Wrist Injuries By Type
Acute wrist injuries include sprains, strains and fractures. Chronic or overuse wrist injuries develop gradually over time, often through overuse.
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
Read more – do I need surgery?
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
Acute Wrist Injuries
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.
Chronic wrist pain (gradual onset)
Gradual onset wrist injuries occur over a period of time. You often cannot trace it back to a single incident or cause.
Wrist tendonitis – is inflammation, or more likely degeneration, of any of the flexor or extensor tendons that cross the wrist joint. Repetitive movement and overuse causes stiffness and pain and swelling in the wrist. Sports and repetitive work are common causes of tendonitis.
Carpal tunnel syndrome – is a common cause of wrist pain. Symptoms consist of dull ache in the wrist and forearm. Pain may also radiate into the hand and fingers. It is often worse at night and you may also feel a tingling sensation.
Distal radial epiphyseal injury – 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 and caused by overuse.
Ganglion cyst – or wrist ganglion is a small lump that appears in the wrist, often attached to a ligament. The size of the cyst and the severity of the wrist pain varies from person to person. Some ganglions are not painful. Therefore you can just leave them alone. However, others hinder joint movement and cause pain.
Wrist bursitis – is inflammation of a small sack of fluid called a bursa. Bursae are located between tendon and bone, and their function is to lubricate joint movement. Repeated trauma or friction causes them to become inflamed and swollen, resulting in wrist pain
- View all Chronic wrist injuries
