A sprained wrist occurs when ligaments in the wrist are stretched too far. When a person falls, the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the wrist absorb major impact and can be stretched or torn.
A sprained wrist can cause pain.
Rest
The early stages of treatment for a sprained wrist require rest. After 24 to 48 hours, the injured individual can gradually begin to use the wrist, though she should not exert the wrist more than is comfortable. Using a wrist splint will help control movement of the muscles.
Ice
Immediately after the injury occurs, ice the area for 20 minutes every two to three hours using an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables to prevent swelling.
Compression
Another treatment for sprained wrists is compression. Use an Ace bandage to wrap the wrist, from the fingers to the middle of the forearm, to immobilize it and prevent further pain or injury.
Elevate
It's important to keep your wrist higher than your heart to prevent blood from rushing to it. A severe wrist sprain that is not elevated could lead to an arthritic condition.
Physical Therapy
Severe wrist sprains or broken wrists may require physical therapy to repair the muscles and ligaments. The therapy may last a few weeks to months, depending on the severity of the injury.
Tags: sprained wrist, muscles ligaments, treatment sprained
