A wrist sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the wrist stretch beyond their limits or tear. This occurs when the wrist is bent or twisted forcefully, such as caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. Wrist sprains are common injuries.
- What is the best thing to do for a sprained wrist?
- What to do if I think I've sprained my wrist?
- How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?
- What does a slightly sprained wrist feel like?
- Can a sprained wrist get worse?
- What happens if a sprained wrist goes untreated?
- How long does a mild sprained wrist last?
- How do I know if I have strained my wrist?
- Will a sprained wrist heal on its own?
- Do I need to go to doctor for sprained wrist?
What is the best thing to do for a sprained wrist?
- Rest. Try not use your wrist for at least 48 hours. - Ice. Apply ice immediately after the injury to keep the swelling down. ... - Compression. Wear an elastic compression bandage to reduce swelling. - Elevation. As often as possible, rest with your wrist raised up higher than your heart.
What to do if I think I've sprained my wrist?
- Rest your wrist for at least 48 hours. - Ice your wrist to reduce pain and swelling. ... - Compress the wrist with a bandage. - Elevate your wrist above your heart, on a pillow or the back of a chair. ... - Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. ... - Use a cast or splint to keep your wrist immobile.
How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?
Wrist sprains usually take from 2 to 10 weeks to heal, but some take longer. Usually, the more pain you have, the more severe your wrist sprain is and the longer it will take to heal. You can heal faster and regain strength in your wrist with good home treatment.
Wrist Ligament Sprain - Mayo Clinic
What does a slightly sprained wrist feel like?
Signs and Symptoms A sprained wrist is often swollen and painful, especially with motion. There may be bruising. Pain and swelling can develop over several days and may last anywhere from a few days to six weeks.
Can a sprained wrist get worse?
The injury can also become long-term (chronic). This can cause ongoing pain, weakness, or instability of the wrist. Over time, arthritis may develop in the wrist. This can worsen pain and cause stiffness and limited movement of the wrist and hand.
What happens if a sprained wrist goes untreated?
Chronic wrist sprains from poorly treated ligament injuries in the past can lead to weakening of the bones and ligaments in the wrist. If not treated, this can lead to arthritis.
Wrist Sprain
How long does a mild sprained wrist last?
A mild wrist sprain will start feeling better 24 to 48 hours after you start treatment. It will fully heal in 1 or 2 weeks. If you have a moderate or severe injury, recovery might last 6 to 8 weeks. You'll need to wear splint for most of this time.
How do I know if I have strained my wrist?
- Pain. - Swelling. - Tenderness and warmth around the injury. - Feeling a popping or tearing in the wrist. - Bruising. - Loss of motion. - Weakness.
Exercises To Restore Full Mobility To A Sprained Wrist
Will a sprained wrist heal on its own?
While wrist sprains may be painful, they are often easy to treat. Most of the time, a sprained wrist will heal on its own. There are a few ways to alleviate the pain of a wrist sprain and speed the healing process. Rest your wrist for a couple of days, icing it for 20-30 minutes every few hours.
Do I need to go to doctor for sprained wrist?
If pain and swelling persist for more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor. Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a wrist splint for 1 or more weeks. This immobilization may cause some stiffness in your wrist and your doctor may recommend some stretching exercises to help you regain full mobility.