Wrist pain

The wrist is the most complex joint in the human body. It is the linchpin that enables the hand’s enormous range of motion. At times, immense forces act on the wrist, which can lead to the development of medical conditions.

For example, incorrect strain or overuse can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. As people instinctively use their hands to break their fall, acute injuries are also among the common causes of wrist pain.

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A woman in a yellow blouse is wearing a Juzo wrist brace

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Possible causes of wrist pain

Wrist injuries such as…

… bruises and sprains

… strains and torn ligaments (ruptures)

… dislocations

… broken bones (fractures)

Excessive or incorrect strain, such as…

… joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis)

… tenosynovitis

… compression in the carpal tunnel (carpal tunnel syndrome)

… irritation of the tendon insertion

… ganglion cyst

… compression in the Guyon’s canal

… constriction of a ring ligament

Conditions affecting the whole body, such as…

… rheumatoid arthritis

… gout and pseudogout

Types and symptoms of wrist pain

The nature of the pain and the accompanying symptoms can provide an initial indication of the possible cause. A distinction is made between temporary discomfort, acute pain and chronic pain. The pain may be stabbing, pulling, throbbing or dull.

The wrist often hurts when moving, after overexertion, or only during certain movements.

In cases of inflammation, the pain is often accompanied by swelling, redness or warmth.

If the nerves are affected, a tingling sensation or numbness may occur alongside the pain.

Common conditions associated with wrist pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Numbness and tingling in the thumb, index finger and middle finger
Pain that may radiate into the wrist and arm
Weakness when gripping

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is compressed. This happens in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome:

To immobilise the wrist and thus reduce the pressure on the nerve, a wrist brace such as the Juzo Pro Manu Xtec Palmar can be worn at night.

More information on carpal tunnel syndrome

Tendovaginitis

Symptoms of tendovaginitis:

Sharp, stabbing and pulling pain during movement
Redness and swelling
Restricted movement

Tendovaginitis is an inflammation of the sheath through which the tendons pass. This sheath protects the tendons and facilitates their movement. The inflammation is usually caused by overuse or repetitive movements.

Treatment of tendovaginitis:

To counteract the inflammation and relieve pressure on the joint, a support such as the JuzoFlex Manu Xtra can be used, or an orthosis such as the JuzoPro Manu can be used to immobilise the joint.

Wrist osteoarthritis (radiocarpal osteoarthritis)

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the wrist:

Pain on movement
Reduced strength and range of motion
Swelling of the wrist

If the protective layer of cartilage in the wrist is worn away, the bones rub against one another. If the joint area on the thumb side is affected, this is referred to as wrist osteoarthritis or radiocarpal osteoarthritis. The pain may radiate towards the back of the hand.

Treatment of wrist osteoarthritis:

In acute cases, immobilisation using a brace or relieving pressure with a bandage may be advisable. In addition, physiotherapy is used to relieve pain and maintain the mobility of the wrist.

Wrist sprain (distortion)

Symptoms of a bruised wrist:

Pain on movement
Swelling and bruising
Limited range of motion

A bruised hand is usually caused by a fall or a blow. This results in compression of the bones and soft tissues, leading to pain and swelling.

Treatment for a bruised hand:

In addition to applying cold, bandages and orthoses are used in severe cases to immobilise the hand.

JuzoPro Manu Xtec Palmar wrist brace on one hand

Wrist fracture (distal radius fracture)

Symptoms of a radius fracture:

Pain
Swelling
Limited range of motion

A fracture of the radius near the wrist is commonly referred to as a wrist fracture. This is caused by the immense forces that can act on the radius when a person breaks their fall by putting their hands out.

Treatment of a radius fracture:

Radius fractures are usually treated with surgery, followed by a plaster cast or a plaster splint. Orthoses may be used as part of the gradual return to movement.

Skaphoid fracture of the carpal bones (scaphoid fracture)

Symptoms of a scaphoid fracture:

Pain on the back of the hand and on the thumb side
Compensatory posture
Tenderness on palpation at the fossa of the radius (Tabatière)

The scaphoid is one of the eight carpal bones. It is situated between the radius and the thumb and is subjected to particularly high stress when breaking a fall. The immense forces involved can lead to a fracture of the scaphoid.

