sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks

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. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. 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. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question and I think I would typically do the normal things that we recommend for many relatively minor injuries to the wrist, that is ice, elevation, resting it, and observing it and keeping a close eye on it. Your symptoms like pain and swelling should improve as soon as you start treatment. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. I sprained my wrist 2 days ago and I took off the bandage today (48 hours later ) it still hurts ? 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. ">, DNV GL Public Information Policy Statement. The biggest benefit of this taping: it feels good. 2. 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. Slipped on the Ice? How to Know If Your Injury Is Serious | HSS Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. Several Bucks set to return after layoffs; Giannis' status uncertain First, it may occur after a lifetime of normal every-day use of the hand. Sprained wrist symptoms. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops. X-rays are often taken. For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Dr. Miller: How would you know? Moving the fingers may help prevent them from becoming stiff. When this happens, it is very likely that the hand or wrist bends or twists forcefully. The wrist may look like it's not straight. It might be hard to move or use your affected wrist. Sprained thumb: Treatment, recovery, and symptoms - Medical News Today For non-surgical wrist sprain, recovery usually takes a short time (about 1 to 2 weeks). I think it's important to know that wrist fractures in general are very common as are wrist sprains. In most cases, a sprained wrist will heal on its own and you can treat it at home. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. There's popping too. Wrist sprains are common during snowfall or ice storms. Dont play sports or do any activity that can put more stress on your wrist. It definitely hurts and there will be prolonged pain and swelling. Dr. Miller: Do you have a wrist fracture and what do you do about that if you have one? After surgery, the doctor will advise that the patient undergo physical therapy or rehabilitation. 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. But an accurate diagnosis is essential for proper . For an accurate diagnosis of a wrist sprain, the primary care doctor must obtain a detailed medical history, and occupational or work history on the patient. sprained wrist typically heal well, with minimal or no long-term symptoms. Try not to do activities that involve your. These provide stability to the joint and also aid movement of the wrist. Is this a sprain? Is My Wrist Sprained or Fractured? | University of Utah Health Kimball, H. (2015). By contrast, a sprained wrist affects a persons ligaments. Look for inflammation. I injured my wrist a week ago and it still hurts. The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain. Consultant Cardiologist. Proper diagnosis and treatment of wrist injuries is necessary to avoid long-term problems, including chronic pain, stiffness, and arthritis. It seems to be a commonly fractured area of all ages. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Even if it is just a sprain, its important to allow it to properly heal before resuming normal activity. Dr. Tyser: That's a great question. This is usually a break of the distal radius, which is one of the two bones in the forearm. I have severe, constant pain in my thumb that has worsened. Dr. Miller: Now there are many bones in the hand and sometimes if you have a fracture it may not be quite obvious and I think that's one of the things you were saying. The doctor can recommend treatments and check for possible broken bones. Avoid activities or sports that might cause trauma to the wrist. A sprained wrist happens when something stretches your wrist ligaments enough to damage them. X-rays may be obtained to rule out a fracture, joint instability, or arthritis of the wrist. They will also ask about how the injury . Consider immobilizing your wrist with a brace or splint to prevent movement in the joint. While ice is best right after an injury, heat can promote healing and reduce pain a day or 2 after the injury. Because so many factors can lead to wrist pain, diagnosing the exact cause can be difficult. Patients are encouraged to limit the use of the injured hand unless advised otherwise by the surgeon or physical therapists. This article covers everything a person needs to know about the symptoms, treatments, and recovery times associated with sprained wrists. Your doctor will then carefully exam your wrist to see where it hurts and to check how it moves. Immediate pain,couldnt move.4 days later can move but still very painful to touch and bit swollen. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. It typically hurts when you try to move the wrist, grasp objects (especially heavy objects), or with twisting motions. Sprained wrists are injuries or tears to one or more ligaments in the wrist. A wrist sprain is often characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness of the wrist joint. Wrist sprain still hurts after after 6 weeks. It hurts, but you're still able to move your sprained joint and bear weight in the location. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice pain or swelling in your wrist especially if you fell or hurt it playing sports. Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. Surgery is more likely when a person has sustained a complete ligament tear. Prescription pain medications are not usually recommended. A person can sprain their wrist through sudden movements, by falling, or during contact sports. This occurs when the wrist is bent or twisted forcefully, such as caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. This is especially important if the injury causes persistent wrist pain. 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. The primary cause of a wrist sprain is from a fall on an outstretched hand. Find a doctor or location close to you so you can get the health care you need, when you need it. The American Society for Surgery of the Hand suggest that people keep their fingers moving throughout recovery from a wrist injury. Usually in that case, if the pain subsides over the next few days, it's typically considered a wrist fracture. Most wrist sprains are minor injuries after your wrist ligaments are stretched further than their limit. Appointments 216.444.2606 Appointments & Locations Which is really the most important thing., Hand and Wrist Institute. Anyway, I sprained my wrist falling off my longboard about 6 weeks ago. Wrist sprains are common injuries that are usually caused by falls or sports injuries. Although the ligament usually heals in 8 to 12 weeks, it can take from 6 to 12 months for a full recovery. Ice: Fill a bag with ice and put it on the . Pain and swelling can develop over several days and may last anywhere from a few days to six weeks. Carpal ligament injuries, pathomechanics, and classification. If you dont, you may prolong the discomfort and possibly worsen the injury. Should you ice and elevate the injury? Have sprained wrist in the past few years. Copyright 1995-2021 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This injury can sometimes destabilize the wrist. X-rays. 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. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. This type of compression brace, or taping, supports the wrist by applying additional compression at the far end of the radius and ulna to assist with preventing spreading of these two bones. What would you recommend? I need more details to answer. If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy system for home use. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 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. 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 ? This might happen during everyday activities, but frequently occurs during sports and outdoor recreation. If you have chronic pain, you may need surgery. 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. Surgery may involve a minimally invasive procedure called arthroscopy. Severe sprains may require surgery to repair the fully torn ligament. Or go to the doctor for an X-ray? Home remedies for a sprained wrist At home, you can treat a mild wrist sprain with the RICE method: Rest. Trauma to the wrist can injure adjacent nerves and blood vessels. But wrist pain can also result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, . How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Wrist Sprain? When a person visits their doctor for wrist pain or a suspected sprain or break, the doctor will likely ask questions to learn more about what happened to cause the pain. If you are overly concerned, usually your body will tell you if things are getting better or not. Treatment for a wrist sprain depends upon the severity of the injury. Last medically reviewed on December 21, 2020. PDF ADVICE AFTER A WRIST SPRAIN - Royal United Hospital That's the typical area that breaks. Stretching and strengthening exercises that decrease muscle stiffness and increase the range of motion of the wrist joint are often prescribed for recovering patients. More severe sprains happen when you tear a ligament. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. 7 mo sprain wrist that is still very painful. Wrist Sprains: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend using the RICE method. 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? Because immobilization may cause some stiffness in your wrist, your doctor may recommend some stretching exercises to help you regain full mobility. You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. 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. Attempt to keep the wrist straight during most activities. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. What are the common ways that we get wrist fractures? We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Alternate 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. In some individuals, the wrist will become swollen and tender with ecchymosis (bruising with blue-black discoloration). Advertising on our site helps support our mission. All material on this website is protected by copyright. And many of these fractures are able to be treated with conservative measures, such as casting or even splinting. Wrist Sprain., www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/wrist-sprain-a-to-z, Sprained Wrist Treatment, Symptoms & Prevention.. How do I treat my sprained hand/wrist?