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  A WRIST SPRAIN refers to a tearing injury to the ligaments which stabilize the bones of the wrist joint. Some of the most disabling injuries of the wrist are due to ligament tears, making the medical evaluation of this problem very important. Common symptoms of both wrist FRACTURES and SPRAINS are pain and swelling in the joint. Fractures can also cause point tenderness, pain while at rest, and deformities. Both injuries can cause pain when attempting joint motion, lifting, or grasping. Evaluation of the injured wrist includes examination for tenderness to palpation, deformity, swelling, potential nerve injury, and vascular integrity (pulses, pink nail beds, feeling and movement in each finger). In most cases, bone x-rays will disclose fractures, and aid the physician in determining the best course of management.

  The anatomy of the wrist joint is extremely complex--probably the most complex of all the joints in the body. The wrist is actually a collection of many joints and many bones. These joints and bones let us use our hands in many ways. The wrist must be extremely mobile to give our hands a full range of motion. At the same time, the wrist must provide the strength for heavy gripping.

  The wrist is made up of eight separate small bones, called the carpal bones. The carpal bones connect the two bones of the forearm, the radius and the ulna, to the bones of the hand. The metacarpal bones are the long bones that lie underneath the palm. The metacarpals attach to the phalanges, which are the bones in the fingers and thumb.

  Treatment for most wrist sprains require rest and immobilization in a wrist splint. An elastic wrap (Ace bandage) may be used when the injury is less serious. Anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen), acetaminophen, or aspirin can be used for pain control. Close orthopedic follow-up is necessary in all cases of wrist injury to be certain of recovery. Joint stiffness and muscle weakness, after long immobilization in a cast, can be reversed with appropriate physical therapy and exercise. Your Orthopedic Surgeon can help you with the case management of wrist sprains and fractures. If you don't need surgery, range-of-motion exercises for the wrist should be started as pain eases. This is followed by a program of strengthening. Eventually you will be doing strength exercises for the arm and hand. Dexterity and fine motor exercises are used to get your hand moving smoothly.