for sensory problems (tingling, numbness) or muscle weakness. Imaging Tests Imaging is common with wrist pain. The first test is typically an X-ray. It can show fractures and arthritis. If more is needed for a diagnosis, you may be sent for a computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They can spot fractures missed by an X-ray. That's common with scaphoid fractures. Special Tests and Procedures Other tests and procedures depend on what your healthcare provider suspects. Special tests may help with the diagnosis. CONDITION TEST PROCEDURE POSITIVE RESULT Carpal tunnel syndrome Tinel test Tap on median nerve in wrist Zinging, "pins & needles" feeling de Quervain's tenosynovitis Finkelstein test Grip thumb, tilt hand toward little finger Pain along the thumb Gout of the wrist Joint aspiration Withdraw joint fluid Crystals, moderately high white blood cell count Septic arthritis Joint aspiration Withdraw joint fluid Extremely high white blood cell count Recap Diagnosing wrist pain can be hard. It usually involves your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging. Your provider may use other tests as well. Differential Diagnoses Many things can cause wrist pain. Your healthcare provider may order tests to rule out some possible causes. These will likely be based on the nature of your symptoms. Some possible diagnoses are localized (just in the wrist). Others may be systemic (whole-body) illnesses. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually leads to a positive anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ant-CCP) test. It also causes other symptoms such as: Unusual fatigueUnexpected weight lossPain in other joints RA tends to affect joints symmetrically. That's uncommon for a wrist sprain or tendonitis. Thyroid Disease or Diabetes Mellitus Thyroid disease and diabetes can alter your tendon structure. That may cause or contribute to wrist pain. Your provider may order blood tests to rule out these causes. They may include: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to screen for thyroid disease Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) to screen for diabetes Cervical Radiculopathy Wrist pain can come from a pinched nerve root in your neck. This is called cervical radiculopathy. The pinching may be due to: Cervical stenosis (narrowed spinal canal in your neck)A herniated disc in the neckOsteoarthritis in the neck A compressed nerve root causes dull pain and tingling and/or numbness in your palm and first three fingers. Expect a thorough neurological exam. Then you may be sent for an electromyogrpahy (EMG) and/or a neck MRI. Soft Tissue Tumors A ganglion cyst is the most common cause of a "rubbery" bump on the wrist. But other soft tissues masses can cause wrist pain, too. They include: Tenosynovial giant cell tumor: Benign (harmless) tumors in the hands, arms, or legs. Epidermoid cyst: Common skin growths that cause a round bump. Lipoma: Benign tumors made of fatty tissues. Tophus: Hardened deposits of gout crystals in the joint. Rheumatoid nodule: Firm, painless lumps associated with RA. Synovial sarcoma: A type of soft-tissue cancer. Any of these may be diagnosed with transillumination (seeing if light can pass through it), ultrasound, or MRI. If the diagnosis is still inconclusive, your provider may do a surgical biopsy. That means removing tissue for examination in the lab. Recap To rule out possible diagnoses, your provider may test you for rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease, diabetes, and several other conditions. This may include bloodwork, imaging, and, less often, a biopsy. Treatment Wrist-pain treatments depend on the cause. That makes a proper diagnosis crucial. Self-Care Strategies Self-care strategies may soothe your wrist pain. They're especially useful for sprains or tendonitis. Rest: Stop using the joint to let the inflammation go down. Don't rest for long, though. That can lead to stiffness and slow your recovery.Ice: Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first two days. Don't use it for longer than 20 minutes or you may damage tissues.Compression: Wrap your wrist with an elastic bandage. Start at the base of the fingers and go up to just below the elbow. Overlap the wrap by half of its width every time around. Make it snug without cutting off circulation. If your fingers tingle, loosen it.Immobilization: Support braces or splints may help with an injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, or wrist arthritis. A fracture may require a cast. Medications Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs) and injections of cortisone (a corticosteroid) are commonly used for wrist pain from:SprainTendonitisArthritis NSAIDs aren't generally used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Some people with wrist arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome may benefit from cortisone