by Anne O'Rourke

Created on: August 22, 2009

Unless you are a Dallas Cowboys receiver, your sprained wrist is unlikely to make any headlines. Still, even an armchair quarterback can sprain his wrist just by using his hand to break a fall so it is helpful to know some basics about the symptoms and treatments of wrist sprains.

Your wrist contains multiple joints that link 15 separate bones connected by bands of fibrous tissue called ligaments. A wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments get stretched or torn.

The main symptoms of wrist sprains are swelling of the injured wrist; pain when moving the wrist; bruising and tenderness; feeling a sensation of popping or tearing inside the wrist; and a warm or feverish feeling to the injured skin.

Wrist sprains have three grades of severity. Grade 1 refers to mild sprains where ligaments are stretched but not torn. Grade 2 are moderate sprains involving some partially torn ligaments. Grade 3 are severe sprains with one or more ligaments being completely torn.

Most wrist sprains are mild and can be treated at home with the traditional RICE formula of rest, ice, compression and elevation:

*Rest your wrist for at least 48 hours. Do not try to resume using your wrist as usual until you feel no pain and it feels as strong as your uninjured wrist.

*Ice the injured wrist to reduce swelling. Avoid skin injuries by not applying ice directly. Use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Ice can be applied for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 days.

*Compress the swelling with an elastic bandage.

*Elevate the injury above the level of your heart on a pillow or the back of a chair for as long as possible.

Take pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen if needed as long as your doctor has not instructed you against their use. See a doctor if pain or swelling lasts more than 48 hours. If you suspect anything more than a mild sprain, it is best to get a medical diagnosis to minimize the risk of chronic disability. Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a splint for 7 or more days. Severe sprains may require surgery and physical therapy with a recovery time of 2 weeks or more.

Prevention is always the best course. Be careful walking on ice or any slippery surface. Use protective sports gear including wrist guards and protective tape. If you ski, train yourself to drop the poles during a fall.

You probably cannot get through life without taking a few falls. Knowing the basic facts about wrist sprains may make it easier to pick yourself up.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, WebMD

Learn more about this author, Anne O'Rourke.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.