Differential Diagnosis for Wrist Pain
The patient's symptoms of wrist pain, exacerbated by movement and pressure, can be attributed to various causes. Here's a categorized differential diagnosis:
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Wrist Sprain: This is the most common cause of wrist pain, especially if the patient has a history of trauma or injury. A sprain occurs when the ligaments surrounding the wrist joint are stretched or torn, leading to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the wrist, often caused by repetitive strain or overuse, can lead to pain and stiffness.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and wrist.
- Ganglion Cyst: A non-cancerous lump that forms on the wrist joint, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on the joints in the wrist can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Fracture: A broken bone in the wrist, which can be caused by trauma or osteoporosis, requires prompt medical attention to prevent long-term damage.
- Infection (e.g., Cellulitis or Abscess): Bacterial infections in the wrist can cause severe pain, redness, and swelling, and require urgent antibiotic treatment.
- Nerve Compression or Damage: Compression or damage to the nerves in the wrist can cause permanent numbness, tingling, or weakness if left untreated.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Kienbock's Disease: A rare condition where the blood supply to the lunate bone in the wrist is disrupted, leading to pain and limited mobility.
- Gout or Pseudogout: Deposition of urate crystals in the wrist joint can cause sudden, severe pain and swelling.
- Wrist Tumor: A rare tumor in the wrist, such as a giant cell tumor or osteochondroma, can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
It's essential to conduct a thorough physical examination, take a detailed medical history, and potentially order imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, MRI) to determine the underlying cause of the patient's wrist pain.