Evaluation of Chronic Wrist Pain

Abstract

Chronic wrist pain is a frequent clinical entity which causes serious workforce and financial loss due to functional impairment. The anatomic complex structure of the wrist and its biomechanical properties bring about difficulties in diagnosis and planning of appropriate treatment modalities. Many etiological factors play a role in development of chronic wrist pain. These factors can be categorized into radial side, central, ulnar side and generalized wrist pain according to anatomical properties of the wrist and the localization of the pain. For differential diagnosis of chronic wrist pain, a systematical clinical approach is mandatory. The etiology of the chronic wrist pain can be identified depending on more objective criteria by getting a full history of pain, a detailed physical examination, appropriate radiographs, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and diagnostic wrist arthroscopy. By combining these diagnostic tools, the specific etiological factor for pain can be identified and successful clinical treatment outcomes be achieved.