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

By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. All Rights Reserved. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Ask your provider when you can resume physical activities or playing sports. I tried catching myself with my hand and I think my wrist stretched too far forward. The doctor will likely need to reassess the wrist and recommend additional therapies, such as surgery. Falls (especially catching yourself from a fall with outstretched hands). This is especially important if the injury causes persistent wrist pain. These symptoms include: bruising. Simple sprains are 50-70% better in a week or 10 days. For example, people can take the following preventive steps: It may also help to perform strengthening exercises to help prevent injury. Redness and warmth are often observed in recently sprained wrists. Cool down and stretch after physical activity. Sprains can range from a stretch or tiny tear in the fibers that make up the ligament to a complete tear through the ligament or through its attachment to the bone. In many cases a sprained wrist is a one-time event, but after you have sustained this type of injury you are at a higher risk for reinjury if you dont take preventive action, potentially leading to chronic wrist sprains. A sprain is typically caused by a traumatic injury to the wrist, such as a fall on an outstretched hand, but can also be caused by repetitive use of the wrist such as seen in athletes who play racket sports or people who place a lot of stress through the wrist joint (boxers, gymnasts, weightlifters). Is exercise more effective than medication for depression and anxiety? Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. That is, could you ice it? This article covers everything a person needs to know about the symptoms, treatments, and recovery times associated with sprained wrists. Sprained wrists are injuries or tears to one or more ligaments in the wrist. A person should talk with their doctor about how long it may take for them to recover and when it is safe for them to return to their normal activities. And the first question is, this hurts, is it broken or not? In severe cases, the ligament can be, After evaluating the hand and reviewing symptoms, the doctor will determine if the patients can continue treatment in an urgent care facility or be referred to a, Rettig, Arthur C. Athletic Injuries of the Wrist and Hand., Harvard Health Publishing. What you should do instead: Seek medical advice if your injury hasnt started healing after a couple of days. A sprained wrist is usually treated without surgery. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. This is called an avulsion fracture. The proximal wrist bones articulate with the, The hand is of constant use for various activities. (iced in the 3rd week)? 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. If it's not, that may be a good time to get evaluated. Knowing what to do, and what not to do, after sustaining this type of injury may help you heal faster and help prevent future injuries. What be? But wrist pain also can result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. 2018American Society for Surgery of the Hand. We avoid using tertiary references. Is it red? A physical and occupational therapist can help patients who have undergone surgery for wrist sprain to recover fully. Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon caused by repetitive overuse or injury. If it doesn't, the injury is likely a sprain rather than a fracture, and it should heal on its own after a week or two. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Wrist tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon within the wrist. Wrist sprains also occur during sports, such as skating, skateboarding, and skiing. Two weeks ago I had a cycling accident to which I fell off and knocked my on hand hard on the ground. 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. Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. Ice and a splint or gentle wrap may be helpful for the first few days after a wrist sprain. Dr. Tyser: I think typically for people that do have a wrist fracture who initially don't realize it, they'll come to realize that within the first few days, within a week I would say. Some specific causes of sprained wrists can include: blunt trauma from a fall, hit, or other force twisting the wrist suddenly or too far stretching the wrist too far According to the. Over-the-counter pain medicine like NSAIDs or acetaminophen can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? A person should also wear a splint to help immobilize the joint. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. This might happen during everyday activities, but frequently occurs during sports and outdoor recreation. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. The Terry Thomas sign is a nickname for the extra space that opens between your wrist bones after some types of sprains. This can help prevent swelling and additional injuries to the wrist. A person should contact their doctor even if they think they have a minor sprain to rule out other injuries that need specific treatment. I have severe, constant pain in my thumb that has worsened. They will also ask about how the injury . To learn more, please visit our, , ligamentous damage, inflamed tendons.Usually diagnostic studies such as x-ras and. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons grade sprains into three categories, ranging from mild to severe. 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. 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). Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. Should you ice and elevate the injury? Severe sprains may require surgery to repair the fully torn ligament. 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. 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. 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. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. Although an x-ray will not show the ligaments themselves, it can suggest a ligament injury if the wrist bones do not line up correctly. Stretching and strengthening exercises that decrease muscle stiffness and increase the range of motion of the wrist joint are often prescribed for recovering patients. 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? Your provider might ask you to move your wrist to check your range of motion (how far you can move a joint). A person can typically treat a sprained wrist with minimal medical intervention. Dr. Tyser: Exactly. Wrist sprain still hurts after after 6 weeks. In some individuals, the wrist will become swollen and tender with ecchymosis (bruising with blue-black discoloration). He or she will then examine your entire hand and arm to make sure you have no other injuries. Antetokounmpo mostly refrained from playing . More severe sprains happen when you tear a ligament. In severe cases, the ligament can be partially or completely torn. Wrist sprains are common injuries. The proximal wrist bones articulate with the radius and ulna, while the distal carpal bones connect with the metacarpals. 