Your wrist hurts when leaning on it (push-ups, getting out of bed), gripping and twisting objects, or after long typing? It is a complex joint with many small structures — which is why “wrist pain” has very different causes, and a precise diagnosis is essential.
What can wrist pain mean?
The most common: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (pain on the thumb side, lifting weights or babies), carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness plus pain), flexor/extensor tendinitis, triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries (pain on the little-finger side with twisting), after-effects of old sprains or fractures and, more rarely, arthritis.
Symptoms worth noting
Thumb-side pain with gripping (De Quervain’s), little-finger-side pain with twisting (TFCC), associated numbness (carpal tunnel), pain leaning on the palm (joint loading), swelling or morning stiffness.
Common causes
Repetitive movements (keyboard, mouse, phone, manual trades, baby care), sports overload (gymnastics, tennis, weightlifting), old incompletely rehabilitated sprains and fractures, and poor wrist posture.
Can it be treated without surgery?
The vast majority — yes: smart relative rest, manual therapy, a progressive strength and mobility programme, ergonomics and, if needed, a temporary splint. Surgical cases (some TFCC injuries, severe carpal tunnel) are identified at assessment.
How we treat wrist pain at Medicine Park
We localise the affected structure precisely (thumb side vs little-finger side vs diffuse), test the forearm–elbow–shoulder chain too, then build the plan: manual therapy, progressive loading, nerve mobilisation where needed, and ergonomic and technique adjustments. All in English.
How long does recovery take?
Tendinitis: 4–8 weeks. TFCC injuries and after-effects: longer, staged. Realistic timeline at assessment.
When to seek help
If wrist pain persists beyond two weeks or numbness appears, book an assessment. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.
