6 causes of wrist pain — and how to treat it

Your wrist is a small but mighty part of your body. It is made up of eight bones as well as tendons, ligaments and tissue that help you do a lot, including eating, driving, writing and even waving hello.

Unfortunately, the wrist can be damaged, leading to a common symptom of wrist pain.

Wrist pain can range from mild to severe. Sometimes, it will go away on its own, but other times, treatment is key to finding relief and preventing further issues. Here are six causes of wrist pain and what to do about it.

1. Your job or hobby

If you’re in a profession that requires frequent use of your hands and wrists, you might end up with wrist pain.

"For instance, athletes get a lot of use out of their wrists. In particular, sports like bowling, tennis, gymnastics and football can all put repetitive strain on the wrist," says Philip M. Petrucelli, MD, an orthopaedic hand surgeon at Main Line Health. Professionals like hairdressers, long-distance truck drivers, musicians and anyone who uses a computer are also at risk of wrist pain.

Hobbies — especially if done frequently — might also be the culprit of wrist pain. Activities like knitting and gardening can put a strain on the wrist over time.

2. Your daily activities

Even if you don’t have a profession or hobby that lends itself to wrist pain, your daily routine might be the cause.

"A good example of this is a condition often referred to as ‘Mommy’s wrist’ or ‘Mommy’s thumb,’ which is a type of tendonitis that impacts caregivers of young children due to the way many people pick up their babies. Over time, it can lead to pain on the thumb side of the wrist and tiny tears in the tendon," says Dr. Petrucelli.

Other activities that aren’t related to caregiving that can lead to wrist pain include typing, writing and chopping food.

3. Health conditions, like pregnancy, diabetes and obesity

Certain health conditions can lead to wrist pain that builds up over time. Take pregnancy, for example. During the third trimester, hormone changes, weight gain and increased fluid retention all put you at risk for wrist pain.

Other health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, gout and rheumatoid arthritis, increase your chances of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when you experience numbness and tingling in your fingers due to pressure on your median nerve at the level of the wrist It can also cause hand weakness and pain at night. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be caused by repetitive finger use, wrist injuries and older age.

4. Sudden impact injuries

If you fall on your outstretched hand, it won’t surprise you that you’ll likely feel pain in your wrist during and after the fall. But sudden impact injuries like this may also lead to ongoing wrist pain.

Falls and sports injuries are common causes of long-term wrist pain. They can cause strains, sprains and even tiny fractures, which might not show up on an X-ray right away. As a result, you might be left with lingering wrist pain.

5. Arthritis

Characterized by the swelling and tenderness of joints, arthritis is a common and often painful condition. Wrist arthritis affects about one in seven Americans.

Arthritis can occur in different areas of the wrist, but it always occurs at a joint (where two or more bones meet). Due to wear and tear, injuries and certain health conditions, the cartilage that coats the ends of your bones to cushion your joints can wear away. This causes bone to rub against bone, leading to pain, swelling and stiffness. Pain is usually worse in the morning and gets better over the course of the day.

6. A cyst in your wrist

Cysts, which are pockets of tissue filled with pus, fluid, air or other material, can form in any tissue in your body — including in your wrist.

Ganglion cysts, in particular, are fluid-filled cysts that develop on the back of your wrist. They’re usually harmless, and they can appear quickly. They may also change over time and disappear on their own. If a ganglion cyst puts pressure on a nerve, it can cause wrist pain. However, ganglions on the back of the wrist (dorsal) usually don’t put pressure on a nerve. They come from the wrist joint and occasionally can be a result of some form of trauma. Volar wrist ganglions can put pressure on nerves or arteries). It may also affect your wrist function.

How to get relief from your wrist pain

Some wrist pain can be treated at home with rest, ice and adjustments in how you use your wrist. You can also use over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain. Over the counter topical NSAIDs, such as Voltaren, can be applied directly to the painful area.

If your wrist pain doesn’t subside within a few days — or it gets worse over time — it’s time to see your health care provider. Other reasons to seek medical treatment for your wrist pain include:

• Not being able to move your wrist, fingers or hand
• Swelling or discoloration in your wrist, hand, forearms or fingers
• Painful tingling in your wrist or forearms

"Your provider may recommend other treatment options, including immobilization (such as with a brace or splint), hand therapy and, in severe cases, surgery," says Dr. Petrucelli.

Your wrist is an integral part of your daily activities, so it makes sense that it’s more prone to injuries or pain. It also means that wrist pain can limit your ability to go about your routine. If wrist pain interferes with your life, getting treatment — and making adjustments to how you use your wrist moving forward — will help your wrist pain now and prevent it from getting worse in the future.

Next steps:

Make an appointment with Philip M. Petrucelli, MD
Learn more about orthopaedic care at Main Line Health
Can you treat carpal tunnel with occupational therapy?