Wrist pain can have various origins, but is mainly due to trauma, such as a broken bone or a torn ligament (sprain). With age or the practice of repeated gestures, other diseases can also appear and cause pain in the wrist.

Wrist pain can appear suddenly, following trauma, such as a fall or twist, or it can be chronic, meaning that it sets in gradually and over time.

It is most often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• redness of the wrist;
• stiffness of the joints;
• swelling;
• or a feeling of heat.

Hand and wrist movements can also be more or less affected depending on the cause of the pain.

As a reminder, the wrist is the hinge area between the hand and the forearm. It is made up of several joints that are essential for hand movements and gripping, that is, our ability to grasp objects. It is at the level of the wrist that the ends of the bones of the forearm (the ulna and the radius) and the carpal bones which are at the base of the hand meet. In adulthood, there are eight carpal bones and are held in place by a complex network of ligaments.

There are several causes that can cause wrist pain. The most common are traumatic in origin, such as:

• bone fractures: the most common is a fracture of the scaphoid, one of the carpal bones located at the base of the thumb. In this case, the pain may be mild and the fracture is sometimes difficult to detect, even on x-rays;
• sprains: they affect the ligaments and are benign when they are simply stretched, but more serious if there is a complete rupture.

Other causes can also lead to wrist pain. Let us quote:

• rheumatoid arthritis: it often affects both wrists at the same time and can come on gradually or start suddenly with an acute attack. It is an inflammation of unknown origin which gradually destroys the joints;
• osteoarthritis: it is a mechanical wear of the cartilages of the joint. It most commonly affects the bones of the wrist at the base of the thumb;
• tendonitis of the wrist: inflammation of the tendons is generally due to an effort or a repetitive gesture which weakens them. The most common in the wrist is Quervain’s tendonitis, which affects the tendons at the base of the thumb;
• carpal tunnel syndrome: the carpal tunnel is located in the center of the wrist. In particular, it allows the passage of the median nerve which provides the sensitivity of the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger. Several diseases can cause compression of this nerve and cause loss of feeling or tingling in the fingers. In this case, the pain in the wrist can go up to the elbow, even up to the shoulder and become very disabling in everyday life.

More rarely, wrist pain may be due to gout attacks due to uric acid deposits in the joints. When these are calcium deposits, it is called joint chondrocalcinosis (also called pseudo-gout).

The evolution of pain depends directly on the origin of it. A badly treated fracture or sprain can lead to the appearance of osteoarthritis or even more serious complications, such as necrosis.

In some cases, after trauma, such as a fracture, the pain can last for several months and be accompanied by blood circulation disturbances and bone problems. This is called algodystrophy. It is a nerve conduction abnormality whose real causes are still poorly understood, but which most often evolves towards spontaneous recovery within a few months.

Treatment for wrist pain will depend on the underlying cause. Not all of them require medical attention. In some cases, resting the joint, as well as applying ice to the area and taking over-the-counter pain relievers, may be enough to ease the pain.

If pain or symptoms of inflammation, such as redness, swelling, or a feeling of heat persist, it is recommended to seek medical attention. He will be able to establish a precise diagnosis and adjust treatment accordingly. For example, he may offer a splint, antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain.

In order to prevent the onset of pain or the relapse of certain diseases, it is especially recommended to limit repetitive movements of the wrist, as well as violent efforts.