Wrist Injuries By Type

Acute wrist injuries include sprains, strains and fractures. Chronic or overuse wrist injuries develop gradually over time, often through overuse.

Acute Wrist Pain

Sudden onset injuries including wrist fractures, sprains, strains, and contusions.

Chronic Wrist Pain

Gradual onset injuries including tendonitis, bursitis and Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Reviewed by Mike Walden May 11, 2026

When to see a doctor

Red flag symptoms which indicate you may need to see a doctor or physio.

Should I see a doctor for wrist pain?

If you have any of the following red flags then you may want to seek medical attention:

Severe pain after a fall or injury
Visible deformity or significant swelling
Inability to move or use your wrist
Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand
Pain in the thumb side “snuffbox” area
Symptoms not improving after 1–2 weeks

Is my wrist injury serious?

Use our quick assessment tool to check how severe your wrist pain is and what your next steps should be

Check my wrist now

Acute Wrist Injuries

Acute wrist injuries occur suddenly, usually from trauma such as a fall, twist or direct impact. The most common causes of acute wrist pain are:

$colles fracture$

Wrist Fractures

A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones of the wrist, including the radius, ulna or carpal bones. There are several different types of wrist fractures.

Wrist Strain

A wrist strain is a tear of any tendon in the wrist. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Wrist strains may occur suddenly, or develop gradually through overuse.

Wrist Sprain

Wrist sprain is an injury to any of the ligaments which connect bone to bone in the wrist. They are common and usually caused by falling onto an outstretched arm.

TFCC Tear

TFCC tear is an injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) in the wrist. It may occur suddenly from impact or trauma, or tears develop gradually over time.

View all acute wrist injuries

Chronic Wrist Injuries

Gradual onset wrist injuries, often from overuse.

$colles fracture$

Wrist Tendonitis

Wrist tendonitis or tendinopathy is inflammation, or more likely degeneration, of any of the flexor or extensor tendons that cross the wrist joint..

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms consist of dull ache in the wrist and forearm. Pain also radiates into the hand and fingers – often worse at night.

Distal Radial Epiphyseal

A distal radial epiphysis injury is an injury to the growth plate at the wrist end of the radius bone in the forearm. It affects mostly young athletes.

Ganglion Cyst

Ganglion cyst is a small lump that appears in the wrist. The size of the cyst and the severity of the wrist pain varies. Some ganglions are not painful.

View all chronic wrist injuries