Wrist sprain

Wrists sprains are a common injury and are often caused by sporting activities or everyday falls. Wrist sprains often occur when the hand is held out to break or cushion a fall and the wrist is bent back upon impact with the ground. In sports such as skiing, snowboarding, or football, sprains are a common injury.

When a sprain occurs, the wrist usually swells up and is rather painful, especially when moved.

If a sprain is suspected, your hand doctor will start off by examining your wrist to see how well it moves, where it hurts, and whether it is stable. To see if there are any fractured bones and how they are positioned, X-rays are usually taken. Additionally, an MRI may be taken to confirm the hand surgeon’s diagnosis.

If the wrist is sprained, you will likely have a splint or cast placed around it to prevent movement. However, surgery may be a possibility as well. The surgery can be performed in a traditional, open, or arthroscopic manner.

If arthroscopic surgery is performed, several small cuts the size of a grain of rice will be made around the wrist and a tiny camera will be inserted through them to examine the bones and ligaments and possibly treat them.

If arthroscopic surgery isn’t an option, open surgery may be needed to repair the injured ligament. Surgery is used if the bones need to be held in place by metal pins, screws, or plates, after which a splint or cast is placed on the wrist to prevent movement that could cause further injury. The splint or cast is usually worn for six to twelve weeks after surgery.

If the injury is an old one that happened several months or years ago, it is referred to as a chronic injury. If the cartilage has been damaged and has become arthritic, the symptoms will be much the same as a sprain, and there will be swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Ways to better repair and correct wrist sprains, and the ligaments and other parts of the wrist involved, are constantly being researched.