The symptom checker reviewed by doctors

Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed
symptom checker to find more information on your health issue.

  • Symptom
  • Assessment
  • Results

Did you hit, twist, or fall on your arm, hand, or wrist?

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Is the affected area deformed or swollen?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a FRACTURED bone.

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Does the pain get worse when you move your arm, hand, or wrist?

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Possible Diagnosis

If there is no fracture, the limb may be SPRAINED.

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Does the pain get worse with repetitive movement (e.g., while working or playing a sport)?”

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Possible Diagnosis

If there is no fracture, the tendons (a cord of tissue connecting muscle to bone) or ligaments (tissue connecting bones to each another) around the joint may be SPRAINED or STRAINED.

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Is it painful to grip a doorknob, and does the pain start on the outside of your elbow and move down your arm to your wrist?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS (i.e., tennis elbow).

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Do you have numbness or pain in your fingers, hand, wrist, or arm, especially when you flex your wrist (i.e., bend your palm toward your forearm)?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, a compression of the median nerve in the wrist and hand.

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Do you have a firm lump or swelling near your wrist or finger joints?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have a GANGLION CYST, a common non-cancerous cyst.

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Do you have redness, swelling, or pain in the skin around a cut or wound, or is there a red streak anywhere on your arm or hand?

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Possible Diagnosis

These are all signs of INFECTION in the hand, wrist, or arm.

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Are one or more joints swollen and tender? Do you have a fever?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, an inflammatory joint condition. You may also have GOUT, or an INFECTION (with fever) of the joint or bone.

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Does your thumb hurt with gripping, typing, or writing with a pencil or pen?

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Possible Diagnosis

You may have CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME or de QUERVAIN’S TENOSYNOVITIS.

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Self Care

URGENT
See your doctor right away. Apply ice packs to the affected area. Use a sling to help hold the arm still and reduce pain. Use an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Self Care

Avoid activities that cause pain. Apply ice and don’t move your arm. Use an over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce swelling. See your doctor if the pain gets worse.

Self Care

Avoid activities that cause pain. Apply ice and a compressive bandage or sleeve. Use an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and reduce swelling. See your doctor if the pain gets worse or does not improve with rest.

Self Care

Avoid activities that cause pain. Apply ice and a compressive bandage or sleeve. Use an over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and reduce swelling. See your doctor if the pain gets worse or does not improve with rest.

Self Care

Use anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling. A wrist splint worn at night may also ease pain and numbness. If your symptoms don’t improve, see your doctor.

Self Care

See your doctor if the cyst causes pain or begins to grow rapidly.

Self Care

URGENT
See your doctor right away. Use an antibiotic ointment (like bacitracin) on infected cuts.

Self Care

See your doctor right away. Use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Self Care

For CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, use an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling. A wrist splint worn at night may also ease pain and numbness. If your symptoms don’t improve, see your doctor.

For de QUERVAIN’S TENOSYNOVITIS, your doctor may prescribe, or you can purchase an over-the-counter splint that does not allow your thumb to move. See your doctor if the pain worsens or does not improve with rest.

For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call your doctor right away.

DISCLAIMER

Symptom Checker content is provided for informational purposes only. This tool may leverage certain generative artificial intelligence tools to generate results, but you should not rely on this tool as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health or the information provided when you use this tool, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have read using this tool or on the FamilyDoctor.org website. Use this content solely at your own risk. If you think you may have a medical emergency, dial 911.