Your wrists are involved in nearly every daily activity, from typing and lifting to gripping, pushing, and carrying. Because the wrist is made up of eight small bones, numerous ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves, pain can develop from a wide variety of injuries and conditions. Identifying the underlying cause is the first step toward effective treatment.

Key Insight:

Wrist pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Common causes include sprains, tendon injuries, repetitive strain, fractures, arthritis, nerve compression, and injuries sustained during sports, falls, or motor vehicle accidents. Symptoms may include aching, sharp pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, clicking, numbness, tingling, or difficulty gripping objects.

Some of the most common causes of wrist pain include wrist sprains from overstretching or tearing of ligaments, tendonitis or tendinopathy caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, or typing, carpal tunnel syndrome in which the median nerve becomes compressed at the wrist causing numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger, arthritis including osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, fractures that commonly occur after falling onto an outstretched hand, and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries that often cause pain on the little finger side of the wrist.

A comprehensive examination is important because pain felt in the wrist may occasionally originate from another area, such as the elbow, shoulder, or neck. Your healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms, range of motion, strength, neurological function, and perform specific orthopedic tests to help determine the source of your pain. Imaging studies such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI may be recommended when a fracture, ligament injury, or other structural condition is suspected.

Many wrist conditions respond well to conservative treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, care may include activity modification, bracing, therapeutic exercises, soft tissue therapy, ergonomic recommendations, and manual therapy to restore normal movement of the wrist and surrounding joints. Chiropractors who evaluate and treat extremity conditions may also use joint mobilization or manipulation of the wrist when clinically appropriate to improve mobility and function. Treatment is individualized based on the patient's diagnosis and stage of healing.

If you're experiencing persistent wrist pain, early evaluation can help identify the cause and begin appropriate treatment before the condition becomes more difficult to manage.

Interested in learning whether conservative chiropractic care may help your wrist pain? Contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and discuss your personalized treatment plan.

Contact Us:

Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home

Sources:

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Distal Radius Fractures. Available through PubMed.

• Huisstede BMA, Fridén J, Coert JH, Hoogvliet P. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Hand and Wrist Disorders Clinical Practice Recommendations. Available through PubMed.

• Wipperman J, Goerl K. Evaluation and Diagnosis of Wrist Pain: A Case-Based Approach. American Family Physician.

• Bussières AE, Stewart G, Al-Zoubi F, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for Conservative Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders. Available through PubMed.