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💪 Upper limb

✋Wrist & Hand

The wrist and hand pack more small joints, tendons, and nerves into a small space than almost any other body region, enabling fine motor control at the cost of frequent overuse injury.

Also called: Carpal Region · Hand and Wrist Complex

OverviewAnatomyConditionsAssessmentExercisesProgressionPrecautionsRecovery

Media credits

Illustration of the wrist and hand bones, tendons, and nerves
Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca , mail: tomasz.sienicki at gmail.com] · CC BY 2.5

Quick facts

8 carpal bones plus 19 hand bonesBones
Flexion, extension, radial/ulnar deviation, gripPrimary motions
Repetitive gripping, typing, or nerve compressionCommon cause
4–8 weeks for tendon overuseTypical recovery
Flexor tendons, median nerve, carpal tunnelKey structures
Progressive weakness or muscle wastingRed-flag signs

The wrist and hand together form one of the body's most mechanically complex regions, combining eight small carpal bones, dozens of joints, and a dense network of tendons and nerves that pass through narrow anatomical tunnels on their way to the fingers.

This density of structure in a small space makes the region especially prone to overuse conditions such as tendon irritation and nerve compression, particularly with repetitive gripping, typing, or fine motor tasks. Carpal tunnel syndrome, affecting the median nerve, is among the most common nerve entrapment conditions in the body.

Because the hand is essential for so many daily tasks, even relatively minor wrist and hand conditions can be disproportionately disruptive, which is part of why early recognition and management are often emphasized. This page reviews the region's anatomy, common conditions, assessment methods, and general exercise and recovery patterns.

The profile

553030456550
  • Pain frequency55
  • Recovery length30
  • Exercise load30
  • Clinician need45
  • Self-care fit65
  • Recurrence risk50

Clinician need

45 / 100

The wrist and hand pack more small joints, tendons, and nerves into a small space than almost any other body region, enabling fine motor control at the cost of frequent overuse injury.

Seven ways into this topic

01

Anatomy

How the wrist's carpal bones, hand tendons, and nerves work together, and the typical range of motion for the region.

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 02

Conditions

An overview of frequently diagnosed wrist and hand conditions, their relative severity, and how often each is seen in clinical practice.

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 03

Assessment

How clinicians examine the wrist and hand, including common orthopedic and neurological tests and warning signs that warrant urgent care.

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 04

Exercises

Commonly used wrist and hand exercises covering nerve gliding, tendon-specific loading, and progressive grip strengthening.

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 05

Progression

A typical four-phase progression for wrist and hand rehabilitation, from symptom management to full functional and occupational loading.

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 06

Precautions

Common precautions and warning signs to be aware of while recovering from wrist and hand conditions or injury.

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 07

Recovery

A general timeline for recovery from common wrist and hand conditions and the criteria clinicians use to judge readiness to return to full activity.

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Frequently asked questions

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow tunnel on the palm side of the wrist, producing numbness, tingling, and sometimes weakness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
What is De Quervain's tenosynovitis?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is irritation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, often associated with repetitive gripping or thumb use, and is a common cause of pain near the base of the thumb.
Does typing cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
Research on keyboard use as an isolated cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is mixed; wrist position, overall repetitive hand use, and individual anatomical factors are all thought to contribute.
Can wrist splints help with nerve compression?
Night-time wrist splinting in a neutral position is commonly recommended for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome and is supported by several clinical guidelines as an early conservative measure.
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger tendon catches within its sheath, causing the finger to click, lock, or require extra effort to straighten after bending.
When does carpal tunnel syndrome need surgery?
Surgical release is typically considered when symptoms are severe, when there is measurable nerve damage on testing, or when conservative measures have not provided adequate relief.
What is a ganglion cyst?
A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac that commonly forms near wrist joints or tendons, often appearing as a soft lump that can fluctuate in size and is usually, though not always, painless.
Why does hand strength matter for wrist health?
Adequate hand and forearm strength supports the tendons and joints during gripping tasks, and grip strength is often used clinically as a general marker of upper limb function and recovery progress.

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