The joints located in your wrists are connected by ligaments, all of which work to keep it linked to your bones to help you function normally. As sturdy as these are made to be, as you go through your routine, it’s possible to experience problems that can lead to a sprained or broken wrist.
In unfortunate cases involving performing activities that are way past your breaking point, your wrists can end up becoming injured. While a torn ligament causes a sprain, a broken wrist will require medical help from a wrist doctor.
Keep reading below to find out the things you need to know when dealing with an injured wrist.
Reasons Behind an Injured Wrist
There are many causes behind a sprained or broken wrist, and it can vary depending on how significant the incident was that led to your wrist complications. For example, you can fracture your wrist from experiencing a fall that can accidentally twist or bend your wrists.
The cause of your accident will determine how badly your ligaments were affected. Usually, people who undergo strenuous activities and sports-related feats break or sprain their wrists. Athletes who are into basketball, baseball, and gymnastics are more likely to experience a sprained wrist. Meanwhile, those who play football, ride horses, or snowboard are more prone to breaking their wrists.
Kinds of Wrist Sprains
The severity of sprained or broken wrists can be categorized under grades to determine how badly you’ve been hurt.
A grade 1 sprain involves minimal issues concerning outstretched ligaments—but not to the point of tearing, whereas grade 2 sprains include moderate ligament damages. Meanwhile, grade 3 sprains are considered the most severe type of sprain, as these are where a person’s ligaments have been completely torn or detached from the bone. A grade 3 sprain will usually require a hand surgeon’s immediate help to remedy.
Kinds of Wrist Breaks
When you try to stop an object from falling, but the impact is too much for your wrist to take, the situation can cause your wrist to break. This is the most typical cause behind a broken wrist and is called a distal radius fracture.
Besides that, other wrist breaks include a scaphoid fracture, which implicates your scaphoid carpal bone, a Chauffer’s fracture, which involves your radius bone, and an ulnar styloid fracture, which happens to your ulnar region.
Signs of a Sprained or Broken Wrist
A sprain is often indicated by inflammation, bruising, and warmth on the affected area around your wrist. It can also be determined by experiencing tenderness or a tearing or popping sensation in your wrist.
Meanwhile, a broken wrist is usually more painful, especially when you try to perform any kind of movement with it. Sometimes, your broken wrist can become deformed or bent, along with witnessing noticeable swelling and bruises. You will require a hand doctor’s immediate treatment following a fractured wrist.
How to Treat a Sprained Wrist
After consulting with a hand specialist regarding your wrist sprain, treatment can depend on the severity of the case. Minimal sprains will only require appropriate rest, the application of ice packs or elastic compression bandages, and taking of painkillers to ensure a fast recovery.
Besides that, moderate sprains will also need a splint to support your wrist for at least a week. Severe sprains are more dangerous and will expect you to undergo wrist surgery to guarantee total recovery.
How to Treat a Broken Wrist
If your wrist is broken and your doctor has ruled out your condition, your treatment can involve a splint or a cast to avoid moving your fractured wrist and making your situation worse. If there is apparent pain, you can drink prescribed medication as needed.
Undergoing hand therapy can also help eliminate your wrist’s stiffness and revert it to its normal condition and movements before your injury. Other than that, surgery is the most feasible solution to ensuring your broken wrist can heal correctly.
Conclusion
Your sprained or broken wrist shouldn’t be taken lightly and, instead, should be assessed by an orthopedic hand specialist right away. Knowing the cause behind your injury can lessen the chances of making it worse and improving its healing process. Relying on a professional can help treat your wrist accordingly and allow you to go back to your daily routine.
Are you looking for hand pain treatment in Jacksonville, FL, to help diagnose your injured wrist properly? North Florida Hand And Wrist is made up of a team of wrist surgeons dedicated to giving the best care to people in need. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!
