Table 1.

First-line investigations for common causes of chronic wrist pain

PATHOLOGY	FIRST-LINE INVESTIGATION	VIEWS
Scaphoid fracture nonunion	X-ray scan	3 views of the wrist plus a scaphoid view
Thumb CMC joint osteoarthritis	X-ray scan	3 views of the hand and thumb; true AP view of the thumb
Scapholunate instability	X-ray scan	3 views of the bilateral wrists plus a bilateral clenched-fist view
TFCC injury	X-ray scan	3 views of the wrist
De Quervain tenosynovitis	Ultrasound scan	Views of the first extensor compartment
ECU tendinopathy	Ultrasound scan	Views of the sixth extensor compartment
Carpal tunnel syndrome	Nerve conduction study or electromyography	NA
Ganglion cyst	Ultrasound scan	Views of the mass

AP—anteroposterior, CMC—carpometacarpal, ECU—extensor carpi ulnaris, NA—not applicable, TFCC—triangular fibrocartilage complex.