sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks

After discussing your medical history and general health, your doctor will ask about any previous injuries to your hand or wrist. Many times the sequence of events is patients suspects they have a wrist fracture, they're evaluated in either an emergency room or urgent care center. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Wearing wrist guards or protective tape when participating in these activities will help support your wrist and can prevent it from bending too far backward if you fall. How to Treat a Sprained Wrist 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? What you should do instead: Rest your body, especially your wrist, and stop any activity that causes pain. Sprains of the wrist are fairly rare in everyday life and in the workplace. About OrthoInfoEditorial Board Our ContributorsOur Subspecialty Partners Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions Linking Policy AAOS Newsroom Find an FAAOS Surgeon. Jammed finger: Symptoms, treatment, and when to see a doctor For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. sprained wrist typically heal well, with minimal or no long-term symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other forms of arthritis can make wrists tender and swollen. 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. If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy system for home use. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Sometimes, a small piece of bone can be pulled off one of the wrist bones, called an avulsion. What be? You can usually treat a sprained wrist at home with rest, ice, compression and over-the-counter medicine. Consider immobilizing your wrist with a brace or splint to prevent movement in the joint. I do also have hypermobility in both of my wrists. Dr. Miller: How long before a wrist fracture heals typically? Wrist hurts 3 weeks after fallis it normal? - MedHelp Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon caused by repetitive overuse or injury. Instead, healthcare providers sometimes call it the David Letterman sign or Madonna sign. Wrist sprain still hurts after after 6 weeks. : r/AskDocs - reddit Anyone who experiences thumb pain, particularly if it lasts longer than a few days should see a . 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 felt as if my wrist was sprained & was painful for a few days. Visit a healthcare provider if you fall or experience any type of injury that leads to wrist pain especially if your symptoms dont get better in a few days. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. People can also take steps to prevent wrist sprains by avoiding walking on icy or slippery surfaces and by wearing appropriate wrist guards when engaging in activities that may injure the joint. Mild swelling could be visible and bruising might develop in more severe injuries. X-rays showed no broken bones. For mild wrist sprain involving a stretched ligament, non-surgical treatment can be administered. I think ruling out a fracture is sometimes just as important as diagnosing one. However, in many cases the wrist looks pretty normal, maybe a little bit swollen and it's not as clear. The muscles and tendons will return to normal over a period of several weeks. When this happens, it is very likely that the hand or wrist bends or twists forcefully. Use a cane or walker if you have difficulty walking or have an increased risk for falls. I sprained my wrist over a month ago, I have been using a wrist splint but it still hurts extremely bad. Because wrist sprains usually result from a fall, be careful when walking in wet or slippery conditions. Cool down and stretch after physical activity. Sprained Wrist - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Rehabilitation 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. I now almost have complete use of my wrist. Both types of injury can produce pain, swelling, bruising, and warmth around the affected area. Wrist pain may feel sharp, dull, achy, or like pins and needles. More severe injuries may require open surgery. X-ray imaging will show bone fractures and wrist bones alignment. "I Wear A Brace, But It Still Hurts" Part 4: The Wrist I am able to bend my hand back all the way to my arm. With mild injuries, stiffness is normal once the ligament begins to heal. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? The wrist is usually bent backwards or into an abnormal position. originally published: April 3, 2016. New patients can schedule an appointment online and fill out your patient information to save time. There was no one obvious moment of wrist pain, and I was pretty sore everywhere for a few days after. The biggest benefit of this taping: it feels good. Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. I saw the doctor the day after I hurt my wrist. Learn about sprained fingers, an injury that causes pain in one or more of the fingers. 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. The doctor will likely need to reassess the wrist and recommend additional therapies, such as surgery. Lots of times people have a simple fall from ground level, sometimes slipping on the ice, sometimes falling off a bike. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Doctoral Degree. Visit a healthcare provider to make sure you didnt damage the bones or other tissue in your wrist when you were hurt. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. During surgery, the hand surgeon will reconnect the ligament. Where is that? Kimball, H. (2015). For how long? For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy systemfor home use. 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. This list of four things to avoid doing when you have a sprained wrist is a good starting point, but as with any other type of injury, follow your doctors recommendations. Ligaments form the connections between the different bones in the wrist (Figure 1). First, it may occur after a lifetime of normal every-day use of the hand. It can take several weeks for the wrist to heal. Symptoms of a broken wrist are the same in both children and adults. Similarly, an unrecognized (occult) fracture can be mistaken for a mild or moderate sprain. Dr. Tyser: I would and I think that's a good summary of the recommendations. 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 ? Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. If you have a moderate or severe injury, recovery might last 6 to 8 weeks. 