1. Don't Forget the Fingers
Wrist sprains are usually the result of a fall. Sticking out your hand is the first thing you do when falling to brace for impact. This means your wrist bears the weight of your body and the full impact of the fall. Because there are so many bones and muscles in the wrist and hand, it's important to immobilize as much of the area as possible, and that mean the fingers. Wrap a sprained wrist beginning well above the knuckles of the hand and work your way downward around the wrist joint.
2. Sprain or Break?
Because the wrist is such an easy area to break, often what we think is a sprain might be a wrist fracture. If you experience severe pain or swelling in the first few hours after a wrist injury you'll want to see a doctor and get an X-ray. An X-ray is the only sure way to tell if what you have is a sprain or a break. Your doctor or ER attendant can wrap a sprain for you if you don't need a cast.
3. Cast for a Sprain
Sometime a wrist sprain is so severe a doctor may recommend a cast. The wrist is such a difficult area to keep immobile that a cast is often a better option for the injured area. Casts offer freedom of movement for fingers without having to be so careful to keep the injury still. Usually wrist casts only stay on for a couple of weeks to give the injury time to heal.
4. Brace Yourself
If you have a severely sprained wrist but it's not enough to require a cast, your doctor may recommend a wrist brace. Wrist braces come in a variety of sizes and strengths depending on the injury. Some even use a hard shell exterior with an air pump to further immobilize the joint. These kinds of braces are available through your orthopedist and are easy to take off for showering and sleeping.
5. The Right Wrap
Once you're sure you only have a sprain and not a fracture, wrap your wrist at an angle with a compression bandage. Be sure to choose a bandage designed for wrist compression so your wrapping isn't too thick. Wrap all the way up around the base of the fingers and secure with enclosed hooks. Keep the injury elevated above the heart as much as possible to keep the swelling down.
