sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks sprained wrist still hurts after 6 weeks

You need to be evaluated with xrays, because several things could have happened. Sprained wrist symptoms. My wrist occasionally feels painful whenever I pick up something, put pressure on my wrist or try move my wrist perpendicular. There was no one obvious moment of wrist pain, and I was pretty sore everywhere for a few days after. A sprain is a partial injury to a ligament. The scapholunate ligament that connects your scaphoid and lunate bones is the most commonly sprained ligament. Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Warm up before playing sports or working out. Use our free, interactive tool to help you understand more about what you are experiencing. Continuing to use your wrist after it is sprained may prolong your injury and lead to more pain and discomfort. Nerve or blood vessel damage. Its named after British comic Terry Thomas because the gap in the wrist bones resembles the gap between Terry Thomas front teeth. A sprained wrist happens when something stretches your wrist ligaments enough to damage them. 1 doctor answer 2 doctors weighed in Share Dr. Francisco Schwartz-Fernandes answered 27 years experience You need a doctor: I need more details to answer. If you put too much stress on your wrist before its healed, you can reinjure it and have a higher risk of complications and other injuries. Pain still and wrist weak. X-rays are often taken. A wrist sprain is an injury to the capsule and ligaments surrounding the wrist joint. originally published: April 3, 2016. Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. Daughters wrist swollen for 2 wks 3 days Drs said its sprain then hand & fingers swelled 2 days ago. X-rays showed no broken bones. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. But a sprain is still frustrating and painful. That said, this time frame can change based on the severity of the injury or tear. Now it only hurts on the joint/ligament beneath my thumb. If pain and swelling persist for more than 48 hours, however, see a doctor. This website also contains material copyrighted by third parties. 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 hand surgeon or specialist for further treatment. A doctor will need to assess the injury and determine the best treatment options to prevent either more invasive treatment later or permanent damage to the wrist. Prescription pain medications are not usually recommended. 22 Female White 90 lbs 4 foot ten Inches tall I have bipolar disorder, taking prozac and lamictal Anyway, I sprained my wrist falling off my longboard about 6 weeks ago. That is, could you ice it? I sprained my wrist 2 days ago and I took off the bandage today (48 hours later ) it still hurts ? You can usually treat a sprained wrist at home. Your symptoms like pain and swelling should improve as soon as you start treatment. Instead, healthcare providers sometimes call it the David Letterman sign or Madonna sign. Consider immobilizing your wrist with a brace or splint to prevent movement in the joint. A person may not easily be able to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture, or break. 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 order to treat a wrist sprain correctly, the doctor must determine the grade or severity of the sprain. Use two hands to lift and hold heavier objects. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4514919/), (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31855358/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. In some cases, if a sprained wrist does not improve after a period of waiting, your doctor may order additional imaging to see if there are injuries that cannot be seen on x-ray or during a physical exam. Go to the emergency room if you experience trauma or think you have a broken bone. More severe sprains can take 6 to 12 weeks, or longer. During surgery, the hand surgeon will reconnect the ligament. The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke. Is it red? Theyll set your bones (place them into their correct position) and repair your damaged ligaments. A sprained wrist is usually treated without surgery. 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. What is your thought about that? An unrecognized fracture of the scaphoid bone may be mistaken for a wrist sprain. The length of the recovery process and your outcomes will depend on the severity of the sprain. 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. Should you ice and elevate the injury? While ice is best right after an injury, heat can promote healing and reduce pain a day or 2 after the injury. 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. There are several different ligaments in the wrist that a person could sprain. 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. X-ray imaging will show bone fractures and wrist bones alignment. However, if they cannot tell whether the person has broken or sprained their wrist, they will likely order an imaging test, such as an X-ray. I am afraid that it is more then just a sprain. Ligaments support the wrist by linking the bones that make up the joint. However, it may take six to twelve months for your symptoms to settle completely, these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, swelling, and decreased strength. New patients can schedule an appointment online and fill out your patient information to save time. If it's not, that may be a good time to get evaluated. There are 20 ligaments in your wrist that support your eight wrist bones. Or should they? The primary cause of a wrist sprain is from a fall on an outstretched hand. Many problems can cause wrist pain. What would you recommend? A sprain is typically caused by a traumatic injury to the wrist, such as a fall on an outstretched hand, but can also be caused by repetitive use of the wrist such as seen in athletes who play racket sports or people who place a lot of stress through the wrist joint (boxers, gymnasts, weightlifters). An x-ray showing a gap between the scaphoid and the lunate from a sprained wrist (right) and a normal x-ray of the opposite wrist (left). But wrist pain can also result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, . Wrist tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon within the wrist. And the first question is, this hurts, is it broken or not? It was extremely painful for the first two weeks: a 7 on the pain scale. But wrist fractures you might go on for awhile with a swollen wrist and use it, not as much as you're used to. It's on the thumb side of the wrist and about an inch or so right before your wrist bends. It definitely hurts and there will be prolonged pain and swelling. from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, A feeling of popping or tearing inside the wrist. Make sure your home and workspace are free of clutter that could trip you or others. So he diagnosed a sprained wrist. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommend using the RICE method. Theyre naturally very flexible and tough. The bones of the wrist are held together by cartilage and ligaments these are dense fibrous connective tissues. 14,608 satisfied customers. In this case, your surgeon will make a cut in the back of your wrist. Moderate sprains may need to be immobilized with a wrist splint for one week or more. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. If you have sprained your wrist, consider renting a cold therapy system for home use. Look for inflammation. How long does it take to heal? When can I resume physical activity or play sports again? Even if it is just a sprain, its important to allow it to properly heal before resuming normal activity. Articular cartilage and ligaments allow the bones of the wrist to slide along each other while in a proper position. A grade III sprain - completely torn or ruptured ligament. