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Wrist Sprains
Delivering Compassionate Care
A sprain is a partial injury to a ligament. Ligaments form the connections between the different bones in the wrist . Ligament sprains range from mild stretches to partial tears.
There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained.
Two of the common ones are the scapholunate ligament, in the middle of the wrist between the scaphoid and lunate bones, and the TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) on the outside of the wrist. Sometimes, wrist sprains can pull off a tiny piece of bone. This is called an avulsion fracture
Causes of of Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains are caused most often by a fall onto an outstretched hand. This might happen during everyday activities, but frequently occurs during sports and outdoor recreation.
Even a wrist injury that seems mild with minimal swelling could still involve a torn ligament and require surgery to avoid long-term problems.
Similarly, an unrecognized (occult) fracture can be mistaken for a mild or moderate sprain. 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.
The most common example of this is an occult fracture of the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist.
Home care treatment of wrist sprains
Mild wrist sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol:
Rest. Try not use your wrist for at least 48 hours.
Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly on the skin.
Compression. Wear an elastic compression bandage to reduce swelling.
Elevation. As often as possible, rest with your wrist raised up higher than your heart.
Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling. If pain and swelling persist for more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor.
Diagnosing Wrist Sprains
Your doctor will examine your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. X-rays are often taken. The purpose of the exam and X-rays is to make sure there are no broken bones, dislocated joints, or signs of a full ligament tear .
In some cases, if a wrist sprain does not improve after a period of waiting, your doctor may order additional imaging to see if there are injuries that cannot be seen on X-ray or during a physical exam.
You might also need :
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
- Arthrogram, a special type of X-ray or MRI done after a dye is injected into the wrist
- Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery in which a tiny camera is inserted into the wrist
You are in Great Hands
Treatment of Wrist Sprains
Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a wrist splint for one week or more. Because immobilization may cause some stiffness in your wrist, your doctor may recommend some stretching exercises to help you regain full mobility.
Severe sprains may require surgery to repair the fully torn ligament. Surgery involves reconnecting the ligament to the bone or using a tendon graft to reconstruct the injured ligament.
Surgery is followed by a period of rehabilitation that includes exercises to strengthen your wrist and restore range of motion.
Although the ligament usually heals in 8 to 12 weeks, it can take from 6 to 12 months for a full recovery.
The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain.
Because wrist sprains usually result from a fall, be careful when walking in wet or slippery conditions.
Wrist sprains also occur during sports, such as skating, skateboarding, and skiing.
Wearing wrist guards or protective tape when participating in these activities will help support your wrist and can prevent it from bending too far backward if you fall.
