What could cause pain in the outer wrist joint?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Outer wrist pain, also known as ulnar-sided wrist pain, occurs on the pinky-finger side of the wrist. Common causes include:

Sports injuries: Racquet sports like tennis, golf, or baseball can strain the ulnar wrist.
Post-fracture stiffness: Lingering pain and reduced mobility after a wrist fracture.
Repetitive strain: Overuse from typing, lifting, or gripping.
Ligament or cartilage tears: Such as TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) injuries.

Because outer wrist pain can stem from many conditions—some minor, some requiring medical attention—it's important to identify the root cause early. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you pinpoint likely causes based on your specific symptoms and guide your next steps, whether that's home care, seeing a doctor, or visiting a specialist. Taking a few minutes now could save you weeks of uncertainty.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover what’s causing outer wrist pain Learn if outer wrist pain needs care Find out if wrist pain is serious See OTC options for wrist pain Find a doctor for wrist pain Understand home remedies for wrist pain Check likely causes of outer wrist pain

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Explanation

Pain in the outer wrist joint, or the side that the pinky is on, is often referred to as ulnar wrist pain, and can have several causes. One common cause is related to sports activities, especially those involving repetitive wrist movements, like tennis. This type of pain is frequently seen in athletes due to the strain on the ulnar side of the wrist.

Another potential cause of outer wrist pain is stiffness following a fracture in the wrist area. When a fracture occurs, especially in the distal radius, it can lead to stiffness and discomfort in the wrist joint as it heals. This stiffness can contribute to ongoing pain and difficulty with wrist movements.

In summary, outer wrist pain can result from sports-related injuries, particularly those affecting the ulnar side, or from complications such as stiffness after a wrist fracture. If you're experiencing wrist pain and want to better understand what might be causing it, try our free AI symptom checker for personalized insights. Proper diagnosis and treatment are important to address the underlying cause and alleviate the pain.

(References)

Yamabe E, Nakamura T, Pham P, & Yoshioka H. (2012). The athlete's wrist: ulnar-sided pain. Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology, 23047280.
Logli AL, Loushin SR, Orlando AF, Tetzloff S, Kaufman KR, & Kakar S. (2022). Ulnar Wrist Pain in a Tennis Player: Case Review and .... JBJS reviews, 35394979.
Egol KA, Karia R, Zingman A, Lee S, & Paksima N. (2014). Hand stiffness following distal radius fractures: who gets it .... Bulletin of the Hospital for Joint Disease (2013), 25986354.

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