Wrist Pain

Dr. Nadheer K M (AIIMS)MBBS

January 17, 2019

March 06, 2020

Wrist Pain
Wrist Pain

What is wrist pain?

A pain in the wrist can be a symptom of an underlying condition or injury.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

The symptoms associated with wrist pain are:

  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Inflammation
  • Loss of grip strength
  • Clicking sound during movement
  • Skin lesions
  • Difficulty in moving the wrist joint

What are the main causes?

The causes of wrist pain include:

How is it diagnosed and treated?

A detailed medical history of the individual is useful in determining the cause of the wrist pain in about 70% of cases. A number of special tests are available to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor tries to ascertain the nature, duration and severity of the pain along with its aggravating factors before recommending therapy.  The diagnosis is made in the following manner:

  • In case of sudden onset of pain, history of trauma or work that requires repetitive movement is elicited
  • Imaging techniques may also be suggested which include:
    • CT scan
    • MRI scan
    • Ultrasonography
    • Special tests like McMurray’s test, Watson’s test, the supination lift test and the grind test may be performed by the physician to confirm the diagnosis

The treatment of wrist pain depends on the cause. The doctor may recommend the following:

  • In case of injury, resting the wrist is advised. Applying an ice pack over the swollen area and taking over-the-counter pain medications are recommended to relieve pain.
  • In case of non-infectious arthritis, regular strengthening and flexibility exercises are recommended to relieve the pain. However, any exercise in the presence of inflammation must be avoided.



References

  1. Todd A. Forman et al. A Clinical Approach to Diagnosing Wrist Pain. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Nov 1;72(9):1753-1758. American Academy of Family Physicians
  2. Ramsey Sheab et al. Evaluation and Diagnosis of Wrist Pain: A Case-Based Approach. Am Fam Physician. 2013 Apr 15;87(8):568-573. American Academy of Family Physicians.
  3. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: US National Library of Medicine; Wrist pain
  4. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: US National Library of Medicine; Wrist Injuries and Disorders
  5. Akhondi H, Panginikkod S. Wrist Arthritis. [Updated 2019 Jun 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-.
  6. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [Internet] Maryland, United States; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet.

Medicines for Wrist Pain

Medicines listed below are available for Wrist Pain. Please note that you should not take any medicines without doctor consultation. Taking any medicine without doctor's consultation can cause serious problems.