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. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Redness and warmth are often observed in recently sprained wrists. When I fell my right wrist hurt like crazy as well and could hardly move it or grip stuff or turn taps/bottles etc for about 2 weeks. This may involve a wrist brace or a cast for 2-6 weeks, minimizing activity that causes pain such a tight gripping or pushing, and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain. Slipped on the Ice? How to Know If Your Injury Is Serious | HSS 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. 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. And many of these fractures are able to be treated with conservative measures, such as casting or even splinting. It hurts, but you're still able to move your sprained joint and bear weight in the location. Should you ice and elevate the injury? If you are overly concerned, usually your body will tell you if things are getting better or not. For athletes, sprains and other injuries to the wrist or hand account for 3% to 9% of all sports . X-rays may be obtained to rule out a fracture, joint instability, or arthritis of the wrist. It may be difficult, but the best thing to do is rest and give your body the chance to heal on its own. Wrist sprains are common during snowfall or ice storms. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. 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 ? I dont often write reviews for Doctors offices..But this office is really exceptional in terms of service and my wrist is now great! Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. He or she will then examine your entire hand and arm to make sure you have no other injuries. Thank you for your message.It has been sent. Copyright 1995-2021 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Welcome. 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. Request an appointment using our secure online form. Sprains can range in severity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Not sure what service you need or what injury or syndrome you may have? Most sprains heal without any problems in six to twelve weeks. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). A sprained wrist is usually treated without surgery. MRI scan and CT scan aided by an arthrogram, a special dye that can be injected into the wrist joint to assess ligament tears, can be used to obtain accurate pictures of the wrist and ligaments. It's impossible to prevent the unforeseen events that often cause a broken . Overuse wrist injuries are also common in sports, such as racquet sports, gymnastics, golf, weightlifting, etc. Sprained wrist symptoms. Wrist Sprains - OrthoInfo - AAOS Two weeks ago I had a cycling accident to which I fell off and knocked my on hand hard on the ground. A wrist sprain is often characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness of the wrist joint. 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. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. It may not be possible to prevent all cases of sprained wrists. I did not injure it, though it does seem to be swollen on the read more. I landed on my hands while goalkeeping. For severe wrist sprain involving a partial or a complete tear of the wrist ligament, an orthopedic surgeon will perform surgery on the wrist. We're going to talk about that next on Scope Radio. If more information is needed, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or arthrogram may also be ordered. Several Bucks set to return after layoffs; Giannis' status uncertain Ligaments are the strong connective tissues that connect bones to other bones. Have sprained wrist in the past few years. Alternate 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Sprained wrist or fractured scaphoid (28F)? : r/AskDocs Icing and compressing the injured area will reduce swelling. They will likely examine the persons wrist and have the person perform movement tests to check for pain and mobility issues. Most wrist sprains have a positive prognosis. It's not swollen, and she has full rom. When a sprain occurs, a person will likely feel pain and may have symptoms such as swelling or bruising in the affected area. How to heal a sprained wrist fast? - egszz.churchrez.org 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. 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. Treatment without surgery may be appropriate in a predynamic injury, or a mild sprain of the scapholunate ligament without changes on x-rays. X-rays are taken and sure enough unfortunately they have a wrist fracture. What you should do instead: Perform stretches and strengthening exercises to help prevent future wrist sprains. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. It will fully heal in 1 or 2 weeks. Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. Arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage on the ends of bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness in a joint. Home remedies for a sprained wrist At home, you can treat a mild wrist sprain with the RICE method: Rest. How to Relieve Wrist Pain from Lifting: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow It might be hard to move or use your affected wrist. Is it swollen? There are eight (8) carpal bones in the wrist and these bones are arranged in two rows. Therapy without wires or standalone electrodes, Home Hand/Wrist 4 Things NOT to Do When You Have a Sprained Wrist. Sprained wrists are a common but very painful injury to the ligaments in a persons wrist. It definitely hurts and there will be prolonged pain and swelling. Some patients have reported a popping sound in the wrist. 2018American Society for Surgery of the Hand. What you should do instead: Apply ice and elevate your wrist above the level of your heart. A person should talk with their doctor if they suspect that they have injured their wrist. The proximal wrist bones articulate with the, The hand is of constant use for various activities. Cleveland Clinic offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for bone, joint or connective tissue disorders and rheumatic and immunologic diseases. Is My Wrist Sprained or Fractured? | University of Utah Health Avoid activities or sports that might cause trauma to the 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. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? But wrist pain also can result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. 