Have you ever fallen and hit your wrist hard? Or maybe you were playing or doing something else and suddenly felt like your wrist was sprained? Maybe there was some swelling and pain. Many people have experienced this. So today we are going to talk about sprained wrists, or as doctors call them , sprained wrists . Don't worry, this is usually something that can be treated with simple treatments.
What does it mean to sprain your wrist?
Simply put, a sprain is an injury to the ligaments in our body. Now you might be wondering what these ligaments are. Ligaments are like strong, stretchy bands that hold our bones together and help keep our joints in place. They are very flexible and strong.
Did you know that there are 8 small bones in our wrist alone, and there are about 20 ligaments holding them together! So, a wrist sprain is when, for some reason, one or more of these ligaments in your wrist are stretched beyond their limits and damaged? The most common ligament that can become sprained is the scapholunate ligament , which connects the scaphoid and lunate bones in our wrist.
Most wrist sprains are minor injuries. They're just a slight strain on the ligaments. But sometimes, these ligaments can tear. Then it's a little more severe.
A sprain is usually painful. You may find it difficult to move or use your injured wrist. However, most wrist sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
However, if the wrist pain and other symptoms do not subside after a few days of home treatment, you should definitely see a doctor, right?
What are the symptoms of a sprained wrist?
If you have a sprained wrist, you may have one or more of these symptoms:
- Wrist pain: This is the main one. The pain may increase when you move your hand or lift something.
- Swelling: You may notice swelling at the site of the injury.
- Bruising or discoloration: Sometimes it can look like a bruise, turning blue or purple.
- Difficulty moving the wrist: It feels difficult to move, bend, or straighten the arm.
What are the causes of wrist sprains?
A sprain can occur if the ligaments in the wrist are pulled or twisted beyond their limits. The most common causes are:
- Falls: Especially when we try to save ourselves by putting our arms outstretched and reaching for the ground as we fall. Imagine, you slip on the road and suddenly your arm hits the ground, and all the weight comes to your wrist, right? At a time like that, you can easily sprain it.
- Sports accidents: It can happen while catching a ball while playing cricket, playing volleyball, playing netball, or even while exercising at the gym.
- Accidents: Wrist injuries can also occur in things like car accidents.
These are the most common causes. However, very rarely, certain medical conditions can also cause stress on the ligaments in the wrist, causing a sprain. For example:
- Some infections .
- Inflammatory joint conditions like rheumatoid arthritis .
- Psoriatic arthritis .
Can a wrist sprain cause complications?
Most of the time, a simple sprain does not cause major complications. However, when the wrist is sprained, other injuries can occur at the same time. These are considered the main complications.
- Bone fractures: Sometimes a bone in the wrist can break or fracture along with a sprain. This is especially true for wrist fractures called `Colles fractures` and `Smith fractures`.
- Muscle strains or sprains.
- Tendon injuries.
- Nerve damage.
That's why it's recommended to see a doctor if the pain doesn't subside in a few days. Then they can check for other damage like this.
How does a doctor know for sure that this is a sprain?
When you go to see a doctor, he or she will first examine your wrist (physical exam) . They will ask you about your symptoms. You will need to tell the doctor exactly what you were doing before your wrist started hurting, how it started hurting, etc.
The doctor will then ask you to move your wrist back and forth, bend it, and stretch it. This is called checking your range of motion . Tell the doctor if it hurts and where it hurts the most.
What kind of tests are done?
Often, your doctor will order an X-ray of your injured wrist. This can help determine the extent of damage to the ligaments in your wrist, as well as any damage, fractures, or breaks to the bones.
Sometimes, especially if the injury is thought to be severe, your doctor may order an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT scan (Computed Tomography scan) . These can more clearly show damage to soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
What is the "Terry Thomas sign"?
This is a bit of a strange name, isn't it? In some types of wrist sprains, a small gap forms between two bones in the wrist. That's why it's called the "Terry Thomas sign." There used to be a British comedian named Terry Thomas. He had a small gap between his two upper teeth. That's why this gap in the wrist is named after him. Since most people don't know Terry Thomas these days, doctors sometimes call it the "David Letterman sign" or the "Madonna sign." This is something that doctors use to diagnose diseases.
What can be done to treat a sprained wrist?
