Wrist pain affects many people, and it may develop suddenly from an injury or appear gradually over time without a clear reason. Understanding the signs and potential causes of your discomfort is the first step toward finding relief, so you can return to your daily activities with more ease. Here is more information about wrist pain symptoms and causes:
Symptoms of Wrist Pain
Wrist pain presents in various ways depending on the underlying cause. You might feel a dull ache, or you could experience sharp, shooting pains. While some people have constant discomfort, others find the pain comes and goes with certain movements. The character of the pain provides clues to its origin.
The location of the pain also offers useful information. Some conditions cause pain on the thumb side of the wrist, while others create discomfort in the center. Swelling, stiffness, and weakness are additional symptoms that typically accompany pain, and these signs can limit your ability to perform simple tasks.
Causes of Wrist Pain
Repetitive stress is a source of wrist problems. Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome occur when the median nerve is compressed, which results from repeated hand motions. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is another condition; it affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist from overuse.
Sudden injuries are another primary cause of pain. A fall onto an outstretched hand can lead to sprains or fractures. Sprains involve stretched or torn ligaments, but fractures are actual breaks in the bone. Both injuries will cause immediate pain and swelling in the wrist area.
Certain medical conditions also lead to wrist discomfort. Arthritis, including both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause joint inflammation and pain. Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage over time, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.
Diagnostics and Imaging
To determine the cause of your wrist pain, a physical examination is performed. Your provider will check your range of motion and look for areas of tenderness. They might use specific tests to reproduce your symptoms, which helps narrow down the potential diagnoses.
If a physical exam is not enough, imaging tests may be ordered. These tests give a clearer picture of the structures inside your wrist. Standard imaging techniques include:
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Ultrasounds
These diagnostic tools help identify issues such as fractures or soft-tissue damage, enabling a precise diagnosis. The results guide the creation of an appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition. If the imaging tests do not provide sufficient clarity, your doctor may recommend more advanced diagnostic procedures, such as nerve conduction studies or arthroscopy, to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying issue and provide an accurate diagnosis.
Get Treated for Wrist Pain
Living with pain can be challenging, but effective treatments are available, and a proper diagnosis is the foundation for effective treatment. Once the cause of your discomfort is identified, a personalized care plan can be developed to address your symptoms. Schedule a consultation today with an orthopedic clinic to begin the process of getting relief from pain.
