What is a sprained wrist?

A sprained wrist happens when a ligament (the tissue that connects bones at a joint) in your wrist is stretched or torn. Sprains and strains often happen during sports, exercise, sudden movements or falls.

Sprains are grouped into 3 grades based on how much the ligament is damaged.

Sprains are common in the ankle, wrist or knee. Other common wrist injuries include strains, fractures (broken bones) and dislocations.

What symptoms are related to sprained wrist?

Symptoms of a sprained wrist depend on the grade of your injury. They may include:

• swelling
• haematoma (a bad bruise)
• wrist pain and tenderness
• difficulty moving your wrist
• wrist instability
• weakness
• a 'pop' sound (which may suggest a grade 3 strain)

What causes a sprained wrist?

A sprain happens because of a sudden twist or wrenching motion. It is common in sports, exercise and sudden movements that involve:

• falling
• quickly changing direction
• repetitive strain

You are at higher risk of a sprained wrist if you:

• play sports — such as basketball, some types of football or contact sports
• have natural differences in your muscles or joints that make injuries more likely
• do exercises that put extra strain on your muscles

How is a sprained wrist diagnosed?

To diagnose a sprain, your doctor may:

• ask about your symptoms and how long you've had them
• ask if you know what caused the injury
• check you for pain, movement and wrist instability to see how serious your sprain is

To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other injuries, your doctor may suggest an:

• x-ray
• MRI scan
• ultrasound
• diagnostic arthroscopy — a procedure that uses a small camera inside your wrist to check for hidden damage

When should I see my doctor?

You should see your doctor if:

• you need advice on how to manage your sprained wrist
• your pain doesn't get better or gets worse over time
• your symptoms last more than a few days, as this may suggest a more serious injury

When should I seek emergency or urgent care?

See your doctor immediately if you have ongoing wrist pain after an injury, especially if:

• the pain is very strong
• your wrist feels unstable, weak or hard to move
• you think you may have a broken bone or torn ligament
• you feel numbness or unusual sensations in your hand or fingers

Learn more about urgent care clinics and when you may need an ambulance.

How is a sprained wrist treated?

Treatment depends on how severe your sprain is. Most mild sprains can be treated at home. Moderate to severe sprains may need physiotherapy or medical treatment.

Self-care at home

Mild sprains can usually be treated with rest and care to help ease swelling and support healing.

Follow the RICE-GF for self-care at home:

• Rest — avoid activities that cause pain.
• Ice — apply an ice pack to bring down swelling (use a cloth to protect your skin).
• Compression — wrap your wrist with a bandage or brace to support it and bring down swelling. It should fit tightly against the skin, but not too tight, to avoid cutting off blood flow.
• Elevation — keep your wrist raised (above heart level if possible) to bring down swelling and pain. Rest your arm on a pillow when sitting.
• Gentle movement — depending on how much pain you have, start moving your wrist gently after 2 to 3 days.
• Follow-up — see your doctor after a week to make sure your wrist is healing properly. Your doctor will advise if you need further treatment.

Medicines

If you need pain-relief medicine, paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) may help.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best pain-relief medicine for you, and the right dose for your circumstances. You may need to avoid certain medicines, especially if you have other health conditions.

Other treatment options

If you have a more severe sprain, your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy can help improve movement and strengthen your wrist.

If the ligament is completely torn, your doctor may refer you to a surgeon for assessment.

What are the complications of a sprained wrist?

A sprained wrist can sometimes lead to long-term problems. Possible complications include:

• muscle fibrosis (scar tissue) — can happen with a severe injury or too much rest
• muscle atrophy (muscle shrinking and weakness) — caused by not using the wrist enough
• chronic ligament instability — if a moderate or severe sprain isn't treated well, the wrist may become weak and unstable
• abnormal bone growth — this is rare but can happen in certain situations
• compartment syndrome (dangerous swelling) — this is a serious complication and needs urgent treatment

Surgery may also have risks. Ask your doctor about possible complications to help you prepare for surgery.

Can a sprained wrist be prevented?

You can lower your risk of a sprained wrist by keeping your wrist strong. Wrist exercises can help protect your wrist and keep it moving easily. This is especially important if you use your wrists a lot.

Strengthening your wrist muscles can also ease pain and help prevent long-term problems if you get injured.

Ask your doctor or physiotherapist for advice on the best wrist exercises for you.

Resources and support

• Australian Physiotherapy Association provides more information on wrist sprains.
• HealthyWA offers information on how to provide first aid for sprains and strains.
• Healthdirect also has information about de Quervain's disease — a swelling at the base of the thumb, which is painful when you move your wrist.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.