What a wrist sprain is
The wrist is made of eight small carpal bones held together by many ligaments. A sprain is an injury to these ligaments. The scapholunate ligament, between two of the carpal bones, is one of the most important and most often injured in serious sprains.
How to tell if you sprained your wrist
- Pain after a fall or twist.
- Swelling and bruising.
- Tenderness when pressing the wrist.
- A popping or tearing feeling at the time of injury.
- Pain moving the wrist or gripping.
- Weakness or a feeling of the wrist being loose.
See wrist pain.
Sprain or fracture?
It can be difficult to tell a sprain from a fracture without an X-ray. Signs suggesting a fracture include deformity, severe pain, inability to move the wrist, and tenderness in the hollow at the base of the thumb, where the scaphoid bone lies. Scaphoid fractures may not show on the first X-ray and can heal poorly if missed, so they are often treated in a splint and re-imaged or assessed with MRI.
Grades and healing times
- Grade 1 (mild): stretched ligament; about 1 to 2 weeks.
- Grade 2 (moderate): partial tear, some looseness; about 4 to 6 weeks, often with a splint.
- Grade 3 (severe): complete tear; may need surgery and 3 months or more of recovery.
Early care
- Rest the wrist and avoid activities that cause pain.
- Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- Use a compression bandage or wrist support.
- Keep the hand raised.
- Take simple painkillers if appropriate.
- Remove rings early in case of swelling.
Splints and supports
A removable wrist splint protects the wrist for a short time. Using it for too long can cause stiffness and weakness, so gentle movement usually starts within days for mild sprains, guided by symptoms.
Recovery exercises
- Wrist bends: gently bend the wrist up and down.
- Side to side: move the hand towards the thumb and little finger.
- Forearm rotation: turn the palm up and down with the elbow bent.
- Grip: squeeze a soft ball.
- Strength: light weights or bands for wrist curls and extensions.
- Weight-bearing: gradually lean on the hand against a table, then the floor.
See forearm pain and sprained finger.
Returning to sport and work
Return to activities when you have near-full movement, good grip strength and little pain. Taping or a brace can support the wrist during sport at first. Heavy weight-bearing, such as push-ups or gymnastics, should be built up gradually.
When pain persists
Pain, clicking, weakness or a feeling of instability lasting more than a few weeks may indicate a more significant ligament injury, a missed fracture or a cartilage injury (TFCC) on the little finger side. A hand specialist or physiotherapist can assess and arrange imaging.
Wrist injuries in children
Children’s bones are softer, and their growth plates are weaker than ligaments, so a fall that would sprain an adult’s wrist often causes a buckle fracture or growth plate injury in a child. Children with wrist pain after a fall should usually have an X-ray.
Preventing wrist sprains
- Wear wrist guards for skateboarding, rollerblading and snowboarding.
- Learn to fall safely in sports.
- Strengthen forearm and grip muscles.
- Reduce fall risks at home for older adults.
When to seek urgent help
- Deformity of the wrist.
- Severe pain or inability to move the wrist or fingers.
- Numbness, tingling or a cold, pale hand.
- Tenderness at the base of the thumb after a fall.
- Significant swelling within minutes of injury.
Key points to remember
- A wrist sprain is a ligament injury, usually from a fall on the hand.
- Mild sprains heal in 1 to 2 weeks; moderate ones in 4 to 6.
- Scaphoid fractures can look like sprains and should not be missed.
- Early movement and progressive strengthening aid recovery.
Questions about sprained wrists
These answers are general information and do not replace an examination or individual medical advice.
How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?
Mild sprains take 1 to 2 weeks; moderate ones 4 to 6 weeks; severe ones longer.
How do I know if my wrist is sprained or broken?
Only an X-ray can confirm; deformity or thumb-base tenderness suggests a fracture.
Should I wear a brace for a sprained wrist?
Briefly for support; prolonged use causes stiffness.
Is heat or ice better for a sprained wrist?
Ice in the first 48 to 72 hours; heat later for stiffness.
Can I exercise with a sprained wrist?
Gentle movement helps; avoid painful weight-bearing at first.
Why does my wrist still hurt weeks later?
It may be a more significant ligament injury or a missed fracture.
What is the anatomical snuffbox?
The hollow at the base of the thumb, where tenderness suggests a scaphoid fracture.
Can a sprained wrist heal without treatment?
Mild sprains often do, but assessment rules out fractures.
When can I do push-ups again?
When you can bear weight on the hand without pain, building up gradually.
Sources
This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice. How a problem is diagnosed and treated depends on your examination and medical history. If you think you have an emergency, contact your local emergency services.