sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks

What should I do if I hurt my wrist golfing, possibly sprained, 3 weeks ago, never treated it or iced it, and it still hurts. These provide stability to the joint and also aid movement of the wrist. Now, it's probably a 2 on the pain scale. Falling on an outstretched hand pretty hard typically. You may sprain your wrist if you fall onto an outstretched hand. It hurts, but you're still able to move your sprained joint and bear weight in the location. If the pain persists for more than a few days or if your medication isnt helping, talk to your doctor to ensure you have been properly diagnosed. I think more and more hand specialists are the ones that are managing fractures about the hand, including the wrist. Copyright 2023 University of Utah Health, For All U of U Health Patients & Visitors, Dr. Andrew Tyser lends his expertise on this episode of The Specialists, and explains what to look out for when it comes to wrist injuries. Similarly, an unrecognized (occult) fracture can be mistaken for a mild or moderate sprain. Most home care treatment will aim to reduce symptoms of the injury until the ligament heals naturally. Usually in that case, if the pain subsides over the next few days, it's typically considered a wrist fracture. pain that worsens when you . Which is really the most important thing., Hand and Wrist Institute. 50 North Medical Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84132. Where is that? This content is written, edited and updated by hand surgeon members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Find a hand surgeon near you. In an arthrogram, a special dye is injected into the wrist joint. Dr. Miller: How would you know? How long does it take to heal? Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. The scapholunate ligament that connects your scaphoid and lunate bones is the most commonly sprained ligament. I sprained my litle finger six weeks ago and its still swollen and hurts my whole side of hamd till wrist when I use it. AAOS does not endorse any treatments, procedures, products, or physicians referenced herein. Dr. Miller: If you've fallen on your wrist and you think it may just be a strain, is there anything you should be doing between the time you decide that you need to see the doctor? Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice pain or swelling in your wrist especially if you fell or hurt it playing sports. It might be hard to move or use your affected wrist. This may generally be a good idea; however, taking too much medication may cause unwanted side effects and potentially be unsafe. If it's not, that may be a good time to get evaluated. 28F, I went snowboarding 2 weeks ago and wore wrist guards, but still fell on my hands/wrists quite a bit. Articular cartilage and ligaments allow the bones of the wrist to slide along each other while in a proper position. If pain and swelling persist for more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor. You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. Arthritis in the wrist follows three general patterns. Dont play through the pain if your wrist hurts during or after physical activity. In work-related activities, the highest proportion of people with wrist injuries are in service industries, manufacturing, construction laborers, carpenters, etc. Dr. Pietro Seni answered Orthopedic Surgery 49 years experience Need x-ray or MRI: They are several possible reasons:occult fracture, ligamentous damage, inflamed tendons.Usually diagnostic studies such as x-ras and MRI are needed to confirm a diagnosis. You might also need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan. They will also ask about how the injury . Dr. Tyser: About six weeks. More severe injuries may require open surgery. What are the common ways that we get wrist fractures? While your body is mending, there are things you can do to help speed up the healing process, and there are also activities you should try to avoid. Wrist sprains usually take from 2 to 10 weeks to heal, but some take longer. Dr. Miller: If you're in an area where a general orthopedic surgeon is available but they don't have a hand surgeon, I don't imagine that some places have access to hand surgeons, is it a good idea to proceed to see a hand surgeon at some point? Moving the fingers may help prevent them from becoming stiff. The wrist is usually bent backwards or into an abnormal position. Sprains are usually painful. While ice is best right after an injury, heat can promote healing and reduce pain a day or 2 after the injury. Someone slamed a door on my wrist my wrist went back a little and doctors said its sprained been 2 weeks now still hurts bad and it pops bad? Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis. They may also order other imaging tests if they need more information about the injury. How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Wrist Sprain? Warm up before playing sports or working out. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a person does not typically need to undergo surgery for a wrist sprain. A physical and occupational therapist can help patients who have undergone surgery for wrist sprain to recover fully. Dont rush your recovery. It is important for your doctor to evaluate even a mild wrist injury if it does not improve quickly. The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain. How to know if you have a sprained wrist. Although x-ray will not show the ligaments, it can be used to rule out other diagnoses. Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity. Get answers from Hand Surgeons and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The doctor can recommend treatments and check for possible broken bones. Is it red? Doctoral Degree. Dr. Tyser: And we see that quite a bit in our clinic as well as in the emergency room or urgent care centers. Follow the RICE method as soon as you notice pain or other symptoms: Visit a healthcare provider if your symptoms dont start getting better a few days after starting at-home treatments. You can treat most wrist sprains at home with rest, ice and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine. It's on the thumb side of the wrist and about an inch or so right before your wrist bends. A broken wrist occurs if a person breaks one or more of the eight bones located in the wrist. Many times they're caused by similar mechanisms. Duration of complaint 2 weeks Location Any existing relevant medical issues Current medications Include a photo if relevant Hi! A mild wrist sprain can be treated in urgent care facilities using home care treatments. But if the fall or accident that sprained your wrist caused other injuries, you might need surgery to repair the damage. Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon caused by repetitive overuse or injury. If symptoms do not improve after a reasonable period of time, additional imaging may be ordered to look for a more serious injury. In this weather condition, the ground is slippery and the chance of a slip is high. It may not be possible to prevent all cases of sprained wrists. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising and loss of strength or stability are common with mild (grade 1) to moderate (grade 2) wrist sprains. But a sprain is still frustrating and painful. Instead, healthcare providers sometimes call it the David Letterman sign or Madonna sign. It seems to be a commonly fractured area of all ages. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. The most common example of this is an occult fracture of the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist. So he diagnosed a sprained wrist. originally published: April 3, 2016. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the two most common ligaments that people sprain are the scapholunate ligament (which is located in the middle of the wrist) and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (which is located near the outside of the wrist). Feb 23, 2023. The purpose of the exam and x-rays is to make sure there are no broken bones, dislocated joints, or signs of a full ligament tear (Figure 3). Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down. This can help prevent swelling and additional injuries to the wrist. Healing can often take several weeks, but recovery is usually excellent. There may be bruising. Your symptoms like pain and swelling should improve as soon as you start treatment. Cookie Notice For mild wrist sprain involving a stretched ligament, non-surgical treatment can be administered. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. A doctor will need to assess the injury and determine the best treatment options to prevent either more invasive treatment later or permanent damage to the wrist. What should I do if I hurt my wrist golfing, possibly sprained, 3 weeks ago, never treated it or iced it, and it still hurts. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend using the RICE method. Overview. Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a wrist splint for one week or more. Your body needs time to heal. Wrist sprains are common injuries. The primary cause of a wrist sprain is from a fall on an outstretched hand. Often, the cause of a sprain is a sudden twist, impact, or movement that overstretches or pushes the wrist in a direction that it does not typically go. This is usually a break of the distal radius, which is one of the two bones in the forearm. Is it swollen? If more information is needed, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or arthrogram may also be ordered. If not a lot better in 7-10 days seek medical attention and demand an xRay. Tell your provider what you were doing right before you injured your wrist and when you first noticed the pain. The primary cause of a wrist sprain is from a fall on an outstretched hand. All material on this website is protected by copyright. What you should do instead: Seek medical advice if your injury hasnt started healing after a couple of days. Your doctor will examine your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. Simple sprains are 50-70% better in a week or 10 days. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. A person should also wear a splint to help immobilize the joint. If you dont, you may prolong the discomfort and possibly worsen the injury. Ligaments are bands of tissue that help connect bones, joints and organs and hold them in place. I think ruling out a fracture is sometimes just as important as diagnosing one. It's impossible to prevent the unforeseen events that often cause a broken . According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, some other symptoms of a sprained wrist can include: These symptoms are similar to those of other, and sometimes more severe, injuries that require medical attention. Its named after British comic Terry Thomas because the gap in the wrist bones resembles the gap between Terry Thomas front teeth. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. 22 Female White 90 lbs 4 foot ten Inches tall I have bipolar disorder, taking prozac and lamictal Anyway, I sprained my wrist falling off my longboard about 6 weeks ago. Daughters wrist swollen for 2 wks 3 days Drs said its sprain then hand & fingers swelled 2 days ago. I do also have hypermobility in both of my wrists. In the case of a severe wrist sprain with either a partial or complete ligament tear, it is important that the patient is referred to a specialist, particularly a hand and wrist surgeon. Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in a minute. X-rays. The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke. We avoid using tertiary references. 14,608 satisfied customers. A sprained wrist is usually treated without surgery. Surgery is followed by a period of rehabilitation that includes exercises to strengthen your wrist and restore range of motion. Wrist injuries are common and can happen to anyone during everyday activities. The X-ray is a fairly simple, quick, easy thing to do and will tell us usually one way or the other if you have a fracture or not. This might happen during everyday activities, but frequently occurs during sports and outdoor recreation. If you are overly concerned, usually your body will tell you if things are getting better or not. The pain switches from burning to throbbing to numb in not only my wrist but also my pinky and thumb. Copyright 1995-2021 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. During surgery, the hand surgeon will reconnect the ligament. I can't use the wrist/hand to support weight, like I can't use it to support my weight if I were trying to get up from a sitting position. Other symptoms may include: Even a wrist injury that seems mild with minimal swelling could still involve a torn ligament and require surgery to avoid long-term problems. Wrist sprain still hurts after after 6 weeks. Sprains of the wrist are fairly rare in everyday life and in the workplace. Leant backward on hand holding my son.Clear X-ray day of injury. But wrist pain also can result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Sometimes people that are skiing or participating in other sports that take a hard fall unexpectedly have that fracture. Your doctor will talk with you about which option is best in your situation. To learn more, please visit our. The doctor will perform a physical examination of the hand and the surrounding areas. Wrist sprains are one of the most common injuries people experience. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? A sprained wrist is painful. So maybe for those who wonder if it's fractured they should just have that checked out. Avoid activities or sports that might cause trauma to the wrist. Attempt to keep the wrist straight during most activities. Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. Orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist Dr. Andrew Tyser lends his expertise on this episode of The Specialists, and explains what to look out for when it comes to wrist injuries. It can take several weeks for the wrist to heal. Under certain weather conditions, such as during ice storms or after a snowfall, a wrist sprain is commonly caused by a fall in which a person lands on outstretched arm. My 12 year old daughter hurt her wrist in gym class. A sprained wrist is often swollen and painful, especially with motion. Ice and a splint or gentle wrap may be helpful for the first few days after a wrist sprain. These small fractures frequently do not require surgery and may heal on their own. The Terry Thomas sign is a nickname for the extra space that opens between your wrist bones after some types of sprains. A sprained wrist is usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion. If you put too much stress on your wrist before its healed, you can reinjure it and have a higher risk of complications and other injuries. Dr Knight has appeared on CNN, The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Oxygen network and more. The biggest benefit of this taping: it feels good. Will I need to immobilize my wrist? This article covers everything a person needs to know about the symptoms, treatments, and recovery times associated with sprained wrists. This occurs when the wrist is bent or twisted forcefully, such as caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. There may be bruising. Tenderness in certain areas may also be consistent with a broken bone. We look at symptoms, treatment, and how to feel more comfortable during, Wrist pain is a common complaint that can have many causes. A sprained wrist happens when something stretches your wrist ligaments enough to damage them. However, it may take six to twelve months for your symptoms to settle completely, these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and decreased strength. Your doctor will then carefully exam your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. Wrist sprains also occur during sports, such as skating, skateboarding, and skiing. Put heat on your wrists for 15-20 minutes. Most sprains heal without any problems in six to twelve weeks. Stretching and strengthening exercises that decrease muscle stiffness and increase the range of motion of the wrist joint are often prescribed for recovering patients. This is called an avulsion fracture. You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. Wrist Sprain., www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/wrist-sprain-a-to-z, Sprained Wrist Treatment, Symptoms & Prevention.. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of wrist tendonitis here. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. Anyone seeking specific orthopaedic advice or assistance should consult his or her orthopaedic surgeon, or locate one in your area through the AAOS Find an Orthopaedist program on this website. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Make sure your home and workspace are free of clutter that could trip you or others. This is especially important if the injury causes persistent wrist pain. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. After 6 weeks it is still gets painful? Keep your arm elevated and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). There are eight (8) carpal bones in the wrist and these bones are arranged in two rows. Many general orthopedic surgeons are more than qualified to take care of the routine, distal radius and other wrist fractures. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. The doctors said it will pass and it isn't broken-just by looking at it. A jammed finger causes swelling, difficulty moving the finger, and pain. It was extremely painful for the first two weeks: a 7 on the pain scale. A mild wrist sprain will start feeling better 24 to 48 hours after you start treatment. A person can sprain their wrist through sudden movements, by falling, or during contact sports. Theyre naturally very flexible and tough. An x-ray showing a gap between the scaphoid and the lunate from a sprained wrist (right) and a normal x-ray of the opposite wrist (left). The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons grade sprains into three categories, ranging from mild to severe. If your wrist starts to hurt or swell long after a break, see your doctor for an evaluation. Diagnosis Your doctor will examine your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. Sprains are graded, depending on the degree of injury to the ligaments: Wrist sprains are caused most often by a fall onto an outstretched hand. Dr. Miller: And what if you don't go and have this diagnosed as a fracture? Theyll look at your wrist and ask you about your symptoms. When can I resume physical activity or play sports again? Sprains can range in severity. If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy system for home use. Apply heat to your wrists if the pain continues. Severe (grade 3) wrist sprains may need to be looked at by a hand surgeon. X-rays are often taken. About OrthoInfoEditorial Board Our ContributorsOur Subspecialty Partners Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions Linking Policy AAOS Newsroom Find an FAAOS Surgeon. Even if it is just a sprain, its important to allow it to properly heal before resuming normal activity. This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. Because immobilization may cause some stiffness in your wrist, your doctor may recommend some stretching exercises to help you regain full mobility. A sprain is a partial injury to a ligament. Sometimes, a small piece of bone can be pulled off one of the wrist bones, called an avulsion. Because wrist sprains usually result from a fall, be careful when walking in wet or slippery conditions. That said, this time frame can change based on the severity of the injury or tear. