All Rights Reserved. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Symptoms of a wrist sprain vary depending on the extent and the location of the sprain. You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. Ligament sprains range from mild stretches to partial tears. A person should also wear a splint to help immobilize the joint. How to Treat a Sprained Wrist Dr. Miller: If you've fallen on your wrist and you think it may just be a strain, is there anything you should be doing between the time you decide that you need to see the doctor? During surgery, the hand surgeon will reconnect the ligament. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question and I think I would typically do the normal things that we recommend for many relatively minor injuries to the wrist, that is ice, elevation, resting it, and observing it and keeping a close eye on it. Two weeks ago I had a cycling accident to which I fell off and knocked my on hand hard on the ground. A thumb may become sprained when the joint is stressed or overextended. It may be difficult, but the best thing to do is rest and give your body the chance to heal on its own. This is especially true for athletes who do repetitive motions or other activities that strain the wrists. A wrist sprain is often characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness of the wrist joint. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. Dr. Miller: And what if you don't go and have this diagnosed as a fracture? Dr. Tyser: About six weeks. A sprain is typically caused by a traumatic injury to the wrist, such as a fall on an outstretched hand, but can also be caused by repetitive use of the wrist such as seen in athletes who play racket sports or people who place a lot of stress through the wrist joint (boxers, gymnasts, weightlifters). Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? Dr. Tyser: Sometimes it's really obvious. Should you ice and elevate the injury? Dr. Miller: How long before a wrist fracture heals typically? What are the common ways that we get wrist fractures? They can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. originally published: April 3, 2016. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, http://blog.handcare.org/blog/2020/10/12/how-to-know-if-you-have-a-sprained-wrist/, https://www.nebh.org/blog/staying-in-the-game-preventing-common-hand-and-wrist-injuries-in-basketball/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551514/, https://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/ergo/wrist.html, https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/sprained-wrist, https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/wrist-fracture, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/wrist-sprains/, Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Cookie Notice How should i treat my sprained hand/wrist after 6 weeks it is still very painful? Icing and compressing the injured area will reduce swelling. You should see a doctor if your pain started after a fall or other traumatic event, if the joint is hot or swollen, if you have trouble moving the wrist, or if your pain persists after stopping the aggravating activities. All material on this website is protected by copyright. It will fully heal in 1 or 2 weeks. Now it only hurts on the joint/ligament beneath my thumb. ">, DNV GL Public Information Policy Statement. Thank you for your message.It has been sent. Policy. Dr. Miller: If you've fallen on your wrist and you think it may just be a strain, is there anything you should be doing between the time you decide that you need to see the doctor? Learn about sprained fingers, an injury that causes pain in one or more of the fingers. Wrist sprains are common during snowfall or ice storms. Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones. Now, it's probably a 2 on the pain scale. I went to express care and they took x rays of my wrist they said it was sprained and put me in a brace i think it is broke or fractured because it still hurts and i can kinda move my hand in the brace but it still hurts ? I sprained my wrist over a month ago, I have been using a wrist splint but it still hurts extremely bad. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. I saw the doctor the day after I hurt my wrist. It's on the thumb side of the wrist and about an inch or so right before your wrist bends. Your doctor will examine your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. Tenderness in certain areas may also be consistent with a broken bone. A wrist sprain can occur when the ligaments that stabilize the wrist bones become stretched beyond their normal elastic limit. However, if you choose not to seek a diagnosis from a doctor, its important not to underestimate the seriousness of your injury. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that hold your bones together. Healing can often take several weeks, but recovery is usually excellent. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties. My wrist hurts when I put weight on it, particularly when it's bent backwards. A wrist sprain is an injury to the capsule and ligaments surrounding the wrist joint. Your provider will diagnose your injury and suggest treatments thatll get you back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Dont rush your recovery. What you should do instead: Apply ice and elevate your wrist above the level of your heart. You may sprain your wrist if you fall onto an outstretched hand. