When you think of wrist pain, you might think of carpal tunnel syndrome. While this is a common cause of chronic pain in the wrists, it’s not the only one that can affect you. If you have pain on the outside of your wrist or running along your pinky, it may be related to something else.

Three causes of pain on the outside of the wrist

The outside of your wrist, known as the ulnar region, is made up of many small, moving parts. This makes it subject to a variety of injuries or conditions. Because of this, your doctor may take an X-ray or CT scan before diagnosing the cause of your pain.

Often, pain on the outside of the wrist is caused by one of these three conditions:

• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is the inflammation of one of your tendons due to stress from repetitive activities. There are many tendons connecting the joints and muscles in your fingers, hands and wrists. Pain along the outside of your wrist may be connected to tendinitis in one of the tendons in that area.
  
• Arthritis — Arthritis is a chronic condition that wears down the cartilage in your joints. This can affect the joints in your hands too, which may cause pain on the outside of the wrist if the arthritis is in that area.
  
• Fracture — A traumatic impact, such as a fall or an automobile accident, can cause one of the bones in your wrist to fracture. If the outside of the wrist is subject to the force, you might have a fracture in this region that causes pain. 

Treating wrist pain with physical therapy

There are a variety of treatments for wrist pain, but what’s right for you depends on the cause and severity of your pain. In many circumstances, physical therapy can help.

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in treating muscle, tendon, ligament, bone and joint pain. They are capable of assessing your wrists to identify the cause of your pain. They can use what they learn from the assessment to create a personalized treatment routine to help you manage the pain. 

Physical therapy treatments for wrist pain vary depending on your needs, but they often include:

• Gentle stretches and exercises
• Hands-on therapy
• Posture guidance
• Patient education

Visit Rehab Access today for wrist pain treatment

Is wrist pain limiting the use of your hands for your favorite daily activities or your work? Our team at Rehab Access can help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life. Contact our team today for more information about pain on the outside of the wrist or to schedule an initial appointment.