How To Treat A Wrist Sprain
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How to Treat a Wrist Sprain
A wrist sprain is a very common injury that can occur with a simple fall. The ligaments
that support the wrist become overstretched when one falls on an outstretched hand. A
wrist sprain can also occur when the wrist is struck or twisted.
How to treat a wrist sprain
Symptoms of a Wrist Sprain
When one suffers from a wrist sprain, the wrist can demonstrate with localized swelling and wrist pain. The swelling may travel to the digits as well. The wrist may feel warm to the touch. Bruising can occur and movement of the wrist and digits may be painful.
Conservative Treatment of a Wrist Sprain
Offer in therapy we are asked how to treat a sprained wrist. Wrist sprains, grade I and II, can be treated conservatively with rest. This means trying not to use the affected extremity for 48 hours. Icing the injured extremity for up to 20 minutes every2-4 hours for a couple of days helps with both pain and swelling. Elevating the extremity above the heart also helps to manage the swelling. Anti-inflammatories are helpful for pain management. A splint or a compression bandage can provide extra stability for the joint while recovering from the injury.
Once these symptoms have subsided a gentle progressive strengthening/stretching program may be initiated. If these symptoms persist, further diagnostic testing may be warranted. JOI has several wrist and hand orthopedic doctors who can help you get back on the road to recovery.
Varying Grades of Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains are categorized according to the degree of the overstretched ligaments.
- Grade 1: ligaments are overstretched but not torn. This is considered a mild injury and can usually be treated conservatively.
- Grade 2: ligaments are partially torn. This is considered a moderate injury and splinting or casting may be required to stabilize the joint in addition to other conservative treatments.
- Grade 3: ligaments are completely torn and surgical intervention may be required. These varying grades of sprains are determined by an MD and may warrant diagnostic testing such as x-ray, MRI, and/or arthrogram.
Wrist Tendons and Ligaments
Prevention of Wrist Sprains
One should not rush the recovery of a wrist sprain. Resuming a normal routine should not occur until one no longer has pain at rest and when the affected wrist feels as strong as the unaffected wrist. Wrist sprains are difficult to prevent secondary to these injuries usually occur with a sudden onset of a trauma, whether it be a fall, struck by a ball, or twisted by a bat or a racket.
Wearing a wrist support or use of kinesio tape can provide the continued stability if needed. Continuation of a strengthening/stretching program may provide continued benefits as well. To learn more about the wrist, please go to this article: https://www.joionline.net/library/show/top-5-wrist-exercises/
Stretching and Strengthening for Wrist Sprains
Stretches of the Wrist:
Hold the injured arm shoulder height straight out in front of your body with your palm
facing the floor. Take the uninjured arm and gently push the wrist toward your body so your
fingers are pointing to the ceiling and hold for 15-30 seconds, slowly release and then gently
push wrist down so fingers are facing the floor. Hold for 15-30 seconds. Repeat 3 repetitions.
Elbow at your side at a 90* angle, palm facing up hold for 15-30 seconds and then gently turn
palm down and hold 15-30 seconds. Repeat 3 repetitions.
Wrist over tabletop or over knee, thumb facing toward ceiling, move wrist toward your body and
hold 15-30 seconds. Then gently transition so thumb is moving away from your body. Hold
15-30 seconds. Repeat 3 reps.
Strengthening of the Wrist:
Wrist Flexion: Wrist is palm up and either over tabletop or over knee, raise weight toward body
and then slowly lower. Repeat 15 times, 2 sets. Gradually increase weight to improve strength.
Wrist Flexion with Weight
Wrist Extension: Wrist is palm down and either over a tabletop or over knee, lower weight away from body and
then slowly raise. Repeat 15 times, 2 sets. Gradually increase weight to improve strength.
Wrist Extension with Weight
Wrist is over tabletop or over knee with thumb positioned toward ceiling. Gently raise thumb
toward body and then lower weight toward small finger. Repeat 15 times, 2 sets. Gradually
increase weight to improve strength.
Elbow at side in a 90* angle, hold handle of hammer and gently turn palm up and palm down.
Repeat 15 times, 2 sets. Gradually move hand to far end of hammer handle to increase
strength.
Squeeze thera-putty or hand exerciser to improve grip strength.
Book an Appointment with The Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute Today!
JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.
You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.
To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.