Wrist Injury

A Wrist Injury refers to damage or irritation affecting the bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage or soft tissues that support wrist movement. The wrist is a complex joint that allows gripping, lifting, rotation and fine hand control, making it particularly vulnerable to injury during daily activities, work tasks and sports.

Wrist injuries may occur suddenly following a fall or impact or develop gradually from repetitive strain. While some mild injuries improve with rest, persistent pain, weakness or stiffness often indicate an underlying issue that requires proper assessment to prevent long-term dysfunction.

Types of wrist injuries 

Wrist injuries can be grouped based on the structures involved and how the injury develops. This includes:

Traumatic wrist injuries

These occur after a fall, direct impact or sudden twisting force.

• Wrist fractures, including distal radius fractures
• Ligament tears, such as scapholunate injuries
• Acute tendon injuries

Overuse and repetitive strain injuries

These develop gradually from repeated movements or prolonged loading.

• Tendinitis and tenosynovitis
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
• Wrist extensor or flexor tendinopathy

Degenerative wrist conditions

These arise from wear and tear over time.

• Osteoarthritis of the wrist
• Degenerative ligament changes
• Cartilage thinning

Nerve-related wrist conditions

These involve compression or irritation of nerves passing through the wrist.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist

How are wrist injuries caused?

Wrist injuries typically result from different internal mechanisms that affect joint stability, tissue health and load distribution. Some of the common causes include:

• Sudden trauma or impact – falls onto an outstretched hand or direct blows can transmit force through the wrist, leading to fractures, ligament injuries or soft tissue damage.
• Repetitive loading and overuse – repeated wrist movements during typing, lifting, sports or manual work can exceed tissue tolerance, resulting in inflammation and micro-damage
• Poor wrist mechanics or alignment – abnormal wrist positioning during work or sports places uneven stress on tendons and ligaments, increasing injury risk over time.
• Degeneration of joint structures – with ageing or long-term strain, cartilage and ligaments lose resilience, reducing shock absorption and contributing to pain and stiffness.
• Muscle weakness or imbalance – weak forearm or hand muscles reduce joint stability, forcing passive structures like ligaments to absorb more load.

Common symptoms of an injured wrist 

The symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of injury, but commonly include:

• Wrist pain that worsens with movement, gripping or lifting
• Reduced grip strength or hand weakness
• Stiffness or limited range of motion
• Clicking or instability during movement
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially with nerve involvement

Persistent symptoms or pain during weight-bearing through the hand should not be ignored, as they may indicate structural damage.

Who is at risk of wrist injury?

Although wrist injuries are fairly common, certain factors increase the likelihood of developing them, even though they may not directly cause them. This includes:

• Age – older adults are more at risk as age-related cartilage thinning and reduced bone density raise injury susceptibility.
• Active individuals and athletes – sports involving falls, racquet use or repetitive wrist motion place higher mechanical stress on the joint.
• Office workers and desk-based roles – prolonged keyboard use or poor ergonomics can strain wrist tendons and nerves.
• Manual labourers – repeated lifting, gripping or vibration exposure increases cumulative joint stress.
• Previous wrist injuries – prior fractures or ligament damage may alter joint mechanics and increase reinjury risk.
• Underlying medical conditions – conditions such as arthritis or diabetes may affect joint health and nerve function.

How are wrist injuries diagnosed in Singapore?

An accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining the exact cause of wrist pain. This will help doctors to formulate personalised and appropriate treatment plans that will alleviate the pain. The diagnosis process begins with:

• History taking – our doctor will ask about symptom onset, injury history, daily activities, occupation and any repetitive movements that may contribute to pain.
• Physical examination – a detailed musculoskeletal evaluation assesses wrist alignment, swelling, tenderness, strength and joint stability. Specific tests help identify ligament, tendon or nerve involvement.
• Movement and functional assessment – wrist motion, grip strength and hand function are assessed to detect subtle mechanical issues.
• Imaging tests – imaging may be recommended when symptoms persist or structural injury is suspected. This may involve:
  • X-rays – to evaluate fractures, joint alignment and degenerative changes
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – to assess ligaments, tendons, cartilage and nerve compression

How are wrist injuries graded?

Injuries are commonly classified by severity, such as:

Common treatments for wrist injuries

The treatment focuses on relieving pain, restoring wrist function and preventing long-term complications. Most wrist injuries respond well to conservative care, with surgery reserved for specific cases. Some of the treatment methods are:

Conservative Treatments

• Activity modification – reducing or avoiding movements that aggravate the wrist allows inflamed tissues to recover.
• Rest and immobilisation – temporary use of wrist splints or braces helps stabilise the joint and limit further strain.
• Medication – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Ice therapy – applying ice packs for short periods can help control swelling during the early phase of injury.
• Ergonomic adjustments – improving wrist positioning at work or during activities reduce mechanical stress.

Non-Surgical Interventions

• Physiotherapy – targeted exercises improve wrist strength, flexibility and coordination.
• Corticosteroid injections – corticosteroid injections may be considered for persistent inflammation in selected cases.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections — this treatment uses a concentrated sample of the patient’s own platelets, delivered to the affected area to support the body’s natural healing response. It is a minimally invasive option that may be considered when symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment.
• Shockwave therapy – may be used to stimulate healing in chronic tendon-related wrist conditions.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is considered only when conservative measures fail or when there is significant structural damage, such as unstable fractures or complete ligament tears.

Book an Appointment

If wrist pain is limiting your work, daily tasks or hand movement, early assessment can play an important role in preventing further strain and supporting a smoother recovery.

Dr James Tan takes a thorough, personalised approach to wrist injuries, focusing on accurate diagnosis, targeted treatment and structured rehabilitation to restore strength, stability and function safely. Book an appointment with us today to receive timely care and guidance before the condition affects your long-term wrist health or daily comfort.