Differential Diagnosis for Left Wrist Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Tendinitis: This is often the most common cause of wrist pain, especially if it's related to repetitive motion or overuse. Tendons in the wrist can become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and wrist.
- Ganglion Cyst: A benign lump that forms on the wrist, often causing pain and discomfort, especially if it presses on a nerve.
- Wrist Sprain: An injury to the ligaments in the wrist, which can cause pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on the joints in the wrist can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Scaphoid Fracture: A break in one of the small bones in the wrist, which can be easy to miss but requires prompt treatment to avoid complications.
- Infection (e.g., Cellulitis or Abscess): Bacterial infections in the wrist can cause severe pain, redness, and swelling, and require urgent medical attention.
- Nerve Compression (e.g., Radial or Ulnar Nerve): Compression of other nerves in the wrist can cause pain, numbness, and tingling, and may require prompt treatment to avoid permanent damage.
Rare Diagnoses
- Kienbock's Disease: A rare condition where the blood supply to one of the bones in the wrist is disrupted, causing pain and limited mobility.
- Gout or Pseudogout: Deposition of urate crystals in the joints of the wrist can cause sudden, severe pain and swelling.
- Tumor (e.g., Giant Cell Tumor): A rare type of tumor that can occur in the wrist, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Scleroderma: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause thickening of the skin and connective tissue in the wrist, leading to pain and limited mobility.