Where does wrist pain come from? Causes & tips

If you have wrist pain, there can be many different reasons. You can find an overview here:

Blunt injuries

Have you fallen and supported yourself with your hand? Or have you been hit on the wrist, for example during sport? Then you should take a close look at your hand. If there is swelling and bruising, this indicates a serious injury. See your family doctor. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist.

Circulatory disorder

It is actually the job of the arteries (blood vessels) to transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. Deposits on the vessel wall can make this more difficult, or even prevent it if they become increasingly narrow. If the affected blood vessels are located in the wrist, this means that your hand and fingers are not supplied with enough blood and you are in pain.

Arthrosis

Osteoarthritis is a widespread joint disease. It affects around one in five Germans. Osteoarthritis is caused by the slow breakdown of joint cartilage (wear and tear) or as a result of an accident. If your wrist is affected by osteoarthritis, the progressive loss of cartilage causes the joint bones between the radius, ulna and carpal bones to rub against each other. You are in pain and find it increasingly difficult to move your hand.

Trigger finger

In addition to trigger finger, the terms snap finger, folding finger or trigger finger are also commonly used. They all refer to the same clinical picture: the tendons become inflamed and swollen. This makes it increasingly difficult for them to move through the surrounding tendon sheaths and they eventually get stuck. You can no longer stretch and bend the affected fingers properly. If you try anyway, you feel pain. Often you will also hear an unpleasant cracking sound and the typical snapping of the fingers.

Wrist pain: where it can occur

Do you feel the pain on the outside of your wrist? Usually as a pulling sensation that extends into the forearm? Do turning movements in particular hurt? Then everything points to tendinitis. See a doctor as soon as possible, as it can become chronic.

If the pain is on the inside of the wrist, it is often caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. It occurs when the so-called median nerve (important for the sensitivity of the hand) is trapped in the carpal tunnel at the wrist. This is caused by inflamed ligaments. They thicken and the nerve no longer has enough space. Friction occurs with every movement, which can make itself felt as nerve pain in the wrist.

If you suffer from joint pain all over your wrist, this indicates joint inflammation (arthritis). In most cases, swelling also occurs.

Bone pain in the wrist is also possible. You will then feel a deep, penetrating and dull pain. In most cases, an injury is the cause. However, a bone infection, hormonal disorders and tumors can also lead to this.

Wrist pain: when the fingers are affected

If the pain in the wrist mainly affects the little finger side (ulnar side), then you can assume that your wrist muscles are shortened due to constant tension. This can be caused, for example, by frequent PC work and an unhealthy posture.

If the pain in your wrist radiates to the thumb side, there are several possible reasons for this. You may be suffering from overstimulation of the tendon sheaths in the transition from the thumb to the hand. Osteoarthritis of the thumb saddle joint is also conceivable. Visit a doctor (family doctor, orthopaedist) to get clarification.

Pain in the wrist during movements

Do you have pain in your wrist as soon as you try to turn it? Or when you lean on it? Does the pain sometimes extend from your wrist to the side of your little finger? Then you have probably exposed your wrist to permanent overload or incorrect strain. It could be tendinitis or a long-term condition such as osteoarthritis. A visit to the doctor is called for. In fact, wrist pain can sometimes even be caused by unaccustomed strain such as push-ups.

This is also how wrist pain manifests itself

Do you suffer from constant pain at the top of your wrist or is it more of a stabbing pain in your wrist that suddenly occurs? Both are typical symptoms of tendinitis or advanced carpal tunnel syndrome. Don't try to heal yourself first, see a doctor straight away. Because if you wait too long, your symptoms can become chronic.