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. A sprained wrist is often swollen and painful, especially with motion. For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Kimball, H. (2015). [4] For the most benefit, alternate heat and ice on your wrists. However, for more complicated ones, fractures and dislocations at the same time or those involving other small bones of the wrist, many times we see that those are more traditionally taken care of by hand surgeons. and our 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. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Find a doctor or location close to you so you can get the health care you need, when you need it. You can usually treat a sprained wrist at home with rest, ice, compression and over-the-counter medicine. The scapholunate ligament that connects your scaphoid and lunate bones is the most commonly sprained ligament. Theyre naturally very flexible and tough. Use two hands to lift and hold heavier objects. What is the long term consequence of that? I think more and more hand specialists are the ones that are managing fractures about the hand, including the wrist. What would you recommend? But if the pain is not getting better and persists and the swelling gets worse, difficult use to the hand, etc., many times an X-ray is warranted to determine if it is a wrist fracture or not. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. I am experiencing wrist pain. Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. We look at symptoms, treatment, and how to feel more comfortable during, Wrist pain is a common complaint that can have many causes. Consider immobilizing your wrist with a brace or splint to prevent movement in the joint. The ligaments in the wrist help to keep the bones in proper position and stabilize the joint. Go to the emergency room if you experience trauma or think you have a broken bone. Dr. Miller: And there are certain parts of the wrist that become fractured, the back, the front, one of the particular bones. It can take several weeks for the wrist to heal. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops. I think it really depends on the community and also the training of the person taking care of the fracture. I saw the doctor the day after I hurt my wrist. Dr. Miller: Is the distal radius closer to the thumb or the little finger? 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. 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. A sprained wrist is usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion. Resting the wrist by reducing normal activity using the injured arm relieve pain. Doctors may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to alleviate pain. All rights reserved. There's popping too. Dr. Miller: How long before a wrist fracture heals typically? There are a couple of other smaller bones in the wrist that also sometimes get broken, but they're a little bit less common. Both types of injury can produce pain, swelling, bruising, and warmth around the affected area. An x-ray can also help your doctor rule out a broken bone in your wrist. Learn. Most wrist sprains have a positive prognosis. Or if it's not a bad fracture sometimes just a splint placed and are advised to follow up with an orthopedic hand doctor. A cold therapy system is more effective than ice packs and more convenient because the system does everything for you by providing consistent therapeutic cold and active compression at the same time. There are several different ligaments in the wrist that a person could sprain. 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. Rest: Move your thumb as little as possible to keep the sprain from getting worse. Healing can often take several weeks, but recovery is usually excellent. sprained wrist typically heal well, with minimal or no long-term symptoms. How do I treat my sprained hand/wrist? I went to express care and they took x rays of my wrist they said it was sprained and put me in a brace i think it is broke or fractured because it still hurts and i can kinda move my hand in the brace but it still hurts ? 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. I dont often write reviews for Doctors offices..But this office is really exceptional in terms of service and my wrist is now great! Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk for falls. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Sprained wrists are a common but very painful injury to the ligaments in a persons wrist. A thumb may become sprained when the joint is stressed or overextended. I now almost have complete use of my wrist. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, http://blog.handcare.org/blog/2020/10/12/how-to-know-if-you-have-a-sprained-wrist/, https://www.nebh.org/blog/staying-in-the-game-preventing-common-hand-and-wrist-injuries-in-basketball/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551514/, https://ehs.ucsc.edu/programs/ergo/wrist.html, https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/sprained-wrist, https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/wrist-fracture, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/wrist-sprains/, Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. updated: May 18, 2018 1 of 2. 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. 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. Your provider might suggest you wear a brace or splint on your affected wrist. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that hold your bones together. The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke. I sprained both of my wrists 4 months ago, they still continuley hurt, why is that? They can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. I did not injure it, though it does seem to be swollen on the read more. But a sprain is still frustrating and painful. My 12 year old daughter hurt her wrist in gym class. Immediate pain,couldnt move.4 days later can move but still very painful to touch and bit swollen. Anyway, I sprained my wrist falling off my longboard about 6 weeks ago. Your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis. How long does it take to heal? Arthritis in the wrist follows three general patterns. Its rare to need surgery for a sprained wrist. Lots of times people have a simple fall from ground level, sometimes slipping on the ice, sometimes falling off a bike.