A sprain in your wrist is when you have overstretched your ligaments and may have slightly torn your ligament. However, if you have sprained your wrist, the majority of your ligament remains intact and there is no full tear through the ligament. Proper rest and splinting are vital to your recovery. Overuse of the wrist prior to healing can lead to significant long term issues, including the development of scar tissue, chronic pain and impaired functioning.
Acute Phase
The first 24 hours following your injury, it is crucial that you completely rest your wrist and see an orthopedic physician to determine the extent of your injuries. Your severely sprained wrist will need to be splinted or wrapped with an elastic wrap to stabilize it and promote total rest. Your physician will direct the length of time you should spend wearing your splint, which is often four to six weeks, but could be up to several months for the most severe sprains. Use ice and elevation during this rest period to control swelling and pain.
Why Rest?
You may prefer not to rest your wrist after injury. However, because of the nature of your injury, you can cause additional injury such as a complete ligament rupture, which can result in surgery. It is essential to follow the recommendations of your physician to avoid further injury and promote healing. Refrain from using the arm in the brace or wrap, as this will cause undue strain on your ligament. Rest your hand completely until instructed to begin use by your physician. Once you have initiated use, gradually reintroduce your hand into functional activities, as over-strain at the start of use can result in re-injury or debilitating pain. Allow your pain level to indicate your participation in activities, discontinuing any activity that causes increased pain.
Exercise
At the appropriate point in your recovery, usually six weeks after your injury, you should begin exercise to rehabilitate your injured ligament and your weakened muscles surrounding your injury. Start with active range of motion, moving your wrist up and down, side to side, and in clockwise and counterclockwise circles. Limit your movements to the point at which you experience pain. Once you are able to tolerate full movement with no increased pain, perform the same exercises with a 1-lb. dumbbell, increasing the weight gradually over time as you can tolerate.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy may be indicated to assist in your recovery and strengthening, particularly with severe injuries. Your PT may use massage and ultrasound to break up scar tissue that may have formed as your ligament healed. The scar tissue can impede movement of the joint and the reduction of the scar tissue can contribute significantly to your recovery. Your PT can teach you additional ligament and muscle-specific exercises to focus your exercise regimen. Other modalities such as electrical stimulation or infrared heat treatment can be used to reduce pain and encourage tissue healing.
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