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

Physical findings in someone with wrist pain may include:

• Decreased range of motion in the wrist joint
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Deformed wrist
• Wrist pain (unilateral)
• That worsens with movement
• Wrist swelling (unilateral)
• Wrist tenderness

Tests that may be used to evaluate wrist pain include:

• Blood tests:
• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Rheumatoid factor
• Serum uric acid level
• Arthroscopy
• Arthrocentesis:
• A needle is used to remove fluid from the wrist joint
• X-rays
• Bone scan of the wrist: to identify a very subtle fracture
• MRI scan of the wrist

For more information:

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