Common Causes of Wrist Sprain and Its Possible Treatments

Wrist sprain: Overview

A wrist sprain is an injury to the wrist ligaments. The injury usually happens when the ligaments are stretched or torn out. Ligaments are the bands of tough tissues that help join the bones at the joints. Several reasons can cause wrist sprains. For example, falling on your outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of wrist sprain. As well as this, twisting or bending your wrists suddenly may also cause ligaments to damage or stretched, resulting in a wrist sprain.

Here in this article, we are going to discuss the common types, causes, and signs of wrist sprains. As well as this, we also come up with possible treatment plans, suggested by experts, for a sprained wrist. In the end, our discussion will be concluded with the possible preventive measures to avoid the chances of wrist sprains and other commonly found wrist injuries. So, let’s begin our discussion here; 

Types of wrist sprains

Based on the intensity of the damage or injury, the following are the common types of wrist sprain:

  • Mild or Grade I Sprain: Mild or grade I sprain occurs when the wrist ligaments are stretched out. However, the ligaments are not torn out in this condition. 
  • Moderate or Grade II Sprain: When the ligaments are partially torn, the injury is a moderate or grade II level sprain. The injury may result in some loss of function.
  • Severe or Grade III Sprain: A grade III or severe sprain happens when the ligaments are completely torn or pulled out of their attachment position from the bones. Grade III or severe sprain may require surgery to repair the broken or injured ligaments.

What causes wrist sprains?

The following are considered the most common causes or risk factors contributing to the development of wrist sprains:

  • Falling: Falling on an outstretched hand or arm is the common cause of developing wrist sprain.
  • Repetitive motion: Repetitive wrist motions during sports, workouts and other occupational activities may result in wrist sprains.
  • Other traumatic conditions: Traumatic conditions, such as road accidents or colliding with something or someone, may also cause wrist sprains.

Common signs of wrist sprains

Whenever you feel any of these given signs or symptoms during sports, occupational activities, or after traumatic conditions or injuries, you may have developed wrist sprains:

  • Pain around your wrist joint or hand
  • Swelling around your wrist joint
  • You may feel warmth and tenderness on your wrist
  • Bruising or discolouration may also appear in the injured area
  • Loss of motion or functionality
  • Weakness around the wrist joint or muscles

How to treat wrist sprains

Whether you are involved in sports activities or performing occupational tasks, you must halt all of your activities and consult your GP or healthcare professionals instead. Healthcare professionals perform physical check-ups or other machine tests to diagnose the problems and then suggest treatment plans accordingly:

  1. RICE Method

The RICE method is considered the basic treatment plan or conservative measure to deal with the mild to moderate symptoms of wrist sprains. The RICE method includes;  

  • Rest: You need to provide your wrist with proper protection and rest to avoid further damage or injuries.
  • Ice massage: Ice massage is recommended to minimise pain and swelling in the injured area. It is advised to apply ice for 10 – 15 minutes several times a day. However, it is advised to avoid applying direct ice as it can damage your skin. You better use ice bags.
  • Compression: Healthcare professionals suggest providing your injured wrist with compression and support. You can wear the best wrist support braces for wrist sprain to provide compression to the injured wrist. Compression helps improve blood circulation, speeding up recovery.
  • Elevation: Elevate your injured areas from above your heart level, helping reduce pain and swelling.

  1. Medicines

Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is helpful to reduce pain and swelling. To deal with severe pain, healthcare advisors may also suggest stronger pain relievers. However, for some conditions, cortisone injections are also helpful to reduce pain and swelling.

  1. Physical therapy or exercises

You should also perform stretching exercises or consult a professional physical therapist. Stretching exercises or physical therapy helps regain the wrist’s normal range of motion.

  1. Surgery

For severe conditions, such as grade III sprain, when the ligaments are completely torn, healthcare professionals suggest surgical treatments. During surgery, surgeons remove or repair the damaged ligaments. You must also wear wrist support braces to promote healing following wrist surgery.

Preventive measures to avoid wrist sprains

Professional trainers and healthcare advisors revealed some most effective preventative measures that help you avoid wrist sprain. Whether you are a professional sportsperson or require repetitive hand or wrist movements during working, you may be experiencing a wrist sprain. This is why you are advised to follow the given preventive measures to get a safe sports or working experience:

  1. Perform stretching exercises

You need to perform stretching exercises regularly. Stretching exercises help increase flexibility and lower the chances of injuries. You should follow the stretching exercises as per recommended by your GP or professional trainers.

  1. Maintain a good posture

Maintaining a good posture is compulsory for both sportspeople and working professionals. You need to get professional coaching for maintaining good posture for your particular sports or work.

  1. Learn sports techniques properly

Several sports require specific but repetitive wrist or hand movements. For example, playing golf, tennis, volleyball, and other sports require proper techniques and repetitive movements. Performing the wrong techniques can put excessive pressure on your wrist muscles or joints, causing wrist sprain. You need to learn proper techniques during practice to perform injury-free performance when playing.

  1. Wear protective gear

Wearing protective gear is always beneficial when playing sports or performing other tasks. These protective gear, such as wrist support braces help protect your wrist from the impacts of repetitive motions. However, you must avoid overusing these braces as they can damage your skin or may restrict the necessary moves required to perform several tasks.

wrist support for sprain

 

  1. Avoid over training or overusing

Whether you are on a practice court or at your workplace, you must avoid over training or overusing your wrists. Always listen to your body and take frequent breaks when you are required to perform the same tasks or repetitive movements of hands or wrists.

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