BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuWrist painPain - wrist; Pain - carpal tunnel; Injury - wrist; Arthritis - wrist; Gout - wrist; Pseudogout - wristWrist pain is any pain or discomfort in the wrist. Causes Carpal tunnel syndrome: A common cause of wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is an area in your wrist that is created by wrist bones and which 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 syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is the nerve that allows feeling a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 is the nerve in the wrist that 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 Injury: Wrist pain with bruising and swelling is often a sign of an injury. Signs of a possible broken bone include deformed joints and inability to move the wrist, hand, or a finger. There can also be cartilage injuries in the wrist. Other common injuries include sprain, strain, tendinitis, and bursitis.Broken boneIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SprainA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrainA strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and part of it tears. It is also called a pulled muscle. A strain is a painful injury. It can be c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TendinitisTendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many case...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BursitisBursitis is the swelling and irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and bones....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Arthritis:Arthritis is another common cause of wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are many types of arthritis:ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Osteoarthritis occurs with age and overuse. OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. It is due to aging and wear and tear on a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects both wrists. Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Psoriatic arthritis usually accompanies psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritisPsoriatic arthritis is a joint problem (arthritis) that often occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious arthritis is a medical emergency. Signs of an infection include redness and warmth of the wrist, fever above 100°F (37.7°C), and recent illness. Other CausesGout: This 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. GoutGout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful conditio...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pseudogout: This occurs when calcium pyrophosphate crystals deposit in the joints, causing pain, redness, and swelling. The wrists and knees are most often affected. PseudogoutCalcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) arthritis is a joint disease that can cause attacks of arthritis. Like gout, crystals form in the joints. Bu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care For carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need to make adjustments to your work habits and environment:Make sure that your keyboard is low enough that your wrists are not bending upward while you type. Take plenty of breaks from activities that aggravate the pain. When typing, stop often to rest the hands, if only for a moment. Rest your hands on their sides, not the wrists. An occupational therapist can show you ways to ease pain and swelling and stop the syndrome from coming back. Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can relieve pain and swelling. Various typing pads, split keyboards, and wrist splints (braces) are designed to relieve wrist pain. These may help symptoms. Try a few different kinds to see if any of them help. You may only need to wear a wrist splint at night while you sleep. This helps reduce the swelling. If this does not help, you may need to wear the splint during the day as well. Apply warm or cold compresses a few times during the day. For a recent injury:Rest your wrist. Keep it elevated above the heart level to reduce any swelling. Apply an ice pack to the tender and swollen area. Wrap the ice in cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Apply the ice for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day and every 3 to 4 hours after that. Take over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Follow package instructions on how much to take. DO NOT take more than the recommended amount. Ask your health care provider if it's OK to wear a splint for several days. Wrist splints can be purchased at many drugstores and medical supply stores.For non-infectious arthritis:Do flexibility and strengthening exercises every day. Work with an occupational therapist to learn the best and safest exercises for your wrist. Try the exercises after a hot bath or shower so that your wrist is warmed up and less stiff. DO NOT do exercise when your wrist is inflamed. Make sure that you also rest the joint. Both rest and exercise are important when you have arthritis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Get emergency care if:You are unable to move your wrist, hand or a finger. Your wrist, hand, or fingers are misshapen. You are bleeding significantly. Contact your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:Fever over 100°F (37.7°C) FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rash RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling and redness of your wrist and you have had a recent illness (like a virus or other infection)SwellingJoint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint or the joint itself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any of the following:Swelling, redness or stiffness in one or both wrists Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the wrist, hand, or fingers with pain NumbnessNumbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lost any muscle mass in the wrist, hand, or fingers Still have pain even after following self-care treatments for 2 weeks What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your symptoms. Questions may include when the wrist pain began, what may have caused the pain, whether you have pain elsewhere, and if you have had a recent injury or illness. You may also be asked about the type of job you have and your activities.X-rays may be taken. If your provider thinks that you have an infection, gout, or pseudogout, fluid may be removed from the joint to examine under a microscope.X-raysX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anti-inflammatory medicines may be prescribed. Injection with a steroid medicine may be done. Surgery may be needed to treat some conditions.Open ReferencesReferencesDonohue KW, Fishman FF, Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.Marinello PG, Gaston RG, Robinson EP, Lourie GM. Hand and wrist diagnosis and decision making. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 67.Zhao M, Burke DT. Median neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome). In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 36.AllVideoImagesTogCarpal tunnel syndrome - illustration Carpal tunnel syndrome is becoming more frequently recognized and may be occurring more often. It may result from repetitive motion or the use of devices like computer keyboards. It affects the median nerve, the nerve that supplies feeling and movement to the thumb and thumb-side of the hand.Carpal tunnel syndromeillustrationWrist splint - illustration A wrist splint can relieve symptoms that can occur from overuse of the hand and wrist.Wrist splintillustrationCarpal tunnel syndrome - illustration Carpal tunnel syndrome is becoming more frequently recognized and may be occurring more often. It may result from repetitive motion or the use of devices like computer keyboards. It affects the median nerve, the nerve that supplies feeling and movement to the thumb and thumb-side of the hand.Carpal tunnel syndromeillustrationWrist splint - illustration A wrist splint can relieve symptoms that can occur from overuse of the hand and wrist.Wrist splintillustrationSelf Care Wrist sprain - aftercareColles wrist fracture - aftercareRelated Information