A wrist sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the wrist. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other. Repetitive motion can also lead to these types of injuries.
These factors increase your chance of developing a wrist sprain. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to a wrist sprain. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
It can be hard to tell the difference between a wrist sprain and a fracture or dislocation of one of the small wrist bones. See a doctor if there is any obvious deformity, swelling, or inability to move the wrist or hand.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how you injured your wrist. The doctor will examine your wrist to check the stability of the joint and the severity of the injury.
Tests may include:
Wrist sprains are graded according to their severity:
Treatment includes :
The following medicines may help reduce inflammation and pain:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org
/
American College of Sports Medicine
http://www.acsm.orged.org
/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org/
References:
Frontera WR, Silver JK, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation .1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley and Belfus; 2002.
Parmelee-Peters K, Eathorne SW. The wrist: common injuries and management. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice . 2006 March 32(1).
Renström P; IOC Medical Commission, International Federation of Sports Medicine. Sports Injuries: Basic Principles of Prevention and Care . Boston, MA: Blackwell Scientific Publications; 1993.
Sprains and strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp . Published May 2004. Accessed July 10, 2008.
Wrist injury. eMedicine Consumer Journal . 2001 Feb 7.
Wrist sprains. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00023 . Updated October 2007. Accessed July 10, 2008.
Last reviewed November 2008 by John C. Keel, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.