Assessing wrist pain: a simple guide

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2020 May 2;81(5):1-7. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2019.0051. Epub 2020 May 11.

Abstract

Wrist pain is a common presenting symptom, affecting any age group. Assessment of wrist pain can be very challenging for junior clinicians and non-specialists, especially in patients with a chronic condition. This article looks at the bony and neurovascular anatomy of the wrist joint and describes a simple guide to clinical assessment of wrist pathology, highlighting the awareness of red flag signs, which would warrant an immediate referral for secondary care input.

Keywords: Algorithm; Assessment; Red flags; Wrist pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthralgia / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Physical Functional Performance
  • Wrist Joint / anatomy & histology*
  • Wrist Joint / pathology*