Carpal tunnel syndrome(Condition)Osteoarthritis(Condition) Review Date: 4/27/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Wrist painPain - wrist; Pain - carpal tunnel; Injury - wrist; Arthritis - wrist; Gout - wrist; Pseudogout - wristWrist pain is any pain or discomfort in the wrist. Causes Carpal tunnel syndrome: A common cause of wrist pain is carpal tunnel syndrome. The carpal tunnel is an area in your wrist that is created by wrist bones and which 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 syndromeCarpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which there is excessive pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. This is the nerve that allows feeling a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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 is the nerve in the wrist that 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 Injury: Wrist pain with bruising and swelling is often a sign of an injury. Signs of a possible broken bone include deformed joints and inability to move the wrist, hand, or a finger. There can also be cartilage injuries in the wrist. Other common injuries include sprain, strain, tendinitis, and bursitis.Broken boneIf more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SprainA sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. Ligaments are strong, flexible fibers that hold bones together. When a ligament is stretched...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StrainA strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and part of it tears. It is also called a pulled muscle. A strain is a painful injury. It can be c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TendinitisTendons are the fibrous structures that join muscles to bones. When these tendons become swollen or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. In many case...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article BursitisBursitis is the swelling and irritation of a bursa. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and bones....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Arthritis:Arthritis is another common cause of wrist pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are many types of arthritis:ArthritisArthritis is inflammation or degeneration of one or more joints. A joint is the area where 2 bones meet. There are more than 100 different types of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Osteoarthritis occurs with age and overuse. OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. It is due to aging and wear and tear on a joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects both wrists. Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Psoriatic arthritis usually accompanies psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritisPsoriatic arthritis is a joint problem (arthritis) that often occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infectious arthritis is a medical emergency. Signs of an infection include redness and warmth of the wrist, fever above 100°F (37.7°C), and recent illness. Other CausesGout: This 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. GoutGout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and causes inflammation in the joints. Acute gout is a painful conditio...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pseudogout: This occurs when calcium pyrophosphate crystals deposit in the joints, causing pain, redness, and swelling. The wrists and knees are most often affected. PseudogoutCalcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) arthritis is a joint disease that can cause attacks of arthritis. Like gout, crystals form in the joints. Bu...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Home Care For carpal tunnel syndrome, you may need to make adjustments to your work habits and environment:Make sure that your keyboard is low enough that your wrists are not bending upward while you type. Take plenty of breaks from activities that aggravate the pain. When typing, stop often to rest the hands, if only for a moment. Rest your hands on their sides, not the wrists. An occupational therapist can show you ways to ease pain and swelling and stop the syndrome from coming back. Over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can relieve pain and swelling. Various typing pads, split keyboards, and wrist splints (braces) are designed to relieve wrist pain. These may help symptoms. Try a few different kinds to see if any of them help. You may only need to wear a wrist splint at night while you sleep. This helps reduce the swelling. If this does not help, you may need to wear the splint during the day as well. Apply warm or cold compresses a few times during the day. For a recent injury:Rest your wrist. Keep it elevated above the heart level to reduce any swelling. Apply an ice pack to the tender and swollen area. Wrap the ice in cloth. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Apply the ice for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first day and every 3 to 4 hours after that. Take over-the-counter pain medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Follow package instructions on how much to take. DO NOT take more than the recommended amount. Ask your health care provider if it's OK to wear a splint for several days. Wrist splints can be purchased at many drugstores and medical supply stores.For non-infectious arthritis:Do flexibility and strengthening exercises every day. Work with an occupational therapist to learn the best and safest exercises for your wrist. Try the exercises after a hot bath or shower so that your wrist is warmed up and less stiff. DO NOT do exercise when your wrist is inflamed. Make sure that you also rest the joint. Both rest and exercise are important when you have arthritis. When to Contact a Medical Professional Get emergency care if:You are unable to move your wrist, hand or a finger. Your wrist, hand, or fingers are misshapen. You are bleeding significantly. Contact your health care provider right away if you have any of the following:Fever over 100°F (37.7°C) FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rash RashRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swelling and redness of your wrist and you have had a recent illness (like a virus or other infection)SwellingJoint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint or the joint itself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Contact your provider for an appointment if you have any of the following:Swelling, redness or stiffness in one or both wrists Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the wrist, hand, or fingers with pain NumbnessNumbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WeaknessWeakness is reduced strength in one or more muscles.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lost any muscle mass in the wrist, hand, or fingers Still have pain even after following self-care treatments for 2 weeks What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will perform a physical exam. You will be asked about your symptoms. Questions may include when the wrist pain began, what may have caused the pain, whether you have pain elsewhere, and if you have had a recent injury or illness. You may also be asked about the type of job you have and your activities.X-rays may be taken. If your provider thinks that you have an infection, gout, or pseudogout, fluid may be removed from the joint to examine under a microscope.X-raysX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anti-inflammatory medicines may be prescribed. Injection with a steroid medicine may be done. Surgery may be needed to treat some conditions.Open ReferencesReferencesDonohue KW, Fishman FF, Swigart CR. Hand and wrist pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 53.Marinello PG, Gaston RG, Robinson EP, Lourie GM. Hand and wrist diagnosis and decision making. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR. eds. DeLee, Drez, & Miller's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 67.Zhao M, Burke DT. Median neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome). In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 36.