In most cases, you can treat a sprained wrist at home. The most important thing is to stop doing activities that put extra stress on the wrist, such as sports or activities that involve a lot of physical activity. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and diclofenac) or acetaminophen (paracetamol) can help reduce pain and swelling. But remember, it's best to check with your doctor before taking pain relievers for more than 10 days.
It's very important to follow the RICE method as soon as you start to feel pain or other symptoms. Let's see what RICE is?
- R (Rest): Stop doing whatever activity you were doing that injured you. Don't put too much weight on your wrist until it heals.
- I (Ice) - Apply ice: Wrap some ice cubes, an ice pack from the freezer, or an ice pack in a thin towel and apply it to the injured wrist for about 15 minutes. Do this several times a day. Do not apply the ice directly to the skin, as it can burn the skin.
- C (Compression): You can wrap your wrist with an elastic bandage to help reduce swelling. But remember, don't wrap it so tightly that it becomes tight, painful, or reduces blood flow to your hand and fingers.
- E (Elevation) - Elevation: Try to keep your wrist and hand above the level of your heart whenever possible. You can keep a pillow on top.
Important: If your symptoms do not improve after a few days of starting these home treatments, be sure to see a doctor.
Your doctor may tell you to wear a brace or splint on your injured wrist. This is called immobilization . It helps keep your wrist in a neutral position until it heals. Your doctor will tell you how long you should wear it for.
Does a wrist sprain require surgery?
It is very rare for a wrist sprain to require surgery. However, if you sprain your wrist in a fall or accident and have other serious injuries (e.g., a broken bone, torn tendon), surgery may be necessary to repair the damage.
If surgery is required, it may be done using a minimally invasive technique called arthroscopy . This means that the surgeon makes a very small incision in your wrist and inserts a small camera (arthroscope) through it to look at the bones and ligaments. Then, using very fine instruments, the surgeon repairs the wrist joint and damaged ligaments.
However, if the damage is very severe, open surgery may be necessary. In this case, the surgeon makes an incision in the back of the wrist, sets the bones, and repairs the damaged ligaments.
How long does it take for a sprained wrist to heal?
It usually takes a few weeks for a sprained wrist to fully heal. However, once you start treatment, symptoms such as pain and swelling should gradually begin to decrease. To heal quickly, it is important to rest and take the treatment exactly as your doctor recommends.
Can wrist sprains be prevented?
If you take care of certain things, you can largely prevent wrist sprains.
Whether playing sports or other physical activities:
- Warm up well before starting to play or exercise.
- Wear proper protective equipment for the sport. For example, some sports use wrist guards.
- When your wrist hurts, don't " play through the pain ." If it hurts, stop and rest.
- Give your body time to rest and recover after strenuous activity.
- Cool down and stretch after activities.
For general safety, remember these things:
- Keep your home and workplace clean and free of items that could slip and fall.
- Always use proper tools or equipment to reach things that are high up. Never climb on chairs, tables, or counters. Use something like a small ladder.
- If you have difficulty walking or are at high risk of falling, use a cane or walker .
What to expect if you have a sprained wrist?
You can expect a full recovery after a wrist sprain. Most sprains are temporary injuries. Once the ligaments heal, you should be able to return to all your normal activities.
However, be sure to talk to your doctor before resuming physical activities like sports. If you put weight on your wrist again before it has fully healed, you may increase your risk of re-injury and complications and other injuries.
When should I see a doctor?
If you fall or get injured in any other way and your wrist hurts, see a doctor, especially if the symptoms don't improve after a few days.
If you have a serious accident or think you have a broken bone, go to an emergency room immediately.
What questions should you ask the doctor?
When you go to see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:
- Do I have a sprain or other injury?
- What kind of treatment do I need?
- Will I have to immobilize my wrist? For how long?
- Will I need surgery?
- When can I start physical activities like sports again?
Take-Home Message
A wrist sprain is a very common injury among us. But a sprain is a distressing and painful experience. If you have injured your wrist, whether from a fall or while playing, and are experiencing pain and swelling, see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can then diagnose your injury and provide treatment so that you can return to your normal activities as soon as possible.
Remember, don't rush your recovery. Your body needs time to heal.
Don't start playing sports until your doctor tells you to. It may be a little disconcerting to not be able to play or practice for a few weeks. However, being patient until you are fully recovered will help prevent further problems in the future. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
` Wrist, Sprain, Hand Pain, Ligament, RICE Treatment, Wrist Pain, Sports Injuries
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