Wrist Sprain
What is a wrist sprain?
A wrist sprain is an injury where one or more of the ligaments in the wrist are stretched too far or partially or completely torn. Ligaments are bands of tough fibrous tissue that connect bones and help stabilize joints.
Symptoms
- Swelling, bruising, or discoloration of the wrist
- A popping or tearing feeling within the wrist
- The wrist feels abnormally warm
- Difficulty moving the wrist without pain or beyond a certain point
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you experience any sort of pain and/or notice any swelling in the wrist that follows a fall or trauma.
Prevention
- Practice falling on your forearm and with your elbows tucked rather than on straight, stiff arms or your palms
- Strengthen muscles around the wrist
- Grip Squeezes With a Ball
- Wrist Rotations
- Wrist Flexor Stretch
- Wrist Extensor Stretch
- Prayer Stretch (with pulses)
Recovery
- RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) and NSAIDs can be used to reduce inflammation and manage pain
- Gradually increase movement in the wrist as pain subsides to ensure the ligaments don’t stiffen