injections. Surgery Some wrist conditions require surgery. These include: Certain types of fracturesGanglion cysts (if removal is needed) Decompression of the median or ulnar nerves in the wrist If you need surgery, your healthcare provider can help you find a hand surgeon. That's an orthopedic or plastic surgeon with special expertise in the hand, wrist, and forearm. Recap Wrist treatment depends on the cause. It may involve self-care strategies like rest and ice, splints or casts, anti-inflammatory medications, or surgery. Prevention Some activities put your wrists at risk of getting hurt. A little protection can prevent a lot of injuries. Avoid wrist sprains by wearing wrist splints or guards during sports like: RollerbladingStreet hockeySnowboardingGymnastics If you ski, use a pole with a low-profile grip. Don't attach them to your wrists with tight straps. Some jobs or hobbies involve a lot of repetitive motions. That puts you at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Help prevent it by: Taking regular breaksUsing ergonomic devices like a wrist rest or mouse padHaving an ergonomic workspaceStretching your arms frequently After Wrist Injury If you don't regain full strength and mobility after a wrist injury, you're more likely to hurt it again. Be sure you're fully recovered before going back to sports, work, or other situations where you could re-injure your wrist. Hand physical therapy can help you strengthen your wrist joint after an injury. Summary Wrist pain can come from injuries like sprains, tendonitis, and fracture. It can also come from conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Diagnosing wrist pain may involve a physical exam, bloodwork, imaging, and special tests based on your provider's suspicions. Treatment may include rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, splints or casts, and surgery. Prevent injuries with wrist splints or guards when playing sports or working. Proper ergonomics are also important. A Word From Verywell You may not realize how important your wrists are until you hurt one. A wrist injury can make it hard to use electronics, drive a car, or hold a pencil. If you have wrist pain, talk to your healthcare provider about it. You're better off getting the right diagnosis and treatment now, before things get worse. How to Strengthen Your Wrists Frequently Asked Questions What causes pain in my outer wrist when I twist my hand? Arthritis, nerve injuries, and wrist fractures are common causes of that kind of pain. It could also come from structural bone problems, cartilage or ligament injury, and small fluid-filled cysts. Why does my wrist hurt when exercising or lifting something heavy? You may be using the wrong hand position. When lifting, keep your hand and arm in a straight line. Don't overextend your wrists.Use padding under your hands for weight-bearing exercises like push-ups. use Athletic tape or wrist straps can provide extra support. How can I tell if my wrist is sprained? Pain is the main symptom of a sprain. It may hurt even when you're not using it. Other symptoms are:SwellingBruisingWarmthPain when you touch the wristA sensation that something is popping or tearing in the wrist Learn More: Strain vs. Sprain: What's the Difference? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 17 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bass E. Tendinopathy: why the difference between tendinitis and tendinosis matters. 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Foot Ankle Clin. 2002;7(3):501-513. doi:10.1016/s1083-7515(02)00056-6 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Ulnar wrist pain. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Advice from a certified hand therapist: Exercising with(out) wrist pain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. Wrist sprains. Additional Reading Adams JE, Habbu R. Tendinopathies of the hand and wrist [published correction appears in J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2016 Feb;24(2):123]. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-750. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-14-00216 Dale AM, Harris-Adamson D, Rempel D, e al. Prevalence and incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in US working populations: pooled analysis of six prospective studies. Scand J Work, Environ Health. 2013;39(5):495-505. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3351 Goldfarb CA, Puri SK, Carlson MG. Diagnosis, treatment, and return to play for four common sports injuries of the hand and wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2016 Dec;24(12):853-862. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00388 Shehab R, Mirabelli MH. Evaluation and diagnosis of wrist pain: A case-based approach. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Apr 15;87(8):568-73. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies