Sprained Wrist Management

A lot of people confuse themselves between a sprained wrist and a strained wrist. These two conditions are different from each other in terms of the affected body part but the two resorts in similar management. In order for the two to be distinguished, it is empirical to define the two conditions.

A sprained wrist is the injury to the LIGAMENT of the wrist. The ligament is a tough and fibrous tissue that connects a bone to the other bone.

A strained wrist is the injury to either MUSCLE or TENDON. The tendon is a tough tissue that connects the muscles to the bones.

The two conditions typically occur after a fall. It is a mechanism or reflex of the body to have the hands stretched out in order to catch the body as it is about to fall off the ground. The impact of falling would then be directed to the hands specifically the wrist. The wrist contains muscles, ligaments and tendons. The effect falling would then be reflected on these structures thus resulting to sprain when there is ligament affectation and strain when there is muscle or tendon affectation.

The signs and symptoms of both conditions depend on the impact of the fall, the degree of stretching and the length of tearing of the affected structures. There is a greater risk to gain a worse condition when the wrist structures are inflexible and weak.

When dealing with wrist injury, sprain is commonly experienced than strain because there are a lot of ligament in the wrist. A sprained wrist exhibits the following: pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, warmth and loss of function.

A Sprained wrist is graded based on severity:

GRADE 1: mild; micro ligament tearing; over stretching

GRADE 2: moderate; partial ligament tearing; mild joint instability

GRADE 3: Severe; complete ligament tearing; significant joint instability

The first line treatment of a wrist sprain (just like strain) includes the mnemonic R.I.C.E. which is as follows:

REST- have the injured wrist rest for 2 days. That means that there should be no pressure exertion or usage of the affected wrist. Let the pain and swelling subside first before usage.

ICE- apply cold compression in the affected wrist to decrease pain. Cold compression has an anesthetic effect that significantly decreases pain. Use cold packs wrapped in a towel 4-5 times a day for ONLY 15 minutes in order to prevent severe vaso-constriction of the blood vessels that can impede circulation. If the circulation is poor, the pain worsens.

Compression- compression with the use of elastic bandage is needed in order to limit swelling and so as the movement of the hand. The bandage should not be too tight in order not to impede the circulation.

Elevation- elevation of the affected wrist, especially at night, helps in reducing the accumulated fluid in the affected hands by enhancing venous return. The elevation should be above the heart level to allow drainage.

Pain medications could also be used in the management of sprain such as ibuprofen, Naproxen, acetaminophen or aspirin. It is best to have a physician consultation first before doing anything so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be received.