Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

WRIST SPRAIN

General Information

DEFINITION--Violent overstretching of one or more ligaments in the wrist joint. Sprains involving two or more ligaments cause considerably more disability than single-ligament sprains. When the ligament is overstretched, it becomes tense and gives way at its weakest point, either where it attaches to bone or within the ligament itself. If the ligament pulls loose a fragment of bone, it is called a SPRAIN-FRACTURE. There are 3 types of sprains:

  • Mild (Grade I)--Tearing of some ligament fibers. There is no loss of function.
  • Moderate (Grade II)--Rupture of a portion of the ligament, resulting in some loss of function.
  • Severe (Grade III)--Complete rupture of the ligament or complete separation of ligament from bone. There is total loss of function. A severe sprain requires surgical repair.

    BODY PARTS INVOLVED

  • Ligaments of the wrist.
  • Tissue surrounding the sprain, including blood vessels, tendons, bone, periosteum (covering of bone) and muscles. {366}

    SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  • Severe pain at the time of injury.
  • A feeling of popping or tearing inside the wrist.
  • Tenderness at the injury site.
  • Swelling in the wrist.
  • Bruising that appears soon after injury.

    CAUSES

    Stress on a ligament that temporarily forces or pries the wrist joint out of its normal location.

    RISK INCREASES WITH

  • Contact sports such as boxing or wrestling.
  • Bowling.
  • Skiing.
  • Pole-vaulting.
  • Previous wrist injury.
  • Poor muscle conditioning.
  • Inadequate protection from equipment.

    HOW TO PREVENT

  • Build your strength with a conditioning program appropriate for your sport.
  • Warm up before practice or competition.
  • To prevent reinjury, tape vulnerable joints before practice or competition.

    WHAT TO EXPECT

    APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
  • Doctor's diagnosis.
  • Application of a cast, tape or elastic bandage.
  • Self-care during rehabilitation.
  • Physical therapy (moderate or severe sprain).
  • Surgery (severe sprain).

    DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

  • Your own observation of symptoms.
  • Medical history and exam by a doctor.
  • X-rays of the wrist and hand to rule out fractures.

    POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

  • Prolonged healing time if usual activities are resumed too soon.
  • Proneness to repeated injury.
  • Inflammation at the ligament attachment to bone (periostitis).
  • Prolonged disability (sometimes).
  • Unstable or arthritic wrist following repeated injury.

    PROBABLE OUTCOME

    If this is a first-time injury, proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability. Ligaments have a poor blood supply, and torn ligaments require as much healing time as fractures. Average healing times are:
  • Mild sprains--2 to 6 weeks.
  • Moderate sprains--6 to 8 weeks.
  • Severe sprains--8 to 10 weeks.

    HOW TO TREAT

    NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

    FIRST AID

    Use instructions for R.I.C.E., the first letters of REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION. See Appendix 1 for details.

    CONTINUING CARE

    If the doctor does not apply a cast, tape or elastic bandage:
  • Continue using an ice pack 3 or 4 times a day. Place ice chips or cubes in a plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a moist towel, and place it over the injured area. Use for 20 minutes at a time.
  • Wrap the wrist with an elasticized bandage between ice treatments.
  • After 72 hours, apply heat instead of ice if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments or ointments.
  • Take whirlpool treatments, if available.
  • Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decrease swelling.

    MEDICATION

  • For minor discomfort, you may use: Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Topical liniments and ointments.
  • Your doctor may prescribe: Stronger pain relievers. Injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to reduce pain. Injection of a corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone, to reduce inflammation.

    ACTIVITY

    Resume your normal activities gradually after clearance from your doctor.

    DIET

    During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

    REHABILITATION

  • Begin daily rehabilitation exercises when the cast or supportive wrapping is no longer necessary.
  • Use ice massage for 10 minutes before and after exercise. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of foam from the top so ice protrudes. Massage firmly over the injured area in a circle.
  • See section on rehabilitation exercises.

    CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF

  • You have symptoms of a moderate or severe wrist sprain, or a mild sprain persists longer than 2 weeks.
  • Pain, swelling or bruising worsens despite treatment.
  • Any of the following occur after casting or splinting: Pain, numbness or coldness beyond the wrist. Blue, gray or dusky fingernails.
  • Any of the following occur after surgery: Increased pain, swelling, redness, drainage or bleeding in the surgical area. Signs of infection (headache, muscle aches, dizziness, or a general ill feeling with fever).
  • New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
  • Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
    read more

    Email:

    Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
    Support forums
    Help desk
    F.A.Q.
    go
    home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

    © 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved