What Is Wrist Pain?

Wrist pain is any pain, discomfort or ache in the wrist joint. It is often a result of injuries like sprains or strains or conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis or gout. Depending on the cause of wrist pain, your doctor will determine the correct treatment path, which will likely include rest, ice and physical therapy. Extreme causes of wrist pain may require injections or surgery.

Causes of Wrist Pain

A common cause of wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is an area in your wrist created by wrist bones and contains the median nerve and tendons. You may feel aching, burning, numbness or tingling in your palm, wrist, thumb or fingers. The thumb muscle can become weak, making it difficult to grasp things. Pain may go up to your elbow.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve gets compressed at the wrist because of swelling of structures in the carpal tunnel or narrowing due to the bones of the carpal tunnel. This nerve in the wrist allows feeling and movement to parts of the hand. Swelling can occur if you:

  • Do repetitive movements with your wrist, such as typing on a computer keyboard, using a computer mouse, playing racquetball or handball, sewing, painting, writing or using a vibrating tool
  • Are pregnant, menopausal or overweight
  • Have diabetes, premenstrual syndrome, an underactive thyroid or rheumatoid arthritis

Wrist pain with bruising and swelling is often a sign of injury. Signs of a possible broken bone include deformed joints and an inability to move the wrist, hand or finger. Cartilage injuries can also occur in the wrist. Other common injuries include sprain, strain, tendonitis and bursitis.

Arthritis is another common cause of wrist pain, swelling and stiffness. Types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and infectious arthritis (a medical emergency). Signs of an infection include redness and warmth of the wrist, high fever and recent illness.

Another condition that can cause wrist pain is gout. Gout occurs when your body produces too much uric acid, a waste product. The uric acid forms crystals in the joints rather than being excreted in the urine. Similarly, pseudogout occurs when calcium pyrophosphate crystals collect in the joints, causing pain, redness and swelling.

Risk Factors for Wrist Pain

Vocations, hobbies and activities that require repetitive motion and overuse are the leading cause of wrist pain. Any activity that requires bending, twisting or gripping the hand and wrist can lead to inflammation and irritation.

Vocations that require excessive typing or manual labor using the hands increase the risk of wrist injury or pain. Additionally, playing musical instruments and certain sports that involve constant wrist movements or awkward positions increase stress on the wrist and, therefore, increase the risk of pain or injury.

Screening for & Preventing Wrist Pain

Many forms of wrist pain result from other health conditions or injuries. In addition to taking regular breaks in activities and resting, the following steps can reduce risk or help to manage symptoms: 

  • Using devices, furniture and tools designed to reduce strain on the hand and wrist muscles and joints 
  • Regular and specific hand-strengthening exercises and stretches
  • Adjusting your monitor and chair height to support proper posture
  • Giving your hands plenty of rest from overuse

Signs & Symptoms of Wrist Pain

Symptoms of wrist pain vary depending on the cause. Most people experiencing wrist pain have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Bruising or discoloration, typically as a result of injury
  • Clicking or popping sounds when moving the wrist
  • Difficulty gripping objects
  • Numbness
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling of the joint
  • Tenderness 
  • Tingling sensation in the wrist, hand and fingers
  • Warm sensation surrounding the wrist joint
  • Weakness when trying to hold objects or open containers

Diagnosing Wrist Pain

If you are experiencing wrist pain, an office visit with your provider is recommended to determine the source. Your physician will conduct a thorough physical exam and ask a series of questions about your symptoms, including when the pain began, whether you have an injury or illness and what type of hobbies, activities or work you do. In some cases, X-rays or other imaging tests may be taken to determine if there is an injury. Additionally, fluid may be taken from the joint to test for an underlying condition like infection, gout or pseudogout.

Treating Wrist Pain

Your doctor will design an individualized treatment approach for you depending on the source of the wrist pain and the severity of symptoms. The most common forms of treatment include: 

  • Medications, such as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen
  • Prescription or over-the-counter creams that bring pain relief
  • Corticosteroid injections that can reduce inflammation and pain
  • Physical and/or occupational therapy that includes hand exercises as well as splints or braces
  • In severe cases, surgery for joint replacement or for tendon or ligament repair
  • Warm compresses or ice applied throughout the day
  • Occupational support, including typing pads, split keyboards, mouse pads and a splint 

Living with Wrist Pain

If your wrist pain is due to an injury, rest the joint and keep it elevated above heart level to reduce swelling. Apply ice regularly and take over-the-counter pain medicines to manage the symptoms. For wrist pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, working with a physical or occupational therapist will help you develop new routines that will relieve the hand joints. For pain that is a symptom of an underlying condition, work with your doctor to determine the best course of care, whether at-home care, surgery or another treatment plan.