Differential Diagnosis for Atraumatic Swollen Wrist
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis: This is a common condition that can cause swelling and pain in the wrist, especially in older adults, due to wear and tear of the joint cartilage.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that can cause inflammation and swelling in the wrists and other joints, often presenting with morning stiffness and symmetric joint involvement.
- Gout: A form of arthritis characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in one or more joints, most often the wrist or big toe.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: A condition that combines the swollen, scaly skin of psoriasis with joint pain and arthritis, which can cause swelling in the wrist.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Septic Arthritis: A serious infection within a joint that can cause rapid swelling, pain, and warmth, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent joint destruction.
- Ganglion Cyst: A lump or mass that can occur on the wrist, which may cause swelling and can sometimes be painful, but is usually benign.
- Lymphoma or Other Malignancies: Although rare, certain types of cancer can cause swelling in the wrist due to tumor growth or metastasis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hemochromatosis: A genetic disorder characterized by excessive iron accumulation in the body, which can lead to arthritis and swelling in various joints, including the wrist.
- Sarcoidosis: A condition in which inflammatory cells form lumps known as granulomas in various parts of the body, including the joints, which can cause swelling and pain.
- Amyloidosis: A group of diseases in which abnormal proteins (amyloid) accumulate in organs and tissues, potentially causing joint swelling among other symptoms.