The pain or discomfort in your wrist on the same side as your pinky finger is known as ulnar wrist pain. Ulnar wrist pain can affect everyday activities and tasks. Any action that requires strength, wrist rotation, or fine motor skills may be difficult or impossible to perform. Writing, typing, lifting objects, using a smartphone or computer mouse can become difficult or painful.

In this article, we’ll cover ulnar wrist pain causes, common symptoms, and treatments.

When Does it Happen?

Ulnar wrist pain is not so uncommon, and it can be a result of different wrist injuries or activities that put pressure on the wrist joints and forearm bones such as falls, wrist sprains, or fractures.

People who engage in repetitive movements or high-impact activities involving a wrist have a better chance of encountering this type of pain. Conditions such as triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tears, ulnar impaction syndrome, and ulnar nerve irritation can cause ulnar wrist pain too. 

The Importance of Understanding the Causes of Ulnar Wrist Pain

Understanding the underlying causes of ulnar wrist pain is crucial for determining the most effective treatment. Since the cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain can occur from different sources, from minor to severe injuries, pinpointing the exact cause can dictate the type of treatment plan. Precise diagnosis can result in proper care that will reduce the pain and help long-term recovery. 

Wrist Structure and Bones

The wrist is a complex joint that connects the hand to the forearm and allows a wide range of motion. It contains two forearm bones – the radius and ulna.

The radius is a larger bone, located on the thumb side of the forearm responsible for wrist movement and actions where the main bone supports the wrist joint. The ulna is positioned on the pinky side of the forearm, slightly longer than the radius, and its main function is to stabilize the bone and provide structural support to the wrist joint. 

The whole stability of the wrist is secured with a collaboration of ligaments and soft tissues. Ligaments represent strong, fibrous connective tissue that attaches to the bone and holds the structure together, helping the wrist movement.

The most important structure for wrist stability is called the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), and it’s located on the ulnar side of the wrist. It supports articulation between the ulna and the carpal bones, serving as a shock absorber and stabilization structure during wrist movements.

Wrist injuries, particularly those affecting the ulnar side of the wrist, can directly affect the ulna, radius, and surrounding structures. Fractures, ligament tears, and TFCC damage lead to pain, instability, and limited movement, especially gripping, rotating the wrist, or bearing weight on the hand. 

Common Factors Behind Ulnar Wrist Pain

Below are some of the most common causes of this condition.

• Ulnar Impaction Syndrome: Ulnar impaction syndrome can be one of the causes of ulnar wrist pain. It happens when the ulna bone excessively contacts or impinges against the wrist bones, producing pain. This condition happens when there is an imbalance between the radius and ulna length, resulting in ulna bearing more weight than it should. 
  Repetitive motions that include outstretched hands, such as during weight-bearing activities or forceful pushing motions, can lead to this syndrome. Over time, this can evolve into inflammation and degeneration of the wrist joint, causing more pain, stiffness, and limited wrist function. 
• Ligament Injuries and TFCC Tears: Ligament injuries and tears in the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)  can directly affect wrist function and stability. TFCC, as a stabilizer on the ulnar side of the wrist, is especially vulnerable to tears caused by trauma or repetitive motion.
  Tears of this ligament lead to pain, swelling, and instability in the wrist which makes rotation or gripping objects painful and difficult. This negatively influences tasks such as typing, lifting, or sports activities.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis and Arthritis in the Wrist: Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where the body’s immune system attacks the synovial lining of the joints, causes inflammation, pain, and eventually joint damage. This affects the ulnar side of the wrist, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain. 
• Repetitive Strain and Overuse: Repetitive strain and overuse are a common cause of ulnar wrist pain, especially when it comes to activities with frequent wrist motion. Typing, heavy lifting, or tennis can lead to strain on the wrist. Improper hand positioning or holding your wrist in certain angles can cause excess stress on the ulnar side and cause pain and injury if not treated.
  

