How to differentiate between wrist tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other causes of sudden wrist discomfort with no preceding injury?

Doctor's Answers 1

Photo of Dr Aaron Gan
Dr Aaron Gan

Hand Surgeon

Wrist tendinitis is a condition where one or more tendons around the wrist area becomes swollen (inflamed) and painful. The pain is aggravated on movement and activation of these tendons.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, on the other hand, is a condition where the median nerve is being compressed in the base of the palm of the hand, an area called the carpal tunnel.

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome are:

  • pins and needles or
  • tingling at the tips of the thumb, index, middle and radial half of the ring finger.

In more severe cases, the individual may be awakened at night with severe pain and tingling numbness in these fingers. The affected hand may also be weakened with increase in clumsiness due to the effect of the compressed nerve on the function of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle.

Other causes of wrist discomfort without preceding injury include the following:

  1. Degenerative, such as osteoarthritis (wearing of the articular cartilage in the wrist joint).
  2. Inflammatory, such as gout or pseudogout causing swelling and pain in the wrist.
  3. Autoimmune, such as rheumatoid arthritis which is caused by the body attacking its own cells that leads to progressive destruction of the joints and synovium.

A hand and wrist specialist will be able to help the individual arrive at the correct diagnosis and allow the proper treatment to be commenced.

Similar Questions

How do I get rid of wrist discomfort that had no preceding trigger?

There can be several causes of wrist discomfort, including joint, tendon, or ligament problems. If there is no preceeding trigger ( ie. I would presume trauma/ fall/ extreme heavy laods), it would unlikely be a fracture. Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, commonly can be due to a tendon overuse problem, eg De Quervains tenosynovitis. If the discomfort is persistent and not going away, it would be important for you to seek a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon. A thorough examination of your hand/ wrist and forearm would need to be done.

Photo of Dr Sean Ng

Answered By

Dr Sean Ng

Orthopaedic Surgeon

What should I do next if my wrist has not recovered completely after a fall?

A Fall On an OutStretched Hand (FOOSH) can cause significant injury to the wrist. These injuries can cause radial-sided (the side nearer the thumb) and/or ulnar-sided (the side nearer the little finger) wrist pain.

Photo of Dr Aaron Gan

Answered By

Dr Aaron Gan

Hand Surgeon

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox