The evaluation of a wrist injury begins with a history and physical exam.

Physical findings in someone with a wrist injury may include:

• Wrist abrasion
• Wrist laceration
• Wrist puncture wound
• Wrist skin redness
• Wrist swelling
• Wrist tenderness
• Deformed wrist
• Decreased range of motion of the wrist
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Pale fingers

Tests are not necessary to make the diagnosis of a wrist injury.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a wrist injury may include:

• X-rays of the wrist:
• Normal
• Wrist fracture or wrist dislocation

Less commonly performed tests that may be used to evaluate a wrist injury may include:

• Bone scan of the wrist
• MRI of the wrist

For more information:

• Wrist fracture evaluation
• Wrist sprain evaluation
• Wrist contusion evaluation
• Wrist dislocation evaluation
• Wrist tendinitis evaluation