Wrist Pain

Wrist pain can follow a fall, begin gradually with repetitive use, or appear as numbness and weakness rather than simple soreness. The wrist contains eight carpal bones, the distal radius and ulna, the TFCC cartilage complex, multiple stabilizing ligaments, tendons, and nerves, so accurate diagnosis matters.

Mountain Spine & Orthopedics evaluates wrist pain by mechanism and location: thumb-side pain, small-finger-side pain, central dorsal pain, palm-side numbness, post-fall swelling, clicking, or loss of grip strength. That pattern helps separate fracture, ligament instability, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, TFCC injury, tendonitis, ganglion cyst, and arthritis.

Wrist symptoms often point to a specific structure:

• Pain after a fall on an outstretched hand: May indicate distal radius, scaphoid, or other carpal fracture
• Thumb-side pain: Can suggest De Quervain's, thumb arthritis, or scaphoid injury
• Small-finger-side pain: Raises concern for TFCC injury or ulnar-sided tendon problems
• Clicking, clunking, or giving way: May indicate ligament instability
• Numbness or tingling: Suggests nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Morning stiffness or swelling: May suggest inflammatory or degenerative arthritis

Risk factors include falls, contact or board sports, gymnastics, racquet sports, weightlifting, repetitive gripping or typing, prior fracture, inflammatory arthritis, diabetes or thyroid disease associated with nerve compression, and age-related ligament or cartilage degeneration.

Diagnosis begins with location-specific tenderness, wrist motion, grip strength, neurologic testing, and stability maneuvers such as scaphoid tenderness, Watson testing, Finkelstein testing, TFCC compression, and carpal tunnel provocative tests.

X-rays evaluate fracture, alignment, and arthritis. MRI can identify occult scaphoid fracture, ligament tear, TFCC injury, cartilage damage, and tendon pathology. Ultrasound may help with tendon or cyst evaluation. We offer complimentary MRI reviews for patients with prior wrist imaging.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Treatment may include splinting, bracing, activity changes, anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate, outside rehabilitation guidance, and image-guided injections for selected tendon, nerve, or arthritis problems.

Surgical Options

Surgery depends on the diagnosis and may include wrist arthroscopy for TFCC or ligament injuries, fracture fixation for unstable fractures, carpal tunnel release for persistent nerve compression, or fusion/reconstruction for advanced arthritis or instability.

Bone pain after injury, nerve symptoms in the fingers, tendon pain with a specific motion, and deep joint pain with stiffness all require different workups. Persistent pain after a fall deserves particular attention because scaphoid and ligament injuries can be missed on early X-rays.

Prevention Tips

• Use proper technique and equipment during sports and work activities
• Take regular breaks during repetitive tasks
• Strengthen wrist and forearm muscles with targeted exercises
• Use ergonomic tools and maintain neutral wrist position when typing
• Wear wrist guards during activities with fall risk

If wrist pain is limiting grip, typing, lifting, sport, or sleep, schedule a consultation with Mountain Spine & Orthopedics. Prior X-rays or MRI can be reviewed to determine whether the problem is bone, ligament, tendon, cartilage, or nerve-related.