Wrist Swelling
Wrist swelling occurs when excess fluid accumulates in or around the wrist joint, causing visible enlargement and often accompanied by pain, stiffness, or limited movement. This common symptom can result from acute injuries, chronic conditions, or systemic diseases, making proper evaluation essential for appropriate treatment.
⚠️ Seek Emergency Care For:
- Severe swelling after significant trauma
- Visible deformity with swelling
- Numbness or tingling in fingers
- Inability to move wrist or fingers
- Skin color changes (blue, pale, or purple)
- Signs of infection (fever, red streaks)
- Severe pain not relieved by rest
- Rapid onset swelling in both wrists
Definition and Overview
Wrist swelling, or edema, represents fluid accumulation in the tissues surrounding the complex wrist joint. The wrist contains eight small carpal bones, multiple ligaments, tendons, and nerves passing through a confined space. Swelling can affect any of these structures or the joint space itself, leading to compression of nearby structures like the median nerve.
The pattern of swelling provides diagnostic clues - diffuse swelling often indicates arthritis or systemic conditions, while localized swelling may suggest ganglion cysts or tendon problems. Acute swelling following injury typically indicates trauma, while gradual onset suggests inflammatory or degenerative conditions. Understanding these patterns helps guide appropriate treatment.
Common Causes
Injuries
- Wrist sprains
- Fractures
- Ligament tears
- Contusions
- Dislocations
- TFCC tears
Inflammatory Conditions
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Pseudogout
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Lupus
Overuse Injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- Intersection syndrome
- Repetitive strain injury
- Bursitis
Other Causes
- Ganglion cysts
- Infections
- Pregnancy
- Kidney disease
- Heart failure
- Lymphedema
Associated Symptoms
Wrist Swelling often occurs with other symptoms:
- Wrist pain: Common accompaniment
- Stiffness: Limited range of motion
- Warmth: Indicates inflammation
- Redness: Inflammatory response
- Numbness/tingling: Nerve compression
- Weakness: Grip strength loss
- Clicking/popping: Joint problems
- Hand swelling: May extend distally
When It's Serious
Warning Signs
- Sudden severe swelling
- Signs of fracture or dislocation
- Loss of circulation
- Progressive neurological symptoms
- Fever with swelling
- Multiple joint involvement
- Night pain and swelling
- Unexplained bilateral swelling
Diagnostic Approach
Medical Evaluation
- Injury history
- Swelling onset and pattern
- Physical examination
- Range of motion testing
- Neurological assessment
- Comparison with other wrist
Common Tests
- X-rays: Fractures, arthritis
- MRI: Soft tissue detail
- Ultrasound: Tendons, cysts
- Blood tests: Inflammation markers
- Joint aspiration: Fluid analysis
- EMG/NCS: Nerve function
Home Care Tips
RICE Protocol
- Rest the affected wrist
- Ice 15-20 minutes every 2 hours
- Compression with elastic bandage
- Elevate above heart level
- Avoid tight compression
- Remove jewelry promptly
- Limit wrist use
- Support with splint if needed
Management
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Gentle range of motion
- Ergonomic modifications
- Avoid repetitive activities
- Proper wrist positioning
- Heat after acute phase
- Monitor for changes
- Gradual return to activities
Prevention
- Proper ergonomics: Workstation setup
- Regular breaks: From repetitive tasks
- Wrist exercises: Strengthening and stretching
- Protective gear: During sports/activities
- Good technique: In activities
- Weight management: Reduce joint stress
- Manage conditions: Arthritis, diabetes
- Avoid overuse: Gradual activity increase