Accidentally twisting and getting a sprained wrist is pretty common. Dealing with a sprained wrist or any sprain is troublesome and painful. While it might heal on its own if you leave it alone, it’s better to be safe and see a doctor to assess the injury.
If you have a sprained wrist, read on to know what you should do to treat it.
What is a Sprain?
A sprain is a ligament injury where one or more ligaments are either stretched or torn. A ligament is a strong band of tissue bridging two bones together.
Most of the time, sprains happen in the ankle. However, sprains can also occur in the wrist if you fall on your hand.
Wrist sprains are common, especially in work and athletic environments. According to experts, 20 individual ligaments in the wrist connect the eight carpal bones. They also connect the forearm and the hand.
You may experience pain and swelling in the first one to two days after a sprain. Pain from a sprained wrist can be mild to severe, depending on the damage. It has three grades or levels:
- Grade 1 (mild) sprains are when you stretch a ligament but don’t tear it.
- Grade 2 (moderate) sprains are when your ligament is partially torn. This injury can negatively affect functionality.
- Grade 3 (severe) sprains are when your ligaments are completely torn.
What is the Best Thing To Do For a Sprained Wrist?
Treatment usually varies depending on whether your ligament is stretched, slightly torn, or completely torn. Depending on how severe the sprain was, it is vital to seek your doctor’s opinion. During the diagnosis, your doctor will determine whether your sprain is mild, moderate, or severe.
If your injury is mild or moderate, they will advise you to do the following:
1. Rest
Rest the injured wrist and allow it to heal. Exerting too much activity on the sprained wrist can be harmful; use your other hand to do your tasks.
2. Ice
Put ice on the sprained wrist promptly after getting injured. You may need to repeat this process four to eight times a day for about 20 minutes.
3. Compress
Compress the injured area. You can either use a compression sleeve, cast, or bandages. Compression helps prevent further swelling. Your physician will advise you on how tightly you should compress your wrist.
4. Elevate
Elevate or put up the sprained wrist above the height of your heart to lessen swelling. Elevating the injured area uses gravity to draw fluid away from the sprained area.
Heat treatment is inadvisable because heat stimulates blood flow. If you use heat treatment, it will draw more blood to the area, increasing swelling.
Sprains may take days or weeks to fully recover. As the swelling and pain from your sprained wrist gradually lessen, you can gently start moving it and using it again to accomplish day-to-day tasks.
Where To Get Treatment For A Sprained Wrist in North Dakota
Having a sprained wrist can make life difficult. Even the simplest chore can be painful when you have a sprained wrist.
Our dedicated specialists at The Bone & Joint Center Orthopaedic Center of Excellence are happy to extend a helping hand to treat your sprained wrist. With the help of our board-certified providers, you will receive the appropriate medical treatment for your sprained wrist, so you can quickly recover and regain a good quality of living in no time.
You can call us and schedule an appointment with our orthopedist at (701) 946-7400 or (866) 900-8650, or you can conveniently book an appointment by filling up this online appointment request form. For inquiries regarding our orthopedic services, you can call our office at (800) 424-2663. We also treat a variety of other injuries like arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis.
We look forward to assisting you with your health concerns and serving you!
