Wrist Pain

Introduction^1,2

There are many possible causes of wrist pain, including sprains or fractures from sudden injuries, as well as longer-term issues like repetitive strain, arthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome. While you can often ease the pain yourself, it can sometimes be more serious, such as a broken wrist which needs medical attention.

Causes and Symptoms of wrist pain¹

While wrist pain is common and often caused by bruising or an injury, there are lots of possible causes. Please do not self-diagnose, speak to a GP if you are worried.

Symptoms	Possible Cause
Sudden, sharp wrist pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury	Broken wrist
Pain, swelling and bruising, difficult to move wrist or grip anything	Sprained wrist
Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the thumb (near the wrist) that lasts a long time, may be hard to move fingers and thumb, may have a lump	Tendonitis or arthritis
Aching pain that’s worse at night, tingling, numbness or pins and needles in the fingers, hand or arm, a weak thumb or difficulty gripping	Carpal tunnel syndrome
Smooth lump on top of the wrist, may be painful	Ganglion cyst

Treatments for wrist pain^3,4,5

Treatments for wrist pain will vary depending on the cause. Some of the most common treatments for wrist pain include:

Rest – taking a break from work, hobbies or sports that caused the injury
Icing – Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 10-15 minutes a few times a day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin (wrap the ice pack in a towel or cloth)
Anti-inflammatory medicine – Ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce swelling for minor conditions
Ergonomic adjustments – Changing your hands position during repetitive motions can reduce stress on the wrist
Physical therapy – A physical therapist can give you exercises to increase your wrist’s strength and flexibility
Immobilisation – Wearing a cast, splint or brace to hold your wrist in place to allow it to heal
Surgery – Depending on the issue, you may need surgery.

Exercises for wrist pain^6,7

These exercises may be helpful for pain associated with your wrists, fingers or hands. If you have been diagnosed with a condition or have a broken wrist, speak to your healthcare professional before carrying out any new exercises.

Thumb stretch

Place your arm flat on a table, palm side up
Fully straighten your thumb
Bend the tip of your thumb across the palm towards your little finger
Fully straighten the thumb again

Full finger bend

Place your elbow on the table and straighten your fingers fully
Curl all the joints of your fingers into a full fist
Fully straighten your fingers

Wrist bend

Place your elbow on the table with your fist clenched
Move your wrist up and down
Straighten your fingers and repeat the same movement

Hand lift

Place your forearm on a flat surface, like a table, with your hand hanging over the edge, palm facing down. (A rolled-up towel under your wrist might provide extra comfort)
Keep your fingers relaxed and move your hand upward until you feel a gentle stretch
Return to starting position