Identification

• Wrist injuries are common in sports and after falls. How do you know whether your wrist injury is a sprain, or something more serious? Sometimes it can be difficult to tell. Mild sprains may simply feel a bit sore following a fall, while more severe wrist sprains may cause extensive bruising and difficulty moving. Some can be as painful as a broken wrist. If you have had a wrist injury that causes intense pain and swelling, see a doctor. He will perform X-rays to determine if you have broken a bone or merely damaged a ligament.
  
  

Features

• When you sprain your wrist, you overstretch and sometimes tear one or more of the ligaments that hold your carpal bones together. Ligaments are made of a tough, fibrous tissue, and unlike muscles they do not immediately bounce back after being stretched. It takes time for ligaments to heal, which is why doctors instruct you to rest following a wrist sprain.
  
  

Types

• Wrist sprains are divided into three categories: grade one, grade two and grade three. Grade three is the most severe, in which ligaments are severely torn or even severed. If you have a grade three wrist sprain, do not be surprised if your doctor suggests surgery. Grade three sprains leave you vulnerable to instability in your wrist, which can cause further problems if left untreated. A grade two wrist sprain is one in which the ligament is only partially torn, though it can still be quite painful. Physical therapy may be required for a full recovery. A grade one sprain is the least severe, in which the ligaments have been stretched but remain intact. These usually heal with rest.
  
  

Considerations

• If you suspect you have sprained your wrist, what should you do? The first step is to see your doctor to rule out a fracture, and to determine the grade of your sprain. Unless you have significant damage to your ligaments, most doctors will recommend you follow the RICE treatment for sports injuries: rest, ice, compression and elevation. In other words, lay off the sports for a while. Whenever you can, put an ice pack on your wrist, and prop it up on several pillows. When your wrist is not on ice, wrap it in a stretchy bandage starting at the heel of your hand and heading toward your elbow.
  
  

Time Frame

• You can expect your wrist sprain to heal in as little as a few days, though you may feel pain or discomfort during activities for a few weeks as you recover. The more severe the sprain, the longer you can expect to be in recovery. Severe sprains may take weeks to heal. In the future, take precautions against wrist sprains by wearing a brace or wrapping your wrist before participating in sports.