How do I know if my wrist pain is serious?

Not all wrist pain requires medical care. Minor sprains and strains usually respond to ice, rest and over-the-counter pain medications. But if pain and swelling last longer than a few days or become worse, see your doctor.

When should you get wrist pain checked?

Wrist pain usually starts after hours of continuously using your hands without resting. However, if the pain persists despite giving your wrists a break, then you should see your orthopedic doctor. Chronic wrist pain may indicate an underlying condition such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

How long should wrist pain last?

Your wrist hurts because you have stretched or torn ligaments, which connect the bones in your wrist. Wrist sprains usually take from 2 to 10 weeks to heal, but some take longer. Usually, the more pain you have, the more severe your wrist sprain is and the longer it will take to heal.

What doctor do I go to if my wrist hurts?

Although you may initially consult your family physician, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in joint disorders (rheumatologist), sports medicine or even an orthopedic surgeon.

Should I go to the ER for wrist pain?

1. Get Immediate Help, if Necessary. If there is obvious deformity, severe pain, numbness, or the person cannot move the wrist or maintain a grip, see a doctor immediately or go to a hospital emergency department. These are signs of a possible fracture.

What does tendonitis feel like in the wrist?

The pain of wrist tendonitis is not particularly severe. It’s often described as more of a dull, passive ache than a sharp, intense pain. Wrist tendonitis can decrease the range of motion in your hand, and you may experience weakness when performing routine motions, such as: gripping.

How can you tell if a wrist is sprained or broken?

Wrist sprains are often signaled by a “popping” noise at the time of the incident – characteristic of a torn ligament. Fractures, on the other hand, are often accompanied by a crack, and movement after the injury may make a small grinding or crunching sound which is not present with sprains.

How can you tell if wrist is sprained or broken?

If you have a wrist sprain, you may be able to move the wrist in a range of motion. It may be painful, but you will still be able to do it. That usually means the bones are not broken, and you have a sprain. Another sign of a wrist sprain is that there are swelling and redness around the sprained area of the wrist.

What is radial wrist pain?

Radial wrist pain can be caused by sprains, strains, trauma, fractures, or from a repetitive wrist movement causing an overuse syndrome of the wrist. This patient was diagnosed with intersection syndrome, a type of repetitive motion injury.

How do you know if you tore a ligament in your wrist?

What are the Signs or Symptoms of Wrist Ligament Tears?
  1. Swollen and painful wrist.
  2. Limited movement of the wrist and/or hand.
  3. Feeling of popping or tearing sensation in the wrist.
  4. Warmth and tenderness around the injury.
  5. Bruising of the wrist.
  6. Instability of the wrist.

What does a fractured wrist feel like?

Signs and Symptoms of a Wrist Fracture

You may have difficulty using your hands or wrist along with numbness and tingling in the fingers. There may be pain as you try to move your fingers, especially when trying to grip an object. Bruising is also a very common symptom associated with wrist fractures.

Can you move your wrist if it’s fractured?

When the wrist is broken, there is pain and swelling. It can be hard to move or use the hand and wrist. Some people can still move or use the hand or wrist even if there is a broken bone.

What does a Scapholunate ligament tear feel like?

The symptoms of scapholunate ligament injury are: Pain and swelling at the wrist joint. Pain aggravated by weight bearing, for example during a press up. Wrist instability and weakness.

What happens if a wrist fracture is left untreated?

A scaphoid fracture can lead to wrist osteoarthritis, especially if the fracture is untreated and does not heal correctly. This is called “nonunion.” Severe cases of this kind of osteoarthritis can lead to an incorrect alignment of wrist bones in what is called scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC).

Can a fractured wrist heal without a cast?

Technically speaking, the answer to the question “can broken bones heal without a cast?” is yes. Assuming conditions are just right, a broken bone can heal without a cast. However, (and very importantly) it doesn’t work in all cases. Likewise, a broken bone left to heal without a cast may heal improperly.

Will xray show torn ligament in wrist?

Although an x-ray will not show the ligaments themselves, it can suggest a ligament injury if the wrist bones do not line up correctly. An x-ray can also help your doctor rule out a broken bone in your wrist.

Do you need surgery for torn ligament in wrist?

Grade 3 (fully torn) wrist ligaments usually require surgical treatment to reconnect the torn ligament with the bone. After surgery, most patients go through a period of rehabilitation and physical therapy to strengthen the wrist and restore motion.

Can a torn ligament in wrist heal without surgery?

Grade 1 and 2 ligament injuries can heal without surgical intervention. Doctors will use a combination of bracing, physical therapy, heat therapy, and medication to help with healing.