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other forms of arthritis can make wrists tender and swollen. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the two most common ligaments that people sprain are the scapholunate ligament (which is located in the middle of the wrist) and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (which is located near the outside of the wrist). Most sprains heal without any problems in six to twelve weeks. The ligaments in the wrist help to keep the bones in proper position and stabilize the joint. Xrays and MRIs are normal but still swelling. Doctors may prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs such as ibuprofen to alleviate pain. The proximal wrist bones articulate with the radius and ulna, while the distal carpal bones connect with the metacarpals. X-rays are taken and sure enough unfortunately they have a wrist fracture. Expert Answers: Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries. Pain and swelling can develop over several days and may last anywhere from a few days to six weeks. Dr. Miller: How long before a wrist fracture heals typically? Second, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can cause wrist . You might also need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan. For non-surgical wrist sprain, recovery usually takes a short time (about 1 to 2 weeks). 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. Get answers from Hand Surgeons and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. This article covers everything a person needs to know about the symptoms, treatments, and recovery times associated with sprained wrists. Tenderness in certain areas may also be consistent with a broken bone. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Usually in that case, if the pain subsides over the next few days, it's typically considered a wrist fracture. Splints, pain relievers and rest can alleviate wrist pain. Sprains of the wrist are fairly rare in everyday life and in the workplace. Dr. Tyser: Right where your wrist bends. The pain occurs in the location of the injury and is often felt in multiple locations around the joint. 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 ? 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. Stretching and strengthening exercises that decrease muscle stiffness and increase the range of motion of the wrist joint are often prescribed for recovering patients. A jammed finger causes swelling, difficulty moving the finger, and pain. A sprained wrist is painful. What is the latest research on the form of cancer Jimmy Carter has? Wrist sprains are common injuries. You may sprain your wrist if you fall onto an outstretched hand. Avoid using your wrist for 48 hours. To learn more, please visit our. Ignoring continued pain can lead to severe issues. Staying in the game: Preventing common hand and wrist injuries in basketball [Blog]. Keep your arm elevated and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). This makes the joint and ligaments show up more clearly on an imaging study. Ligaments are the strong connective tissues that connect bones to other bones. Tell them if that movement hurts or when it hurts most. Surgery is followed by a period of rehabilitation that includes exercises to strengthen your wrist and restore range of motion. Some specific causes of sprained wrists can include: According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, outdoor activities and sports are common causes of injuries to the wrists. They will also ask about how the injury . For athletes, sprains and other injuries to the wrist or hand account for 3% to 9% of all sports . Check out our news and stories in our blog. 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. I have severe, constant pain in my thumb that has worsened over the past 24 hours. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of wrist tendonitis here. These symptoms include: bruising. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Duration of complaint 2 weeks Location Any existing relevant medical issues Current medications Include a photo if relevant Hi! For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. How do I treat my sprained hand/wrist? 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. The hand is of constant use for various activities. But wrist pain also can result from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. For most people, a sprained wrist is both inconvenient and uncomfortable. Redness and warmth are often observed in recently sprained wrists. Wrist sprain still hurts after after 6 weeks. They can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments. If you have a moderate or severe injury, recovery might last 6 to 8 weeks. See a hand specialist? This information is provided as an educational service and is not intended to serve as medical advice. 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? The wrist may look like it's not straight. Cookie Notice The most common example of this is an occult fracture of the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist. Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Mild wrist sprains will usually improve with home treatment that includes the RICE protocol: Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help reduce pain and swelling. 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. Surgery is more likely when a person has sustained a complete ligament tear. Most wrist sprains have a positive prognosis. We avoid using tertiary references. I dont often write reviews for Doctors offices..But this office is really exceptional in terms of service and my wrist is now great! Doctoral Degree. Your provider will diagnose your injury and suggest treatments thatll get you back to your usual activities as soon as possible. Dr. Miller: How would you know? My 12 year old daughter hurt her wrist in gym class. The wrist is a joint that comprises the carpal bones. How should i treat my sprained hand/wrist after 6 weeks it is still very painful? Is it swollen? My wrist hurts when I put weight on it, particularly when it's bent backwards. Dr. Tyser: Sometimes it's really obvious. While your body is mending, there are things you can do to help speed up the healing process, and there are also activities you should try to avoid. 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. Therapy without wires or standalone electrodes, Home Hand/Wrist 4 Things NOT to Do When You Have a Sprained Wrist. What are the common ways that we get wrist fractures? The wrist is usually bent backwards or into an abnormal position. 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. What could be the issue. There are many ligaments in the wrist that can be sprained. I have severe, constant pain in my thumb that has worsened. Wrist injuries are common and can happen to anyone during everyday activities. It is very important that the doctor rule out confounding diagnosis since wrist sprain shares similar symptoms with other hand injuries. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Wrist sprains are common injuries that are usually caused by falls or sports injuries. 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. People can often expect to feel at least somewhat better within 6 weeks. I saw the doctor the day after I hurt my wrist. Ligaments are strong, fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones. and our Visit a healthcare provider to make sure you didnt damage the bones or other tissue in your wrist when you were hurt. But if the pain is not getting better and persists and the swelling gets worse, difficult use to the hand, etc., many times an X-ray is warranted to determine if it is a wrist fracture or not. Dr. Knight may be able to help you virtually with an online virtual consultation. Up-to-date information sent to your inbox. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons grade sprains into three categories, ranging from mild to severe. Privacy Policy.