WRIST PAIN: COMMON CAUSES

Wrist pain can affect routine activities of day to day living. Many structures present in and around the wrist joint can cause pain. Swelling may be present. Movements may be painful. Different causes are described below.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve passing underneath the transverse ligament of the wrist becomes compressed. This compression can result from many different conditions. Pain and numbness in the hand are the main symptoms. Learn more about this condition in the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome page.

Sometimes a small painful swelling develops over the wrist, usually in women. It feels hard like bone and there may be mild pain. This is a Ganglion. Causes, diagnosis and treatment options can be seen in the Ganglion page.

De Quervain's disease is a condition that results from swelling in the tendon sheath (sleeve like structure that lubricates the passage of tendons near bones) of the thumb tendons. Pain is the main symptom. Females are more commonly affected. Know more about it at the page on De Quervain's Disease.

The lower part of radius bone forms the wrist joint by articulation with carpal bones. This part of the radius is a common site of osteoporosis. Hence it is easily fractured. More on this fracture including treatment and complications in the Wrist Fracture page.

Among the carpal bones the scaphoid is the most common to fracture. Many times this fracture is written off as a wrist sprain. Difficulty to see the fracture on x rays also contributes to the wrong diagnosis. Learn more about this fracture including diagnosis, treatment and complications at the page on Scaphoid Fracture.

Disturbance in the growth center of the lower end of radius can result in a deformed wrist in children. This condition is called Madelung Deformity.
Learn about this condition in greater detail at the Madelung Deformity page.

Before you read further first see the Wrist Anatomy page. Knowing the relevant anatomy will help you to get a better understanding about the conditions mentioned above and below.

Causes of wrist pain...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Ganglion

De Quervain's Disease

Wrist Fracture

Scaphoid Fracture

Madelung Deformity

Wrist Anatomy

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