Wrist pain

Common causes of pain in the wrist include a sprain, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

You can ease wrist pain by taking painkillers, resting your wrist, using a splint for support and reducing activities that put pressure on the wrist.

Wrist pain is often caused by bruising or injuring your wrist, but there are lots of possible causes.

Do not try to diagnose the cause of the pain yourself.

If you think you might have broken your wrist, do not try to treat it yourself. Contact 111 to find out what to do.

If you see a GP about mild pain or stiffness in your wrist, they'll usually suggest you try these things:

• rest your wrist when you can

• put an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a towel and place it on your wrist for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours

• keep your hands and wrists moving with gentle exercises to help ease mild pain and stiffness

• use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)

• take off any jewellery if your hand looks swollen

• stop or cut down activities that are causing the pain – for example, typing, using vibrating tools for work, or playing an instrument

• wear a splint to support your wrist and ease pain, especially at night – you can get these at most pharmacies and supermarkets

• think about using gadgets or tools to make difficult or painful tasks easier – for example, to open jars or chop vegetables

• do not use heat packs or have hot baths for the first 2 to 3 days after an injury

• do not lift heavy objects or grip anything too tightly

You can ask a pharmacist for advice about:

• the best painkiller to take
• the best splint to support your wrist and ease pain – flexible rubber splints are available if you still need to use your wrist
• whether you need to see a GP

• pain in your wrist is stopping you doing normal activities
• the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
• the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
• you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your hand or wrist
• you have diabetes – hand problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
• you have wrist pain and also feel unwell with a high temperature
• your wrist is painful, warm, swollen and stiff

Refer yourself for back or joint help

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get NHS help for back or joint problems