An unrecognized fracture of the scaphoid bone may be mistaken for a wrist sprain. Dr. Tyser: I think the most common fracture that we see as hand surgeons and hand specialists, is a fracture of what's called the distal radius. A sprained wrist is painful. If pain and swelling persist for more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor. Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. You might also need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan. This is especially important if the injury causes persistent wrist pain. To learn more, please visit our, , ligamentous damage, inflamed tendons.Usually diagnostic studies such as x-ras and. The wrist may look like it's not straight. All clinical services and programs are part of University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics. Nobody checked my right hand although i have always complained about it. New patients can schedule an appointment online and fill out your patient information to save time. Dr. Miller: And how would you get that fracture? Many people choose to take over-the-counter medications to help relieve the pain and swelling caused by a sprained wrist. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4514919/), (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31855358/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. The most common causes include: Its much less common, but certain health conditions can put enough pressure on your wrist ligaments to stretch them and cause a sprain, including: The most common complications are other injuries that happen when you sprain your wrist, including: A healthcare provider will diagnose a sprained wrist with a physical exam. Dont play sports or do any activity that can put more stress on your wrist. Fortunately, the solution to this is simply to keep slowly working with the wrist and trying to use it. These provide stability to the joint and also aid movement of the wrist. A jammed finger causes swelling, difficulty moving the finger, and pain. This may generally be a good idea; however, taking too much medication may cause unwanted side effects and potentially be unsafe. A person will typically experience pain when they sprain their wrist. Seek immediate attention if you have numbness or circulation problems. The primary cause of a wrist sprain is from a fall on an outstretched hand. Tenderness in certain areas may also be consistent with a broken bone. Many general orthopedic surgeons are more than qualified to take care of the routine, distal radius and other wrist fractures. A thumb may become sprained when the joint is stressed or overextended. Dr. Miller: Is the distal radius closer to the thumb or the little finger? In other words, a person should avoid using their wrist, use an ice pack regularly, compress the wrist, and keep it elevated as much as possible. A person can typically treat a sprained wrist with minimal medical intervention. Home remedies for a sprained wrist At home, you can treat a mild wrist sprain with the RICE method: Rest. Falls (especially catching yourself from a fall with outstretched hands). Your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis. After discussing your medical history and general health, your doctor will ask about any previous injuries to your hand or wrist. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Wrist sprains also occur during sports, such as skating, skateboarding, and skiing. pain that worsens when you . During sports or other physical activities: Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury: You should expect to make a full recovery after a sprained wrist. Could it be more than a sprain? Symptoms of a wrist sprain vary depending on the extent and the location of the sprain. The doctor will perform a physical examination of the hand and the surrounding areas. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising and loss of strength or stability are common with mild (grade 1) to moderate (grade 2) wrist sprains. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Start by clicking on the image below. People can often expect to feel at least somewhat better within 6 weeks. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Dr. Pietro Seni answered Orthopedic Surgery 49 years experience Need x-ray or MRI: They are several possible reasons:occult fracture, ligamentous damage, inflamed tendons.Usually diagnostic studies such as x-ras and MRI are needed to confirm a diagnosis. Today, most people arent familiar with Terry Thomas. It typically hurts when you try to move the wrist, grasp objects (especially heavy objects), or with twisting motions. Dr. Miller: How long before a wrist fracture heals typically? But eventually that could create problems. A person should contact their doctor even if they think they have a minor sprain to rule out other injuries that need specific treatment. The doctor may recommend imaging tests to improve diagnosis. It may be difficult, but the best thing to do is rest and give your body the chance to heal on its own. In order to treat a wrist sprain correctly, the doctor must determine the grade or severity of the sprain. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. About OrthoInfoEditorial Board Our ContributorsOur Subspecialty Partners Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions Linking Policy AAOS Newsroom Find an FAAOS Surgeon. Surgery may involve a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy. I am able to bend my hand back all the way to my arm. