What Are the Causes of Pain on Outer Side of Wrist?
There are many conditions and injuries that can cause pain on the outside of the wrist. Wrist pain can make everyday activities such as opening a jar difficult.
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Ulnotriquetral Ligament Tear
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An ulnotriquetral ligament tear or UT, may cause severe pain to the outside of the wrist. This ligament connects the bones of the forearm, and a tear may make sports and activities of daily living painful and difficult. Surgery may be required to repair this ligament and restore full function of the wrist.
Wrist Fractures
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Fractures of the wrist can cause pain on the outer side of the wrist. A person that has a wrist fracture may have grip weakness, pain and limited range of motion. A severe fracture may require surgery in which screws are placed in the bones and placed in a cast for at least six weeks.
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Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
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Ulnar nerve entrapment often occurs with the presence of a ganglion cyst in the wrist. This condition may cause pain to the outside of the wrist and numbness to other areas of the hand. Surgical removal of the cyst, may be necessary if pain is not relieved by other treatments.
Arthritis
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Distal radioulnar joint arthritis (DRJA) may occur from a repetitive injury, trauma or systemic illness such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. The symptoms that are associated with DRJA are pain on the outside of the wrist, clicking of wrist bones, decreased range of motion and decreased grip strength. Treatment for this condition includes rest, NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and steroid injections.
Considerations
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Wrist pain can often be difficult to diagnose. The physician will use diagnostic tools such as MRI scans, patient history and visual examination to make the diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan.
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