Recognizing Ulnar Wrist Pain: Symptoms and Signs 

Ulnar wrist pain is characterized by several symptoms. These are the most common ones: 

• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Weakness
• Limited mobility
• Instability
• Clicking or popping sensations

These symptoms make activities like repetitive wrist movements, gripping, or lifting heavy objects difficult.

Methods for Diagnosing Wrist Pain

Seek a healthcare professional if the pain is unbearable. They may use X-rays and other imaging techniques to help identify fractures,  joint misalignments, or conditions like arthritis. 

More advanced tools, such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT scans, examine soft tissue structures, such as TFCC or ligament injuries.

Effective Treatments for Ulnar Wrist Pain

Here are the main non-invasive treatments.

• Activity Modification: Reducing hand and wrist movement is the first step in ulnar wrist pain treatment. This includes adjustment of everyday tasks to minimize strain on the wrist. This can help alleviate symptoms and prevent further injury.
• Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy: Through targeted strengthening exercises and stretching routines, physical and occupational therapy can restore mobility, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
  While physical therapy works to enhance wrist stability, strengthen supporting muscles, and correct movement patterns, occupational therapy improves daily functional activities by teaching proper ergonomics and providing assistive devices to reduce stress on the wrist. 
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen or naproxen are often used to help the pain and inflammation, caused by ulnar wrist pain. These medications reduce swelling and pain, providing relief for conditions like tendonitis, arthritis, or sprains. They should be used in consultation with a doctor and as short-term pain relief. 
• Chiropractic and Supportive Therapies for Wrist Pain Relief: Chiropractic care for ulnar wrist pain can improve wrist alignment and reduce strain on the joint. This treatment may help restore normal wrist function, improve mobility, and reduce pain. It’s often combined with physical therapy.
  Other alternative approaches like acupuncture, massage, or ultrasound therapy may also provide relief and increase circulation.
• Surgical Treatments: When it comes to serious ulnar wrist pain, where other options don’t yield results, surgical intervention may be necessary. These procedures can address issues such as ulnar impaction syndrome, ligament tears, or other injuries to restore normal function. 
  Post-surgical rehabilitation, including physical therapy, is often required to regain full wrist mobility and strength.

Tips for Avoiding Wrist Injury

It’s important to incorporate safe movement practices and strengthen the muscles surrounding the wrist. Here’s how to achieve that: 

• Warm up and stretch before engaging in physical activities.
• Perform exercises that target the forearm and hand muscles.
• Use proper techniques when performing tasks that place stress on the wrist. 
• Take small breaks when doing prolonged or repetitive tasks like using a smartphone or computer mouse.

Make sure you cover all these tips each day for the best results.

Ergonomic Adjustments

For those experiencing ulnar wrist pain in their everyday tasks, especially on the job, here are some recommendations for reducing the strain: 

• Adjust your workstation. Keep your hand in a neutral position when typing or using a mouse. Use a mouse mat with wrist support and an ergonomic keyboard to minimize stress. 
• If your job involves repetition hand movement, take regular breaks and stretch your fingers. 
• Avoid excessive bending or twisting of the wrist, and use supportive tools like splints or braces if needed.

These should be enough to significantly reduce pain.

Chiropractic Methods for Relieving Wrist Pain

Chiropractic adjustments can effectively reduce the ulnar wrist pain with gentle manipulations, chiropractors work to realign the joint.

With a combination of specific techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and wrist adjustment, chiropractors target the problem area. This way they can enhance comfort, increase mobility, and promote better function in daily activities.

Chiropractic care works in synergy with physical and occupational therapy creating a holistic approach to pain treatment and functional recovery.

Custom Treatment Plans for Long-term Results

Personalized chiropractic care is crucial for long-term results. It’s best to use a tailored approach to meet your needs, restore optimal wrist function, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries. 

At Kaizo Health, our professional and experienced chiropractors play a vital role in each patient’s recovery journey. With a focus on non-invasive treatments and a personalized approach,  we achieve pain relief and regain full mobility while minimizing the risk of recurring wrist pain. 

Treat Ulnar Wrist Pain at Our Facilities

Fairfax, VA
Fort Washington, MD
Landover, MD
Rockville, MD