Wrist pain is a common phenomenon that may have various causes. Depending on the underlying cause, the pain sensations may differ. While some people experience a tingling, prickling, burning, or numbing sensation, others may have dull pain or soreness along with swelling in the affected area. To identify the possible cause of wrist pain, it is often beneficial to pay attention to the duration of discomfort in the wrist. If the pain diminishes over a few days, it may be harmless; however, if it lasts over a week, visiting a doctor may be helpful.
Types Of Wrist Pain
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Prashant Kamble, Consultant - Orthopaedics, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, explains that wrist pain can be categorised based on its location: radial (outer) side, ulnar (inner) side, or central wrist.
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Radial side pain can have many causes, including injuries and health conditions that affect the bones and tissue in the wrist. Some of the underlying medical conditions include:
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Thumb-base arthritis
- Scaphoid non-union
- Ligament injuries
Ulnar side pain, also characterised by pain on the pinky side of the wrist, can be caused by injuries, repetitive stress, or underlying health conditions. These include:
- TFCC (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex) injury
- ECU (Extensor Carpi Ulnaris) tenosynovitis
- Ulnar styloid fracture
Central wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from injuries. Common causes include:
- Kienböck's disease
- Dorsal wrist ganglion
- Intercarpal ligament injury
What To Do If Your Wrist Pain Lasts For Weeks
Dr Kamble encourages consulting hand surgeons if wrist pain persists for more than a week, has a sudden onset, gradually worsens, or if there is swelling after a fall.
Home remedies are often ineffective for long-lasting pain, and seeing a specialist early can help identify the underlying cause, such as an infection or early-stage arthritis, he notes.
According to him, early diagnosis can allow for minimally invasive treatment options, such as arthroscopy, which leads to quicker recovery and better outcomes. On the contrary, delaying treatment can result in more complicated interventions and compromised outcomes.
Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
A wrist pain should not be ignored if you have the following symptoms:
- Swelling, redness, or stiffness in one or both wrists
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the wrist, hand, or fingers
- Loss of muscle mass in the wrist, hand, or fingers
- Inability to move your hand, wrist, or fingers
- Discolouration or swelling in your forearms, wrists, hands, or fingers
- Hindering daily activities
- Fever
Treatment Options
Dr Kamble says that treatment of wrist pain often depends on the underlying cause. Citing some examples, he lists:
Fractures may require a cast for six weeks; displaced fractures might need surgery.
Ligament injuries in athletes often need surgical intervention.
Scaphoid non-union can be treated effectively with wrist arthroscopy, which promotes healing better than open surgery.
TFCC injuries can also be managed with arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that allows for early rehabilitation and a quicker return to pre-injury activity levels.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]