Wrist Injury

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A wrist injury is a condition in which the tissues of the wrist joint are damaged. Two types of injuries that can happen to your wrist are sprains and strains. The wrist joint is the area where the bones of your forearm meet the bones of your hand. Your wrist is made up of tissues such as muscle, nerves, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Nerves in your wrist send and receive messages from your brain, helping you feel and move your wrist. Tendons are cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are strong bands of elastic tissue that connect bones to other bones. Ligaments and tendons allow your wrist to move easily and remain stable.
  
  
• Damage to the tendons or ligaments in your wrist can cause pain and problems moving your wrist. A sprained wrist is when ligaments in your wrist are stretched or torn. A strained wrist is when a tendon or the muscle connected to a tendon in your wrist is stretched or overused. With a wrist injury, you may have pain, tenderness, weakness, swelling, or bruising of your wrist. It may be hard for you to move your wrist.
  
  
• Sprains are often caused by an accident, such as falling and landing onto the palm of your hand. Strained wrists are often caused by using the wrist too much for repetitive, forceful movements, such as during gymnastics. You may need an x-ray, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to diagnose your wrist injury. Treatments may include rest, medicine to decrease your pain and swelling, and physical therapy. You may need wrist support using a cast or splint to decrease your wrist movement while it heals. You may need surgery if other treatments do not improve your symptoms. Having your wrist injury treated may decrease your pain and other symptoms. Treatment may allow you to return to your daily activities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him about any medicine allergies, and if you want to quit taking or change your medicine.
  
  
• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine may decrease swelling and pain or fever. This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.
  
  
  • Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.
    
    
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Caring for your wrist while it is in a wrist support:

Protecting your wrist with a splint or cast may help to rest your wrist until it heals. Ask your caregiver how to care for your wrist while in a splint or cast. Follow your caregiver’s instructions on how to bathe while wearing a splint or cast.

Rest:

You may need to rest your wrist and avoid activities that cause you pain. Ask your caregiver what activities you should avoid, and for how long.

Ice:

Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small), which helps decrease swelling and pain. Ice may also help prevent tissue damage in your wrist. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Put the ice pack on your wrist for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Use the ice for as long as your caregiver says you should. Do not sleep with the ice pack on, because you can get frostbite.

Compression:

Your caregiver may suggest wrapping an elastic bandage around your wrist. A wrist wrap will compress (put pressure on) your wrist to help decrease swelling. Compression also helps support your wrist, and allows it to heal. Wear your wrist wrap for as long as your caregiver tells you to. Ask your caregiver for instructions about how to wrap your wrist.

Elevate your wrist:

When sitting or lying down, keep your wrist at, or above the level of your heart. Elevating your wrist may help decrease pain and swelling.

Physical therapy:

Your caregiver may recommend that you go to physical therapy. A physical therapist shows you how to do exercises that can help to strengthen your wrist and improve its range of movement. These exercises may also help decrease your pain.

Preventing another wrist injury:

• Exercise as directed: Your caregiver may suggest that you do certain exercises to strengthen your hand and arm muscles. Ask your caregiver when you may return to your regular physical activities or sports. Starting exercise too soon may cause you to injure your wrist again.
  
  
• Protect your wrists: Wrist guard splints or protective tape can help to support your wrist during exercise and sports. These devices may also keep your wrist from bending too far back. Ask your caregiver for more information about the type of wrist support that you should use.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The bruising or swelling in your wrist is getting worse.
  
  
• Your pain is getting worse.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have questions about your wrist injury or treatment.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The skin on, or near your wrist or hand feels cold, or turns blue or white.
  
  
• The skin on, or near your wrist or hand is very tight, raised, and swollen.
  
  
• You have new trouble moving and using your hands, fingers, or wrist.
  
  
• Your wrist, hands, or fingers become swollen, red, numb, or they tingle.
  
  
• Your wrist has any open wounds, including from surgery, that are red, swollen, warm, or have pus coming out of them.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Wrist Injury (Aftercare Instructions)