What should you know about hand, wrist and forearm pain?

Pain after a fall or direct impact may involve a sprain, fracture or bruising. Pain that builds with gripping, lifting or repetitive wrist movement can involve an irritated tendon. Tingling, numbness or weakness may point to pressure on a nerve. Pain along the inner or outer elbow can extend into the forearm and hand; see the pages on Golfer's Elbow and Tennis Elbow for related patterns.

Note where the pain starts, whether it travels, and whether swelling, reduced movement, colour change or altered sensation accompanies it. These details help a clinician distinguish a local problem from pain referred from the elbow or neck.

Reduce the movement that clearly aggravates the pain, but keep the nearby joints gently moving within comfort. A cold pack wrapped in cloth may help after a recent injury, while warmth can feel soothing for stiffness. Avoid tight gripping and prolonged wrist positions, and arrange an assessment if symptoms persist, recur or interfere with sleep, work or daily tasks.

Seek urgent assessment after a significant injury if the hand or wrist looks deformed, cannot move normally, becomes numb, turns pale or blue, or feels unusually cold. Prompt care is also needed for rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, spreading redness, fever, or new weakness. Without those warning signs, book a clinical review when pain is not settling or function is declining.

Could the location and movement pattern suggest a tendon, joint, bone or nerve problem? Do I need an examination or imaging? Which activities should I modify, and what exercises are appropriate while it heals?