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. It typically hurts when you try to move the wrist, grasp objects (especially heavy objects), or with twisting motions. Try not to do activities that involve your. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. 7 mo sprain wrist that is still very painful. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other forms of arthritis can make wrists tender and swollen. Learn. About 3% to 9% of sport-related injuries are wrist or hand injuries. Trauma to the wrist can injure adjacent nerves and blood vessels. By contrast, a sprained wrist affects a persons ligaments. Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. Inflammation (swelling) is a common symptom of all wrist sprains, as well as wrist fractures, but it varies significantly according to the severity of injury. Because so many factors can lead to wrist pain, diagnosing the exact cause can be difficult. Look for inflammation. But wrist pain can also result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, . Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Two of the common ones are the scapholunate ligament, in the middle of the wrist between the scaphoid and lunate bones (Figure 2), and the TFCC (triangular fibrocartilage complex) on the outside of the wrist. Or go to the doctor for an X-ray? Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. What is the long term consequence of that? 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. pain that worsens when you move your wrist or hand. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. However, in many cases the wrist looks pretty normal, maybe a little bit swollen and it's not as clear. Patients are encouraged to limit the use of the injured hand unless advised otherwise by the surgeon or physical therapists. Wrist sprains are common injuries that are usually caused by falls or sports injuries. Splints, pain relievers and rest can alleviate wrist pain. Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones. Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. Two weeks ago I had a cycling accident to which I fell off and knocked my on hand hard on the ground. When the cast comes off, it is very common to have significant weakness and stiffness. Your provider will diagnose your injury and suggest treatments thatll get you back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Get news & offers from Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. How do I treat my sprained hand/wrist? Mild wrist sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol: Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling. Proper diagnosis and treatment of wrist injuries is necessary to avoid long-term problems, including chronic pain, stiffness, and arthritis. That is, could you ice it? In other words, a person should avoid using their wrist, use an ice pack regularly, compress the wrist, and keep it elevated as much as possible. Your provider might ask you to move your wrist to check your range of motion (how far you can move a joint). Up-to-date information sent to your inbox. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. There are 20 ligaments in your wrist that support your eight wrist bones. The most common causes include: Its much less common, but certain health conditions can put enough pressure on your wrist ligaments to stretch them and cause a sprain, including: The most common complications are other injuries that happen when you sprain your wrist, including: A healthcare provider will diagnose a sprained wrist with a physical exam. Your healthcare provider will probably use a wrist X-ray to take pictures of your injured wrist ligaments and check for damage to your bones. Your provider might suggest you wear a brace or splint on your affected wrist. However, the sprain never fully healed. I landed on my hands while goalkeeping. He or she will want to know how and when your current injury occurred and will ask you to describe your symptoms, including whether you have any numbness in your hand or pain in any other locations. Can I have done other damage? I dont often write reviews for Doctors offices..But this office is really exceptional in terms of service and my wrist is now great! Lots of times people have a simple fall from ground level, sometimes slipping on the ice, sometimes falling off a bike. What feels like a sprained wrist could actually be a bone fracture or a torn ligament, both of which should be treated by a medical professional. If you have chronic pain, you may need surgery. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/sprained-wrist). For example, a person may wish to squeeze a stress ball or other semisoft ball for 1520 seconds and repeat this three times per day to help strengthen the wrist. In some cases, if a sprained wrist does not improve after a period of waiting, your doctor may order additional imaging to see if there are injuries that cannot be seen on x-ray or during a physical exam. Icing and compressing the injured area will reduce swelling. This is especially true for athletes who do repetitive motions or other activities that strain the wrists. Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk for falls. That's the typical area that breaks. A person may not easily be able to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture, or break. Check out our news and stories in our blog. 2. All rights reserved. Today, most people arent familiar with Terry Thomas. Many people choose to take over-the-counter medications to help relieve the pain and swelling caused by a sprained wrist. In this case, your surgeon will make a cut in the back of your wrist. A wrist sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the wrist stretch beyond their limits or tear. There are a couple of other smaller bones in the wrist that also sometimes get broken, but they're a little bit less common. Hi, I'm Dr. Tom Miller and I'm here with Dr. Andrew Tyser and he is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand care and hand surgery.