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. What feels like a sprained wrist could actually be a bone fracture or a torn ligament, both of which should be treated by a medical professional. Whether you get a sprained wrist from playing volleyball or slipping on the ice, the recovery process is the same. What is your thought about that? What is the long term consequence of that? The muscles and tendons will return to normal over a period of several weeks. Treatment for a wrist sprain depends upon the severity of the injury. See a hand specialist? Wrist sprains are common injuries that are usually caused by falls or sports injuries. What should I do if I hurt my wrist golfing, possibly sprained, 3 weeks ago, never treated it or iced it, and it still hurts. Is it swollen? Avoid activities or sports that might cause trauma to the wrist. Copyright 2023 University of Utah Health, For All U of U Health Patients & Visitors, Dr. Andrew Tyser lends his expertise on this episode of The Specialists, and explains what to look out for when it comes to wrist injuries. Sprains are usually painful. Dr. Miller: And there are certain parts of the wrist that become fractured, the back, the front, one of the particular bones. Sprained wrist symptoms. The scapholunate ligament that connects your scaphoid and lunate bones is the most commonly sprained ligament. Prescription pain medications are not usually recommended. A wrist sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the wrist stretch beyond their limits or tear. Sometimes people that are skiing or participating in other sports that take a hard fall unexpectedly have that fracture. There are eight (8) carpal bones in the wrist and these bones are arranged in two rows. A sprain is a partial injury to a ligament. However, it may take six to twelve months for your symptoms to settle completely, these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and decreased strength. Your body needs time to heal. The symptoms associated with a wrist sprain varies from mild pain to severe pain, which worsens whenever the hand is moved. Its named after British comic Terry Thomas because the gap in the wrist bones resembles the gap between Terry Thomas front teeth. For more information, please see our Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. The doctors said it will pass and it isn't broken-just by looking at it. A person may not easily be able to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture, or break. For how long? Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. The doctor may recommend imaging tests to improve diagnosis. It definitely hurts and there will be prolonged pain and swelling. I do also have hypermobility in both of my wrists. Wrist sprains are common injuries. When the cast comes off, it is very common to have significant weakness and stiffness. Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Mild wrist sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol: Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling. A grade III sprain - completely torn or ruptured ligament. But wrist pain also can result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Talk to your provider before resuming physical activities or playing sports. It felt as if my wrist was sprained & was painful for a few days. I can't use the wrist/hand to support weight, like I can't use it to support my weight if I were trying to get up from a sitting position. After evaluating the hand and reviewing symptoms, the doctor will determine if the patients can continue treatment in an urgent care facility or be referred to a hand surgeon or specialist for further treatment. That is, could you ice it? But an accurate diagnosis is essential for proper . Carpal ligament injuries, pathomechanics, and classification. The bones of the wrist are held together by cartilage and ligaments these are dense fibrous connective tissues. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Welcome. The duration of the swelling will depend upon how. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. I think it really depends on the community and also the training of the person taking care of the fracture. It typically hurts when you try to move the wrist, grasp objects (especially heavy objects), or with twisting motions. Hi, I'm Dr. Tom Miller and I'm here with Dr. Andrew Tyser and he is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand care and hand surgery. Simple sprains are 50-70% better in a week or 10 days. Could it be more than a sprain? HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. Many times they're caused by similar mechanisms. But wrist fractures you might go on for awhile with a swollen wrist and use it, not as much as you're used to. With mild injuries, stiffness is normal once the ligament begins to heal. For severe wrist sprain involving a partial or a complete tear of the wrist ligament, an orthopedic surgeon will perform surgery on the wrist. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. When this happens, it is very likely that the hand or wrist bends or twists forcefully. In many cases a sprained wrist is a one-time event, but after you have sustained this type of injury you are at a higher risk for reinjury if you dont take preventive action, potentially leading to chronic wrist sprains. Someone slamed a door on my wrist my wrist went back a little and doctors said its sprained been 2 weeks now still hurts bad and it pops bad? If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy system for home use. Expert Answers: Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. Ligaments form the connections between the different bones in the wrist (Figure 1). The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk for falls. Leant backward on hand holding my son.Clear X-ray day of injury. I sprained my wrist 2 days ago and I took off the bandage today (48 hours later ) it still hurts ? If you are overly concerned, usually your body will tell you if things are getting better or not. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? Redness and warmth are often observed in recently sprained wrists. For non-surgical wrist sprain, recovery usually takes a short time (about 1 to 2 weeks). When a person visits their doctor for wrist pain or a suspected sprain or break, the doctor will likely ask questions to learn more about what happened to cause the pain. The wrist may look like it's not straight. However, there is a fairly significant subset of them do require surgery and in this same sense as far as time goes, it's about a six week recovery also, as far as the bones healing. All rights reserved. If more information is needed, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or arthrogram may also be ordered. Surgery may involve a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy. What should I do if I hurt my wrist golfing, possibly sprained, 3 weeks ago, never treated it or iced it, and it still hurts. Even a small slip or fall onto an outstretched hand can injure your wrist, but just how bad is it? We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Appointments 216.444.2606 Appointments & Locations It hurts, mildly, if I bend it in any direction. Wrist injuries are common and can happen to anyone during everyday activities. After discussing your medical history and general health, your doctor will ask about any previous injuries to your hand or wrist. We look at symptoms, treatment, and how to feel more comfortable during, Wrist pain is a common complaint that can have many causes. There are several different ligaments in the wrist that a person could sprain. sprained wrist typically heal well, with minimal or no long-term symptoms. 