Ulnar Wrist Pain
At Care Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center (COSM), we specialize in diagnosing and treating ulnar wrist pain—the “black box of the wrist.” From sports injuries to ligament and tendon problems, our experts provide advanced care to restore strength, motion, and pain-free function.
Precision Diagnosis, Targeted Relief
What is Ulnar Wrist Pain?
Ulnar wrist pain refers to pain on the side of your wrist opposite the thumb (the “little finger” side). This pain can vary in severity depending on the cause and may worsen with activities such as gripping, twisting, or lifting.
Because many different injuries and conditions can lead to pain in this area, ulnar wrist pain is often called the “black box of the wrist.” Proper diagnosis by an experienced orthopaedic hand specialist is essential for effective treatment.
Causes
Common causes of ulnar wrist pain include:
- Trauma: A fall onto an outstretched hand may cause fractures or ligament tears.
- Sports injuries: Sports like tennis, golf, hockey, basketball, and football can bend the wrist backward, leading to injuries.
- Tendon injuries: Such as extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon problems.
- Ligament injuries: Including tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) or ulnotriquetral (UT) ligament.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ulnar wrist pain requires a careful clinical evaluation.
- Physical exam: Moving the wrist into specific positions to identify the source of pain.
- Imaging tests: X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound to detect bone, tendon, or ligament injuries.
- Motion analysis: In selected cases (such as tennis players), motion studies of the wrist may help evaluate tendon mechanics and repetitive strain patterns.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the injury. Options may include:
- Non-Surgical Management:
- Splinting or casting to rest the wrist
- Hand therapy and physiotherapy
- Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation
- Surgical Management:
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery): to evaluate and repair ligament or cartilage injuries (e.g., TFCC tears)
- Tendon or bone repair for structural injuries
Why Choose COSM?
At Care Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center (COSM), our fellowship-trained hand and wrist specialists provide accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for complex conditions like ulnar wrist pain. With expertise in both non-surgical and advanced minimally invasive surgical options, we aim to relieve pain, restore wrist function, and help you return to your activities safely.
For appointments, visit careortho.pk or contact us directly to schedule a consultation.