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. Your provider will diagnose your injury and suggest treatments thatll get you back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Wrist injuries are common and can happen to anyone during everyday activities. Pain and swelling can develop over several days and may last anywhere from a few days to six weeks. Wrist sprain - aftercare Information | Mount Sinai - New York 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 some individuals, the wrist will become swollen and tender with ecchymosis (bruising with blue-black discoloration). I think it really depends on the community and also the training of the person taking care of the fracture. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. During sports or other physical activities: Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of an injury: You should expect to make a full recovery after a sprained wrist. Specifically: A grade 3 tear requires medical attention. Visit a healthcare provider if youre experiencing wrist pain and other symptoms that dont get better after a few days of at-home treatments. Now, it's probably a 2 on the pain scale. But a sprain is still frustrating and painful. How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Wrist Sprain? Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries. Pressure: Press down on the area of the sprain to keep swelling down. They can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. Doctors may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to alleviate pain. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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? How to know if you have a sprained wrist. Wrist sprains are common injuries. This is usually a break of the distal radius, which is one of the two bones in the forearm. Your surgeon will make a small incision (cut) and insert a small camera (arthroscope) to look at your bones and ligaments. Sprained wrists are injuries or tears to one or more ligaments in the wrist. 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. Splints, pain relievers and rest can alleviate wrist pain. Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a wrist splint for one week or more. 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. This article looks at the causes and symptoms of wrist pain, as well as risk factors and, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Your body needs time to heal. My 12 year old daughter hurt her wrist in gym class. 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. A thumb may become sprained when the joint is stressed or overextended. Wrist sprains also occur during sports, such as skating, skateboarding, and skiing. Carpal ligament injuries, pathomechanics, and classification. Some may heal with rest, while others may need treatment and/or be chronic issues that have the potential to cause long-term pain in the wrist. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. And if there is a fracture, you'd advise them to see an orthopedic hand surgeon. Talk to a healthcare provider before taking pain relievers for more than 10 days in a row. To treat a sprain, start with ice. While ice is best right after an injury, heat can promote healing and reduce pain a day or 2 after the injury. A physical and occupational therapist can help patients who have undergone surgery for wrist sprain to recover fully. Ice and a splint or gentle wrap may be helpful for the first few days after a wrist sprain. Theyll look at your wrist and ask you about your symptoms. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/sprained-wrist). Falls (especially catching yourself from a fall with outstretched hands). Learn how we can help There are several different ligaments in the wrist that a person could sprain. A person can sprain their wrist through sudden movements, by falling, or during contact sports. Sometimes, a sprained wrist can pull off a tiny piece of bone. Taking too much medication may also dull the pain to the point that your symptoms are masked. Tell them if that movement hurts or when it hurts most. This is called an avulsion fracture. What you should do instead: Seek medical advice if your injury hasnt started healing after a couple of days. This is called immobilization and will hold your wrist in a neutral position while it heals. The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke. They can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. Symptoms of a wrist sprain vary depending on the extent and the location of the sprain. I injured my wrist a week ago and it still hurts. Many times they're caused by similar mechanisms. Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. Could it be more than a sprain? However, there is a fairly significant subset of them do require surgery and in this same sense as far as time goes, it's about a six week recovery also, as far as the bones healing. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. There's popping too. No. If not a lot better in 7-10 days seek medical attention and demand an xRay. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. A sprained wrist is usually caused by a fall or sudden twisting motion. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. 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? Wrist Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - Verywell Health X-rays are often taken. After surgery, the doctor will advise that the patient undergo physical therapy or rehabilitation. In this case, your surgeon will make a cut in the back of your wrist. X-rays are often taken. That is, could you ice it? Policy. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. What are the common ways that we get wrist fractures? Broken Wrist: Signs, Treatment, and Recovery - Healthline 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. Daughters wrist swollen for 2 wks 3 days Drs said its sprain then hand & fingers swelled 2 days ago. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/20/2022. A wrist sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support the wrist stretch beyond their limits or tear. Could you take ibuprofen or aspirin? All rights reserved. This is especially true for athletes who do repetitive motions or other activities that strain the wrists. Dr. Miller: So to summarize, it sounds like if you have a fall and your wrist really hurts or is immobile or the pain lasts and the swelling is lasting longer than three days, you probably ought to have that checked out, have an X-ray. 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