Here we explain the causes of wrist pain by specific location or region. Below we outline the common terms used for identifying areas of the wrist along with the most common and less common injuries affecting that particular area, as well as important conditions often missed.
Dorsal wrist pain
This is pain at the back of the wrist and is subdivided into radial (thumb side), central and Ulnar (little finger side) zones.
Radial zone
The dorsal radial zone is the area of the wrist near the thumb over the palm side.
Most common:
- Extensor carpi radialis tenosynovitis – inflammation of the sheath surrounding the tendon.
- DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis – inflammation of the sheath that surrounds two tendons in the wrist at the base of the thumb.
- Scaphoid fracture – a fracture to the carpal bone in the wrist called the Scaphoid.
- Distal radius fracture – a fracture of the end of the radius bone in the forearm.
Less common:
- Intersection syndrome
- Anterior interosseous nerve compression/syndrome
- Radial nerve compression
- Extensor pollucis longus impingement
- Lister’s tubercle
Important not to miss:
- Carpal dislocation – dislocation of any of the small bones which make up the wrist.
- Radial epiphyseal stress reaction – an overuse injury affecting the growth plate of the radius bone. This is more likely to affect young athletes.
Central zone
The dorsal central zone is the middle area of the wrist on the inside or palm side.
Most common:
- Posterior interosseous/radial nerve entrapment
- Ganglion cyst – a ganglion cyst or wrist ganglion is a small lump that appears in the wrist and is often attached to a ligament.
- Scapholunate ligament sprain – wrist sprain affecting the ligament between the scaphoid bone and lunate bones.
Less common:
- Impingement syndromes
Important not to miss:
- Scapholunate dislocation – this is dislocation of the scaphoid bone where it connects to the lunate bone.
- Perilunar dislocation
- Kienbocks disease
Ulnar zone
The dorsal ulnar zone is the area of the wrist on the inside near the little finger.
Most common:
- Extensor carpi ulnaris tenosynovitis – inflammation of the tendon sheath.
- TFCC tear – a tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex found in the wrist.
- Ulnar styloid fracture
- Triqeutral fracture
Less common:
- Distal radioulnar joint instability
- Ulnar fracture
- Luno-triquetral ligament sprain
- Extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation
Volar wrist pain
This is pain on the inside or underside of the wrist. Volar wrist pain can also be divided into radial (thumb side), central and Ulnar (little finger side) zones.
Radial zone
Most common
- Carpo-metacarpal osteoarthritis
Less common
- Flexor carpi radialis tendinopathy
Important not to miss:
- Carpal instability
Central zone
Most common
Less common
- Pisotriquetral degenerative joint disease
Ulnar zone
Most common
Less common
- Hook of hamate fracture
- Ulnar nerve compression
- Flexor carpi ulnaris tendinopathy – wrist tendonitis/inflammation of the tendon sheath.
Read more on wrist pain
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Wrist Pain By Location
Wrist Pain
Wrist Taping
Wrist Anatomy
