(08) 7008 7566
(08) 7118 5399
physio@upplus.com.au
177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton SA 5023Wrist Sprain
A wrist sprain is damage to the ligaments that hold the small bones of the wrist together, almost always from a fall onto an outstretched hand. Most settle well. The important early step is ruling out a fracture — particularly of the scaphoid, which is easy to miss on an initial x-ray and causes serious problems if it goes untreated.
What causes it
- A fall onto an outstretched hand
- A sporting impact, particularly in contact and board sports
- A sudden forced bend of the wrist under load
- Repeated loading on an already irritable wrist
What you might notice
- Pain and swelling around the wrist after a fall
- Difficulty taking weight through the hand
- Reduced range, particularly bending back
- Bruising developing over the following day or two
- Tenderness in the hollow at the base of the thumb — which needs a fracture ruled out
How we treat it
- Assessment for fracture first, with referral for imaging where indicated
- A splint or brace during the early painful phase
- Early gentle movement to prevent stiffness setting in
- Progressive strengthening and weight-bearing through the hand
- Proprioception and grip work before returning to sport
- Graded return to loading, pushing and gym work
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.
Rule out a fracture before treating it as a sprain
A scaphoid fracture can look like a sprain and does badly if missed. If you fell on your hand and it is tender at the base of the thumb, get it checked.
Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.