Wrist

History & Examination Summary

• History
• pain
  • where, radiation, type
  • how long, progression, when, nocte
  • aggravating, relieving
• other
  • stiffness
  • instability
  • click, clunk, catch
  • numb, weakness, radiculopathy
• function
  • Home (ADLs)
    • Bedroom
      • Dressing, back pocket, rise from chair
    • Bathroom
      • toilet, opposite underarm, comb
    • Kitchen
      • Eat
  • Work
    • Lift, carry
  • Sport
    • throw
• past history
  • neck, treatment, injury, surgery, similar, episodes
• Exam Neck, Shoulder & Wrist

• Exam
• look:swelling, wasting, deformity, scars, ulnar styloid, red
• feel:warmth, tenderness, bony landmarks
• move:crepitations, active & passive ROM (dorsiflexion, palmarflexion, radial & ulnar deviation, supination & pronation)
• spec:Watsons, Shuck, L/T ballot, midcarpal, piano key, TFCC load, Tinel
• power, neuro, vascular: (incl. grip strength)

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.