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Follow this wrist pain flowchart for instructions on self-care and when to see your doctor.
| SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS | SELF-CARE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 1. Did you fall on, hit or twist your wrist? |  |
Go to Question 4.* | ||
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| 2. Has the wrist bone changed shape? |  |
You probably have a FRACTURE of a bone such as a |
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URGENT See your doctor as soon as possible. Wrap the affected limb in cool, moist cloths and hold the arm still. A sling may help reduce the pain. Use a simple analgesic. |
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| 3. Does the pain come with motion? | |
If there is no fracture, the wrist may be sprained | |
Apply ice and immobilize the arm/wrist. Check with your doctor if there's bruising or the pain is moderate to severe. |
| *4. Did the pain come from a repeated motion, or is it made worse by a job or sport? | |
You may have Wrist Tendonitis | |
Use rest and heat. If there's no improvement in a week, see your doctor. |
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| 5. Do you have numbness in your fingers, or pain in your hand, wrist or arm, especially when you flex your wrist? | |
You may have a compression of the median nerve called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
|
Use a wrist splint and an anti-inflammatory medicine. If there's no improvement in one week, see your doctor. |
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| 6. Do you have pain when gripping a handle? | |
Your symptoms may be from Tennis Elbow. |
|
Rest the arm and use an anti-inflammatory medicine. See your doctor if there's no improvement. |
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| 7. Do you have a firm lump or swelling on the back of the wrist? | |
This may be a Ganglion Cyst, a common tendon cyst. | |
See your doctor for confirmation of the diagnosis or when it becomes uncomfortable. |
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| 8. Do you have redness, swelling or pain in the skin, or a red streak up the arm with a fever? | |
These are all signs of INFECTION in the hand, wrist or arm. | |
URGENT See your doctor promptly. |
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| 9. Are one or more joints swollen and tender? | |
Wrist Arthritis can cause rednes and swelling in multiple joints. Gout usually occurs in just one joint, and INFECTION of the joint or bone can occur in any area. | |
See your doctor promptly. You may want to try an anti-inflammatory medicine. |
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| For more information, please consult your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call ASAP | ||||
