A wrist sprain is one of the most common injuries, occurring during sports or from falls. Home remedies can be used to treat a sprained wrist; for example, you can try ice, compression, rest, or over-the-counter medicine. You can get in touch with a healthcare provider to ensure you didn’t damage the bones or other tissue in your wrist when you were hurt.
When the ligaments that are responsible for holding your bones together get injured, the condition is called a sprain. Ligaments help connect joints, bones, and organs and hold them in place. They are tough and very flexible. 20 ligaments in your wrist support your 8 wrist bones. A sprained wrist happens when something stretches the ligaments of your wrist to damage them. The scapholunate ligament connects your scaphoid and lunate bones, which is the most commonly sprained ligament. When the wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit, they are often considered minor injuries. Sprains usually cause pain. A sprained wrist might be difficult to move or use. Minor wrist sprains can be treated using home remedies, including rest, ice and over-the-counter medicine. If you are experiencing wrist pain and other symptoms, you can opt for physiotherapy Glenroy at Magnus Medical.
The signs of a sprained wrist can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of the injury. Mild ligament strains and tears can cause mild tenderness and pain with twisting and movement of the joint. With more severe injuries, you can have pain even when resting or applying home remedies. Other signs of a sprained wrist include:
Wrist sprains can also restrict range of motion and stability. Athletes may notice a popping sound at the time of the injury.
Anything that stretches your wrist ligaments too far, then it can lead to a wrist sprain. Here are the most common causes of a sprained wrist:
It’s much less common, but certain health conditions can cause your wrist ligaments to stretch and lead to a sprain, such as:
A sprained wrist usually takes a few weeks to recover. Your symptoms, like swelling and pain, must improve after wrist sprain treatment. Healing depends on the severity of your wrist condition. Healing time by grade:
Home remedies may be effective to treat a sprained wrist. Avoid doing activities that can put more pressure on your wrist. Over-the-counter pain medicine may help relieve pain and alleviate inflammation. Speak to a healthcare practitioner before taking pain relievers. Follow the home remedies written below as you notice pain or other signs:
Visit a healthcare provider if you don’t see any improvement after a few days, even after trying home remedies. You may be recommended to wear a brace or splint on your affected wrist. This is known as immobilisation and will hold your wrist in the right position while it recovers. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider how often you need to wear a brace or splint and for how long.
Conclusion
If you have a wrist sprain, you need to consult with a physiotherapist; they may recommend some home remedies while opting for physiotherapy treatment. If they notice that your wrist’s condition is severe, they may recommend surgery. For consultation or medical help, you can get in touch with Glenroy Medical Centre doctors.
