What causes wrist pain?

A fall onto the hand may cause a Wrist Sprain or a fracture. Pain near the thumb after a fall deserves assessment for Scaphoid Fracture, even when swelling is limited. Pain on the little-finger side can occur with a TFCC Tear, especially after twisting or loading the wrist. De Quervain's Tenosynovitis causes pain near the thumb side with gripping or thumb movement. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome may cause aching with tingling or numbness in the hand. A Ganglion Cyst can appear as a lump and may hurt with pressure or movement.

The exact location, onset, swelling, clicking, numbness, and ability to move the wrist help distinguish these possibilities. A diagnosis cannot be made from the symptom alone.

For a mild overuse episode, pause the provoking task, keep the wrist in a comfortable position, and use gentle motion within comfort. Avoid forceful stretching, heavy gripping, and repeated twisting while pain is active. After an injury, support the wrist and arrange assessment rather than testing it repeatedly. A clinician may recommend a splint, exercises, hand therapy, or imaging based on the examination.

Seek urgent care after a fall or impact if the wrist is visibly misshapen, rapidly swelling, very painful, or difficult to move. Immediate help is needed for a hand that is cold, pale, blue, or numb, or for an open wound or uncontrolled bleeding. Arrange review for persistent pain, increasing numbness, repeated clicking, or a growing lump.

Does the pain location suggest a bone, ligament, tendon, nerve, or joint problem? Do I need an X-ray or other imaging? What support and movements are safe? When should I return if numbness, swelling, or weakness changes?