What is a wrist sprain?
Wrist sprains are a general term used to describe any injury to the wrist that doesn’t include a fracture. While this may indicate that they are not serious injuries, wrist sprains can be complicated and require guidance and treatment in order to recover fully.
The wrist refers to the area where the bones of the forearm, the radius and ulna, meet and join the bones of the hand. The wrist is able to twist on itself and allows the hand to move to face palm up (supination) or palm down (pronation). The hand is also able to move up and down (flexion/extension) and side to side (abduction/adduction). To allow such complicated movements, the joint surfaces of the wrist are held together by a series of ligaments. When a wrist is sprained, it is usually these ligaments that have been damaged.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of a wrist sprain is pain with movement of the joint or when taking load, such as when holding a heavy object.
In all ligament injuries a grading scale is utilized to indicate their severity, which can help to guide treatment. Grade I tears refers to a stretching or laxity of the ligament fibers (usually heal with rest within 2-3 weeks). A grade II classification signifies that there has been a partial tear of the ligament fibers and will often need more time and treatment for recovery. Grade III tears refer to a full thickness rupture of a ligament and may require splinting or even surgery.
Ligament injuries can occur gradually through over use, however, the most common cause of a wrist sprain is a fall onto an outstretched hand.
What is the treatment?
Your physiotherapist is able to help diagnosis a wrist sprain and can help to rule out a fracture. An X-ray might be required and your physiotherapist will perform special tests to help identify exactly which structure has been injured, giving the injury a grade, to help guide treatment.
How can physio help?
The key to effective recovery for a wrist sprain is often in ensuring that the right treatment protocols are in place for your injury. Grade I sprains will recover best with gentle exercises and early strengthening while Grade II to III injuries may require splinting or even a surgical consult for repair.
If surgery is the right course for you, your physiotherapist is able to guide you through this treatment pathway, helping you to prepare and recover from surgery to get the best outcome possible.
None of the information in this newsletter is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.