Wrist Pain

What is Wrist Pain?

Wrist pain involves discomfort in the complex joint where your hand meets your forearm. The wrist consists of eight small bones (carpals), along with ligaments, tendons, and nerves that work together to provide both stability and mobility for hand function. Wrist pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating discomfort that significantly impacts your ability to perform daily activities and work tasks.

The condition can be acute (sudden onset from injury) or chronic (developing gradually over time), and may involve various structures including bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves within the wrist complex.

What Causes Wrist Pain?

Wrist pain can develop through various mechanisms and contributing factors:

Overuse mechanisms:

  • Repetitive computer work and excessive typing or mouse use

  • Poor ergonomics at workstations leading to sustained awkward positions

  • Repetitive gripping activities in sports or manual labour

  • Prolonged weight-bearing on hands (yoga, gymnastics, cycling)

  • Activities requiring repetitive wrist flexion or extension

Acute injury mechanisms:

  • Falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH injuries)

  • Direct impact or trauma to the wrist during sport

  • Sudden twisting or hyperextension of the wrist

  • Heavy lifting with poor wrist positioning

  • Sports-related collisions or tackles

Specific conditions:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome from nerve compression

  • De Quervain's tenosynovitis affecting thumb tendons

  • Wrist tendinopathy from overuse of flexor or extensor tendons

  • Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries

  • Scaphoid fractures or other carpal bone injuries

Contributing factors:

  • Postural stress from prolonged desk work

  • Muscle imbalances between wrist flexors and extensors

  • Poor wrist positioning during activities

  • Inadequate rest breaks during repetitive tasks

  • Previous wrist injuries or surgery

  • Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis

What Are the Symptoms?

Wrist pain presents with varying symptoms depending on the underlying cause:

Primary symptoms:

  • Aching or sharp pain in the wrist joint

  • Stiffness and reduced range of motion

  • Swelling around the wrist area

  • Weakness in grip strength and hand function

Activity-related symptoms:

  • Pain when typing, writing, or using computer mouse

  • Discomfort when gripping objects or opening jars

  • Pain during weight-bearing activities on hands

  • Stiffness after periods of rest, particularly in the morning

  • Pain that worsens with repetitive wrist movements

Specific symptom patterns:

  • Numbness or tingling in fingers (may indicate nerve involvement)

  • Pain radiating up the forearm or down into the hand

  • Clicking or popping sensations during movement

  • Night pain that disturbs sleep

  • Weakness when pinching or grasping objects

Functional limitations:

  • Difficulty with work tasks requiring fine motor control

  • Reduced ability to perform household activities

  • Impact on sporting activities requiring wrist stability

  • Compensatory movement patterns affecting elbow and shoulder

  • Reduced confidence in using the affected hand

Progressive symptoms:

  • Gradual onset over weeks or months in overuse cases

  • Initially pain only with activity, progressing to constant discomfort

  • Increasing stiffness and loss of motion

  • Muscle weakness from pain inhibition

  • Sleep disturbance due to night symptoms

Struggling with persistent wrist pain affecting your work or daily activities? Our specialist team has extensive experience treating wrist injuries across all populations, from office workers with repetitive strain to professional athletes requiring optimal hand function. We provide comprehensive assessment, targeted manual therapy techniques including joint mobilisation, and bespoke rehabilitation programmes to address both symptoms and underlying causes.