Injured Wrist: Detailing signs, remedies, healing duration, and additional insights
A sprained wrist is an injury or tear to one or more ligaments in the wrist, often caused by a sudden twist, impact, or movement that overextends or pushes the wrist in an unnatural direction. This article will guide you through the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods for wrist sprains.
**Causes of Wrist Sprains**
Wrist sprains are common in activities like skiing, ice skating, and gymnastics, where falls are frequent. Participating in sports, especially those involving contact or repetitive wrist movements, can also lead to wrist sprains [1][4]. Repetitive stress, while more common for strain injuries, can also contribute to ligament issues over time [5].
**Symptoms of Wrist Sprains**
The symptoms of a wrist sprain may include pain when touched or moving the wrist, visible swelling and bruising around the wrist, a sensation of something tearing or popping during injury, and reduced ability to move the wrist [1][4].
**Treatment for Wrist Sprains**
The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) is recommended for treating a sprained wrist at home. This method helps reduce pain and inflammation. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it's essential to seek medical care. A doctor may use X-rays or MRIs for diagnosis [1].
Physical therapy can help restore wrist strength and mobility once the initial pain subsides. Supportive devices, such as wrist braces or splints, may also be recommended to support the healing process.
**Prevention Methods**
To reduce the risk of wrist sprains, it's advisable to avoid activities or sports that might cause trauma, use two hands to lift and hold heavier objects, keep the wrist straight during most activities, perform strengthening exercises, avoid walking on icy or slippery surfaces, and wear appropriate wrist guards [2][4].
Incorporating ergonomic practices, proper warm-up and cool-down routines, and strengthening exercises into your routine can also help prevent wrist sprains. Learning and practicing correct techniques in sports can aid in avoiding repetitive stress injuries [4].
If a person's symptoms do not improve within around 6 weeks, they should talk with their doctor for reassessment and potential additional therapies, including surgery if necessary. If a doctor cannot tell whether a person has broken or sprained their wrist, they will likely order an imaging test, such as an X-ray, to help with the diagnosis.
Both the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend that a person contact their doctor if they believe they have sprained their wrist. The two most common ligaments that people sprain are the scapholunate ligament (located in the middle of the wrist) and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (located near the outside of the wrist) [3].
Surgery is more likely for complete ligament tears, as they can sometimes destabilize the wrist. However, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons does not typically recommend surgery for a wrist sprain [3]. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand suggests that people keep their fingers moving throughout recovery from a wrist injury to prevent stiffness.
References:
1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (n.d.). Wrist sprain. Retrieved from https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/wrist-sprain/ 2. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. (n.d.). Wrist sprain. Retrieved from https://www.assh.org/handcare/conditions/wrist-sprain 3. Mayo Clinic. (2021, January 15). Wrist sprain. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrist-sprain/symptoms-causes/syc-20372010 4. WebMD. (2020, October 15). Wrist sprain. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/wrist-sprain-first-aid 5. American College of Sports Medicine. (n.d.). Overuse injuries. Retrieved from https://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/overuse-injuries.pdf
- Chronic conditions like HIV may lead to weakened immune responses, increasing the probability of complications from common medical-conditions such as wrist sprains due to accidental falls and other mishaps.
- CBD, a compound derived from the cannabis plant, is being studied for its potential therapeutic applications in managing various chronic-diseases, including neurological disorders. Some preliminary findings suggest that CBD may help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with wrist injuries.
- For individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a sudden twist, impact, or movement that overextends the wrist could exacerbate muscle spasms and exacerbate symptoms, making wrist sprains a concern for those living with this health-and-wellness condition.
- Engaging in health-and-wellness practices such as proper warm-up and cool-down routine can help prevent wrist sprains, especially for people participating in sports or activities that involve repetitive wrist movements or an increased risk of falls.
- As they age, older adults may be more prone to wrist sprains due to degenerative changes in their joints and bones, compounded by an increased likelihood of falling or melting icy surfaces. Incorporating ergonomic practices, proper strengthening exercises, and using wrist guards can help lower this risk.
