In short
Wrist pain usually comes from an injury such as a sprain or fracture, from an overloaded tendon, from a trapped nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome, or from arthritis. Where it hurts and whether you have tingling or numbness point to the cause. Most strains settle within a couple of weeks with rest, ice and a gradual return. Pain after a fall onto an outstretched hand needs an X-ray, because some wrist fractures are easy to miss.
On this page
How common is wrist pain?
Wrist pain is a common complaint and can make everyday tasks hard.1 In a review of 32 studies, about 6 per cent of the general population had wrist pain in any given week. In people with physically demanding jobs and in sportspeople, the figure was 10 per cent in a week and 24 per cent over a year.2
The pain may be sharp, achy or dull. It can come with swelling, stiffness, a weak grip, numbness or pins and needles.1
Causes of wrist pain
| What it feels like | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain and swelling after a fall or twist | A sprain or a fracture1 |
| Tingling or numbness in the thumb and fingers, often at night | Carpal tunnel syndrome1 |
| Pain at the base of the thumb, worse with gripping or lifting | De Quervain's tenosynovitis, or osteoarthritis of the thumb joint1 |
| Pain on the back of the wrist with repeated use | An overloaded tendon. See extensor tendonitis3 |
| A smooth lump near the joint | A ganglion cyst4 |
| A hot, red, swollen wrist | An infection, or a type of arthritis such as gout1 |
Jobs and hobbies that involve physical strain or repeated wrist movements raise the risk.1 Research links wrist pain to high physical strain at work, and also to high psychological strain.2
Pain that keeps coming back?
Talk it through with an Australian doctor online. No referral needed.
Sprains and fractures
Falls and accidents are the usual cause of wrist sprains and fractures. A sprained wrist usually improves in around two weeks.1
The injury to watch for is a break in the scaphoid, a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist. These fractures do not always show on the first X-ray. If one is suspected, the wrist is usually put in a splint or cast and checked again, or a further scan is arranged. MRI is at least as sensitive as the older bone scan and can be done within a few days of the injury.5
It matters because a wrist fracture that does not heal properly can lead to long-term pain.1
Ganglion cysts
A ganglion cyst is a smooth, fluid-filled lump under the skin near a joint or tendon. The wrist is the most common place for one. They are more common in women and usually appear in young and middle-aged adults. The cause is unknown.4
Most cause no symptoms and need no treatment. If one is painful or in the way, a doctor can draw the fluid out with a needle or remove it with surgery.4 They can come back after treatment. In the randomised trials within a review of 35 studies, surgery cut the chance of the cyst returning by 76 per cent compared with needle drainage.6
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause.1
- For a strain or sprain: rest, ice for 10 minutes every 1 to 2 hours, a compression bandage, and keeping the wrist raised.1
- Splints support the joint, especially with arthritis or de Quervain's tenosynovitis. An occupational therapist can help find the right one.1
- Physiotherapy can include exercises to restore strength and movement.1
- Casts are used for fractures.1
- Surgery may be an option when other treatments have failed, for carpal tunnel syndrome, or for a fracture that did not heal properly.1
If your work is the trigger
Changing how a task is set up can prevent the pain returning. That means adapting the job, the equipment and your posture, and cutting down on frequent turning, twisting and bending of the wrist.1
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have wrist pain with other symptoms that came on suddenly, or pain that keeps going.1 Go sooner if it is stopping you doing normal tasks. Go to an emergency department if:1
- The pain is severe
- You had a sudden, forceful injury to the wrist
- You heard a snap, grinding or pop
- The wrist looks pale or out of shape
- You have suddenly lost strength in the wrist
See also trigger finger, arthritis in the hands and elbow pain.
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- healthdirect. Wrist pain.
- Ferguson R, Riley ND, Wijendra A, et al. Wrist pain: a systematic review of prevalence and risk factors- what is the role of occupation and activity?. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019;20(1):542.
- Adams JE, Habbu R. Tendinopathies of the Hand and Wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2015;23(12):741-50.
- healthdirect. Ganglion cyst.
- Brooks S, Wluka AE, Stuckey S, et al. The management of scaphoid fractures. J Sci Med Sport. 2005;8(2):181-9.
- Head L, Gencarelli JR, Allen M, et al. Wrist ganglion treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2015;40(3):546-53.e8.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.