WRIST SPRAINS

What Is A Wrist Sprain?    A sprain is an injury to a joint that causes a stretch or tear in a ligament.  A ligament is a strong band of tissue connecting one bone to another.  Your wrist is made up of eight bones that are attached to your hand bones and the bones of your forearm.  The wrist joint is covered by a joint capsule and the bones are connected by ligaments.

How Does A Wrist Sprain Occur?    A wrist sprain can happen when you fall on your wrist or hand, when you are struck by an object, or during a forced motion of the wrist.

What Are The Symptoms?    Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and decreased range of motion.

How Is It Treated?   
*    putting ice packs on your wrist for 20-30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 or 3 days or until the pain goes away    
*    elevating your wrist on the back of a chair or couch while sitting or on a pillow while sleeping
*    taking anti-inflammatory or other pain medication prescribed by a physician
*    wearing a splint or cast on your wrist to prevent further injury
*    doing exercises to help your wrist recover

When Can You Return To Your Sport Or Activity?    You man return to your sport or activity when the injured wrist has full range of motion without pain.  Your doctor may allow you to return to competition with your wrist taped or in a brace.  Your injured wrist, hand, and forearm need to have the same strength as the uninjured side.  You must not have any pain when doing activities such as swinging a bat or a racquet or performing tumbling in gymnastics or cheerleading.

Ask your athletic trainer or physician about which exercises will help rehabilitate your wrist.

The Sports Medicine Patient Advisor
Pierre Rouzier, M.D.
Wrist Sprains:    page 274