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. Treatment without surgery may be appropriate in a predynamic injury, or a mild sprain of the scapholunate ligament without changes on x-rays. The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain. In order to treat a wrist sprain correctly, the doctor must determine the grade or severity of the sprain. A mild wrist sprain can be treated in urgent care facilities using home care treatments. Therapy without wires or standalone electrodes, Home Hand/Wrist 4 Things NOT to Do When You Have a Sprained Wrist. Since most wrist sprains are due to falls, slippery floors, age, muscle weakness, poor eyesight, poorly fitting footwear, trauma, and wrist overuse predispose people to damage the ligament that holds the wrists. Anyone who experiences thumb pain, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days should see a . Pain and swelling can develop over several days and may last anywhere from a few days to six weeks. You can treat most wrist sprains at home with rest, ice and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. If symptoms do not improve after a reasonable period of time, additional imaging may be ordered to look for a more serious injury. Use two hands to lift and hold heavier objects. A sprained wrist is usually treated without surgery. Antetokounmpo mostly refrained from playing . Tell your provider what you were doing right before you injured your wrist and when you first noticed the pain. Kimball, H. (2015). Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. However, the sprain never fully healed. Some patients have reported a popping sound in the wrist. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other forms of arthritis can make wrists tender and swollen. The doctor will perform a physical examination of the hand and the surrounding areas. [4] For the most benefit, alternate heat and ice on your wrists. How long does it take to heal? Is this a sprain? It is very important that the doctor rule out confounding diagnosis since wrist sprain shares similar symptoms with other hand injuries. Immediate pain,couldnt move.4 days later can move but still very painful to touch and bit swollen. Your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis. The most common example of this is an occult fracture of the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes aching, numbness and weakness. Specifically: A grade 3 tear requires medical attention. Or go to the doctor for an X-ray? They will likely examine the persons wrist and have the person perform movement tests to check for pain and mobility issues. severe pain. They may also order other imaging tests if they need more information about the injury. A doctor will need to assess the injury and determine the best treatment options to prevent either more invasive treatment later or permanent damage to the wrist. Get answers from Hand Surgeons and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Most wrist sprains have a positive prognosis. Your healthcare provider will probably use a wrist X-ray to take pictures of your injured wrist ligaments and check for damage to your bones. Mild swelling could be visible and bruising might develop in more severe injuries. How do you know if you have a sprained thumb? 1 doctor answer 2 doctors weighed in Share Dr. Francisco Schwartz-Fernandes answered 27 years experience You need a doctor: I need more details to answer. Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. The wrist is usually bent backwards or into an abnormal position. Get answers from Hand Surgeons and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Get news & offers from Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Prevention. No. Sprains of the wrist are fairly rare in everyday life and in the workplace. How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Wrist Sprain? Many general orthopedic surgeons are more than qualified to take care of the routine, distal radius and other wrist fractures. Similarly, an unrecognized (occult) fracture can be mistaken for a mild or moderate sprain. After surgery, the doctor will advise that the patient undergo physical therapy or rehabilitation. and our Is it just not mobile? For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Obviously for people who have long bone fractures they can't do anything until the fracture is healed. In severe cases, the ligament can be partially or completely torn. Full recovery time usually depends on the severity of the sprain, treatment option, age of the patient, pre-existing conditions, and rehabilitation exercises after treatment. New patients can schedule an appointment online and fill out your patient information to save time. Although the ligament usually heals in 8 to 12 weeks, it can take from 6 to 12 months for a full recovery. In this case, your surgeon will make a cut in the back of your wrist. A jammed finger causes swelling, difficulty moving the finger, and pain. This is true of all orthopedic injuries. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. This may generally be a good idea; however, taking too much medication may cause unwanted side effects and potentially be unsafe. Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Many people choose to take over-the-counter medications to help relieve the pain and swelling caused by a sprained wrist. Dr. Miller: Is the distal radius closer to the thumb or the little finger? When this happens, it is very likely that the hand or wrist bends or twists forcefully. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. Attempt to keep the wrist straight during most activities. If the pain is significant, you could try some over the counter pain . Articular cartilage and ligaments allow the bones of the wrist to slide along each other while in a proper position. When a sprain occurs, a person will likely feel pain and may have symptoms such as swelling or bruising in the affected area. blunt trauma from a fall, hit, or other force, a popping or tearing feeling inside the wrist.