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. A mild wrist sprain can be treated in urgent care facilities using home care treatments. It's impossible to prevent the unforeseen events that often cause a broken . All material on this website is protected by copyright. Sometimes people that are skiing or participating in other sports that take a hard fall unexpectedly have that fracture. Most sprains are temporary injuries, and you should be able to return to all your usual activities as soon as your ligaments have healed. It was extremely painful for the first two weeks: a 7 on the pain scale. If you have chronic pain, you may need surgery. But wrist fractures you might go on for awhile with a swollen wrist and use it, not as much as you're used to. People can also take steps to prevent wrist sprains by avoiding walking on icy or slippery surfaces and by wearing appropriate wrist guards when engaging in activities that may injure the joint. When I fell my right wrist hurt like crazy as well and could hardly move it or grip stuff or turn taps/bottles etc for about 2 weeks. Leant backward on hand holding my son.Clear X-ray day of injury. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Cookie Notice Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. It is important for your doctor to evaluate even a mild wrist injury if it does not improve quickly. Your provider might ask you to move your wrist to check your range of motion (how far you can move a joint). Arthritis in the wrist follows three general patterns. Your provider will diagnose your injury and suggest treatments thatll get you back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Mild swelling could be visible and bruising might develop in more severe injuries. If left untreated, the fracture may not heal properly and the patient could require a surgery that might have been avoided with early, appropriate treatment. A physical and occupational therapist can help patients who have undergone surgery for wrist sprain to recover fully. We look at symptoms, treatment, and how to feel more comfortable during, Wrist pain is a common complaint that can have many causes. Wrist pain may feel sharp, dull, achy, or like pins and needles. Patients are encouraged to limit the use of the injured hand unless advised otherwise by the surgeon or physical therapists. Antetokounmpo mostly refrained from playing . In this weather condition, the ground is slippery and the chance of a slip is high. Because wrist sprains usually result from a fall, be careful when walking in wet or slippery conditions. Wrist sprains are common during snowfall or ice storms. How long does it take to heal? Consider immobilizing your wrist with a brace or splint to prevent movement in the joint. Is it just not mobile? How to know if you have a sprained wrist. [3] In general, Grade 1 sprains have the least amount of swelling, whereas Grade 3 sprains trigger the most. This can improve with light stretching. AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. Its rare to need surgery for a sprained wrist. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a person does not typically need to undergo surgery for a wrist sprain. Ligaments of the wrist are injured with a sprained wrist. Anyone who experiences thumb pain, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days should see a . A mild wrist sprain will start feeling better 24 to 48 hours after you start treatment. Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program. [4] For the most benefit, alternate heat and ice on your wrists. Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. You can usually treat a sprained wrist at home with rest, ice, compression and over-the-counter medicine. Ask your provider when you can resume physical activities or playing sports. Sprains of the wrist are fairly rare in everyday life and in the workplace. A fall, a sudden movement, or twisting could cause either injury. The most common example of this is an occult fracture of the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist. However, there are some steps a person can take to reduce their risk of injury. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend using the RICE method. Ask your provider how often you should wear a brace or splint, and how long youll need to wear it. Kimball, H. (2015). This is risky because it allows you to use your wrist when you should be resting it, potentially making the injury worse. This makes the joint and ligaments show up more clearly on an imaging study. Your body needs time to heal. Learn how we can help A sprained wrist is often swollen and painful, especially with motion. This occurs when the wrist is bent or twisted forcefully, such as caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. A sprained wrist is usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion. Cool down and stretch after physical activity. Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. Surgery involves reconnecting the ligament to the bone or using a tendon graft to reconstruct the injured ligament. Dont rush your recovery. Wrist Sprain., www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/wrist-sprain-a-to-z, Sprained Wrist Treatment, Symptoms & Prevention.. Dr. Tyser: I would and I think that's a good summary of the recommendations. The pain switches from burning to throbbing to numb in not only my wrist but also my pinky and thumb.