Table 1.

Differential diagnosis list of ulnar-sided wrist pain. This table provides a thorough list of differential diagnoses for patients presenting with ulnar-sided wrist pain. Each category and diagnosis must be considered when evaluating these patients

Osseous

Fractures: hamate (hook, body), pisiform, triquetrum (dorsal triquetral avulsion), lunate, base of 4th or 5th metacarpal, ulnar styloid, distal ulna, distal radius

Fracture sequelae including nonunions and malunions

Degenerative conditions: PT joint, midcarpal (triquetrohamate), 4th or 5th CMC, DRUJ

Kienböck disease

Incomplete coalition of LT joint

Ulnar impingement vs impaction

Hamatolunate impingement syndrome

Ulnar styloid impaction syndrome

Hamate Arthrosis Lunotriquetral ligament Tear (HALT) lesion

Madelung’s deformity

Ligamentous

TFCC tear (peripheral vs foveal)

Carpal, midcarpal, DRUJ instability

Ligament tears: LT, CH, UL, TC, TH, UT split

LT dissociation

Tendinous

ECU tendon subluxation, dislocation, tendinopathy, or rupture

FCU tendinitis

EDM tendinitis

Vascular

Hypothenar hammer syndrome

Ulnar artery thrombosis

Hemangioma

Raynaud syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Peripheral vascular disease

Cardiac emboli

Neurologic

C8 – T1 cervical radiculopathy

Brachial plexopathy

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Guyon’s canal syndrome

Dorsal sensory ulnar nerve neuritis

CRPS

Neuroma

Miscellaneous

Benign or malignant neoplasms

Psychological conditions