Treatment of a scaphoid fracture:

If the fragments of the scaphoid have not displaced relative to one another, treatment without surgery is also possible. In addition to a plaster cast, orthoses may also be used.

A woman is holding her aching wrist because she has a 'mouse hand'

Mouse hand (RSI syndrome)

Symptoms of ‘mouse hand’:

Tingling and numbness in the hands
Pain in the hand and wrist when moving them
Restricted movement

Mouse hand is caused by one-sided movement patterns, such as frequent clicking of a computer mouse.

Treatment for mouse hand:

In addition to improving workplace ergonomics, using ergonomic computer accessories and undergoing physiotherapy, bandages or orthoses may be used to immobilise the affected area temporarily.

General information on treating wrist pain

Before embarking on long-term self-treatment, you should consult a doctor if you are experiencing wrist pain.

This applies in particular to…

… acute injuries

… stab or cut wounds

… extreme, persistent or worsening pain

… numbness and tingling

… visible deformities

… grinding noises

… a snapping sound at the time of an injury

… restricted movement

First steps to take for painful wrists

Administer first aid: for example, treating wounds, immobilising the affected area or applying a cold compress.

There are many different conditions and injuries affecting the wrists, each requiring a tailored approach.

Symptom	Treatment
Chronic symptoms, stiffness, tension	Heat from a hot water bottle, heat pad, heat patch or infrared lamp to help you relax and relieve pain
Acute pain, swelling, bruising, pain on movement	Cooling with cold water, ice spray or a cold pack to reduce swelling and relieve pain
Inflammation, pain on movement, overexertion	Cooling and immobilisation
Bottleneck syndrome	Immobilisation
Acute injury	Assessment by a surgical specialist

Note: When using heat or cold for treatment, never apply them directly to the skin. Always wrap cold packs and heat pads in a cloth. Avoid extreme temperatures and do not apply cold for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

Overview of treatment measures

Depending on the clinical picture and the severity of the symptoms, various treatment options are available for wrist pain. The main non-surgical options are medication, physiotherapy, exercises and aids such as bandages and orthoses. In addition, there are so-called invasive procedures such as injections and surgery.

Medical aids: bandages and orthoses

Compressive and mobilising: JuzoFlex wrist supports

These supports relieve pressure, provide support and help to reduce swelling in the wrist. They maintain the wrist’s mobility and pave the way back to pain-free movement.

The JuzoFlex Manu Xtra offers maximum functionality combined with excellent breathability and comfort.

Relieving pressure and providing support: JuzoPro wrist braces

Braces are generally used to temporarily immobilise and stabilise the wrist. This is done, for example, following surgery, acute injuries or in severe cases.

JuzoFlex Manu Xtra wrist support on one hand

Wrist immobilisation

The JuzoPro Manu Xtec Palmar is used to immobilise the wrist, whilst allowing movement of the thumb and fingers.

Immobilisation of the wrist and fingers

The JuzoPro Palmar Xtec Digitus is designed to immobilise the wrist and fingers, whilst allowing the base joint of the thumb to remain freely movable.

Immobilisation of the wrist and thumb

The JuzoPro Palmar Xtec Rhizo immobilises both the wrist and the thumb’s metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. However, it allows the fingers to remain mobile.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and lymphatic drainage

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are often used following operations and injuries to restore the functionality and mobility of the wrist. As well as passive exercises carried out by qualified staff, you will also be given exercises to do at home. Lymphatic drainage helps to reduce swelling and thus promotes the healing process.

Exercises for wrist pain

There are a number of different exercises that are particularly useful for wrist pain. However, the exercises should be tailored to the specific cause of the pain.

Medication

Anti-inflammatory painkillers, in the form of ointments or tablets, can be used to provide temporary relief from wrist pain. However, to prevent the condition from becoming chronic, it is important to identify and treat the causes of the pain as soon as possible.

Surgical procedures

Surgical procedures are carried out, for example, in cases of nerve and tendon constriction, as well as following acute injuries. After surgery, orthoses are used to immobilise the affected area. Furthermore, compression therapy can promote the healing process, prevent excessive scar tissue formation and thus prevent restrictions in movement.