Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains are a result of the ligaments of the wrist stretching too much or tearing. They're a common sports injury that occurs when someone falls onto an outstretched hand, twisting or bending the wrist. There are three grades of wrist sprain, with 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe.
Symptoms of a Wrist Sprain
There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained. Wrist sprains can even pull off a tiny piece of bone (called an avulsion fracture). The most common symptom of a wrist sprain is pain, especially when moving the wrist or hand.
Other symptoms include:
• Swelling
• Bruising
• A feeling of warmth, popping or tearing
Treatment of a Wrist Sprain
If you suffer a wrist injury, it’s important to seek medical treatment if it doesn’t quickly improve. Often, patients actually have a fractured wrist, which can lead to chronic pain and stiffness. To confirm the diagnosis of a wrist injury, your doctor, sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon will do a physical exam and may order x-rays, an MRI, a CT scan or an arthrogram.
A mild wrist sprain will generally improve with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatories. A more serious wrist sprain may need a splint to completely heal. A severe wrist sprain my require surgery to fully repair the torn ligament. The orthopedic surgeon will reconnect the torn ligament to the bone or perform a tendon graft. Following surgery for a wrist injury, many patients benefit from physiotherapy to strengthen the wrist and improve range of motion. It usually takes the ligament about 8 to 12 weeks to heal, although it can take up to 12 months for a full recovery.
While it’s not possible to prevent all injuries, you can reduce the risk of spraining your wrist by avoiding icy and wet areas as much as possible, and wearing protective wrist gear when playing sports.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on wrist sprains.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on orthopedics.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
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There are three grades of wrist sprain, with 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe.
-
There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained. Wrist sprains can even pull off a tiny piece of bone (called an avulsion fracture).
-
Symptoms of a wrist sprain include pain, swelling, bruising and a feeling of warmth, popping or tearing.
-
A mild wrist sprain will generally improve with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatories. A more serious wrist sprain may need a splint to completely heal.
-
A severe wrist sprain my require surgery to fully repair the torn ligament. The orthopedic surgeon will reconnect the torn ligament to the bone or perform a tendon graft.
Upper Body
Lower Body
General
Sports Related
Wrist Sprains
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Action Plan - Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains are a result of the ligaments of the wrist stretching too much or tearing. They're a common sports injury that occurs when someone falls onto an outstretched hand, twisting or bending the wrist. There are three grades of wrist sprain, with 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe.
Symptoms of a Wrist Sprain
There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained. Wrist sprains can even pull off a tiny piece of bone (called an avulsion fracture). The most common symptom of a wrist sprain is pain, especially when moving the wrist or hand.
Other symptoms include:
• Swelling
• Bruising
• A feeling of warmth, popping or tearing
Treatment of a Wrist Sprain
If you suffer a wrist injury, it’s important to seek medical treatment if it doesn’t quickly improve. Often, patients actually have a fractured wrist, which can lead to chronic pain and stiffness. To confirm the diagnosis of a wrist injury, your doctor, sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon will do a physical exam and may order x-rays, an MRI, a CT scan or an arthrogram.
A mild wrist sprain will generally improve with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatories. A more serious wrist sprain may need a splint to completely heal. A severe wrist sprain my require surgery to fully repair the torn ligament. The orthopedic surgeon will reconnect the torn ligament to the bone or perform a tendon graft. Following surgery for a wrist injury, many patients benefit from physiotherapy to strengthen the wrist and improve range of motion. It usually takes the ligament about 8 to 12 weeks to heal, although it can take up to 12 months for a full recovery.
While it’s not possible to prevent all injuries, you can reduce the risk of spraining your wrist by avoiding icy and wet areas as much as possible, and wearing protective wrist gear when playing sports.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you'd like more information on wrist sprains.
Visit HealthChoicesFirst.com for more videos and resources on orthopedics.
Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider
-
There are three grades of wrist sprain, with 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe.
-
There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained. Wrist sprains can even pull off a tiny piece of bone (called an avulsion fracture).
-
Symptoms of a wrist sprain include pain, swelling, bruising and a feeling of warmth, popping or tearing.
-
A mild wrist sprain will generally improve with the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatories. A more serious wrist sprain may need a splint to completely heal.
-
A severe wrist sprain my require surgery to fully repair the torn ligament. The orthopedic surgeon will reconnect the torn ligament to the bone or perform a tendon graft.
