Understanding Wrist Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Wrist pain can result from various underlying causes, ranging from minor injuries to more serious medical conditions. Identifying the specific cause of wrist pain often requires a medical evaluation by a healthcare professional. Here are some common causes of wrist pain:

1. Strains and Sprains: Overuse or sudden twisting of the wrist can lead to strains or sprains of the ligaments and tendons in the wrist. This can occur from activities like lifting heavy objects, playing sports, or repetitive wrist movements.
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition arises when the median nerve, which runs through the wrist, becomes compressed. It is often caused by repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as typing or using vibrating tools.
3. Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the wrist can cause pain. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, for example, affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist and can result from overuse.
4. Fractures: A break or fracture in one of the bones in the wrist, such as the radius or ulna, can cause significant pain. This may result from a fall onto an outstretched hand or a direct impact to the wrist.
5. Arthritis: Various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, can affect the wrist joint, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
6. Ganglion Cysts: These fluid-filled cysts can develop near the wrist joint or on the back of the hand, causing discomfort and pain.
7. Repetitive Stress Injuries: Conditions like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow can also lead to wrist pain when the strain extends to the wrist.
8. Nerve Compression: Besides carpal tunnel syndrome, other nerves in the wrist can become compressed, causing pain. Ulnar nerve entrapment, for instance, affects the ulnar nerve.
9. Infections and Inflammatory Conditions: Wrist pain can be a symptom of infections, such as cellulitis, or inflammatory conditions like gout.
10. Ligament Injuries: Injuries to the wrist ligaments, such as a scapholunate ligament tear, can result from trauma and lead to pain and instability.
11. Golfer’s Wrist or Tennis Wrist: These conditions are specific to athletes who repeatedly stress their wrists in activities like golf or tennis.
12. Systemic Conditions: Certain systemic conditions like lupus or diabetes can manifest with wrist pain as a symptom.