The guys above are perfectly right, you should be playing with the tips of your fingers. Also, try pushing your elbow out from your body so that your fingers, wrist and elbow form a straight line, this takes the pressure off the wrist. Keep the same position as you move around the fretboard moving the arm as one unit from the shoulder - this makes things a lot easier. Also, check out Frank Gambale for a guy with short fat fingers who can shred like crazy.