Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe(opens in a new tab), MD — Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Subspecialty Certified in Hand Surgery
Key Takeaways
- A sprained wrist is an injury to one or more of the ligaments that connect the small bones of the wrist, ranging from a mild stretch to a partial or complete tear.
- Pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and stiffness are the most common symptoms, but they overlap with a fracture, so an exam and X-rays are the reliable way to tell the two apart.
- Most sprains heal with rest, ice, compression, elevation, a splint, and hand therapy, with mild sprains often improving in two to four weeks and more serious ones taking longer.
- A wrist that stays painful, swollen, or unstable after the first week or two may have a ligament tear or a hidden fracture, such as a scaphoid fracture, and should be evaluated.
- Surgery is generally reserved for complete ligament tears, an unstable wrist, or symptoms that continue despite non-surgical treatment.
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What Is a Sprained Wrist?
A sprained wrist is a stretched or torn ligament in the wrist. Ligaments are the tough bands of tissue that connect bone to bone, and the wrist has many of them holding its eight small bones together. A mild sprain stretches a ligament, a moderate sprain partially tears it, and a severe sprain tears it completely and can leave the wrist unstable.
A wrist sprain(opens in a new tab) is among the most common wrist injuries, and treating it is one part of broader hand and wrist(opens in a new tab) care. Because the symptoms can feel just like a broken bone, a sprain that isn't improving deserves a closer look.
What Causes a Sprained Wrist?
The most common cause is a fall onto an outstretched hand, when the wrist bends backward under the weight of the body. Forceful twisting, awkward landings, car accidents, and sudden heavy lifting or gripping can also stretch or tear the ligaments. You don't have to fall to sprain a wrist, and repeated stress from sports or work can contribute.
Falls and athletic activity are the main triggers, particularly in contact and racket sports. If you play sports, see how sports injuries(opens in a new tab) are evaluated and treated, and read about pickleball injuries(opens in a new tab) to understand why the wrist is so often involved.
Symptoms of a Sprained Wrist
Symptoms usually start right away or within a few hours of the injury and often include:
- Pain that is sharp at first, then often throbbing or aching, and that worsens with movement or pressure
- Swelling around the wrist, sometimes with bruising that appears over the next day or two
- Tenderness when pressing on the wrist
- Stiffness and difficulty bending, twisting, or bearing weight through the hand
- A weak grip
- A pop or tearing sensation at the moment of injury, or clicking, catching, or a feeling that the wrist may give way later
Pain from a sprain can feel very similar to the pain of a fracture, and a wrist that feels unstable can point to a more significant ligament injury. Neither can be reliably judged by symptoms alone.
How Is a Sprained Wrist Diagnosed?
A hand surgeon starts with how the injury happened and a hands-on exam that checks tenderness, motion, strength, and stability. X-rays rule out a fracture and can show whether the wrist bones are lined up normally. When more detail about the ligaments is needed, an MRI or other imaging may be used.
Several other problems can look like a sprain, including a distal radius fracture(opens in a new tab), a scaphoid fracture(opens in a new tab) that is easy to miss on early X-rays, and overuse conditions such as wrist tendonitis(opens in a new tab). If you are trying to sort out which one you have, this guide on whether your wrist is broken or sprained(opens in a new tab) is a good place to start.
How to Treat a Sprained Wrist
Most sprains heal without surgery. Treatment typically includes:
- Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain, especially weight-bearing and heavy gripping, so the ligament can heal.
- Ice: Applying ice for about 15 to 20 minutes at a time in the first couple of days can help limit swelling and pain.
- Compression: A snug, not tight, elastic wrap can help control swelling.
- Elevation: Keeping the wrist raised above the level of the heart helps reduce swelling.
- Splinting: A splint or brace protects the wrist while it heals, and Dr. Yaffe uses splints instead of casts whenever possible, including custom splints made by Certified Hand Therapists.
- Anti-inflammatory medication: Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can ease pain and swelling.
- Hand therapy: Once the pain allows, guided exercises restore motion and strength, and this article on hand injury recovery(opens in a new tab) explains how therapy helps.
Pain from repeated overuse rather than a single injury may be tendonitis, which is managed differently, and this guide to tendonitis treatment(opens in a new tab) explains how.
How Long Does a Sprained Wrist Take to Heal?
Recovery depends on how severe the sprain is. A mild sprain often improves within about two to four weeks, a moderate sprain can take four to eight weeks, and a severe sprain or a ligament injury that needs surgery can take several months before the wrist regains full strength. Swelling and stiffness usually fade before grip strength fully returns, and returning to sports or heavy work too early is a common reason for setbacks. If the wrist isn't clearly improving after the first couple of weeks, have it re-checked rather than waiting.
When Surgery Is Needed for a Wrist Sprain
Surgery is considered when a ligament is completely torn, the wrist is unstable, or symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment. Left untreated, a significant ligament injury can change how the wrist bones move over time and may eventually lead to wrist arthritis(opens in a new tab). Dr. Yaffe offers repair of soft tissue ligaments, using minimally invasive surgery(opens in a new tab) techniques where appropriate, and he reviews the expected benefits and risks with you before you decide.
When to See a Hand Surgeon
See a hand surgeon if your wrist is very swollen or looks misshapen, if you have numbness or can't move your fingers, if you can't bear weight through the hand, or if pain and swelling haven't started to improve within about a week. If you have already been to an urgent care or emergency room, this guide to care after ER(opens in a new tab) explains what to do next, and this article on how to tell a fracture or sprain(opens in a new tab) apart explains why X-rays matter. If you may have a fracture, you can also read about broken wrist(opens in a new tab) treatment.
Dr. Yaffe sees patients in Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), and Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab). To get started, schedule an appointment(opens in a new tab) online, and it helps to note how and when you hurt your wrist. Seek emergency care right away for a visibly deformed wrist, a wrist that is cold, pale, or numb, or severe pain after a significant injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sprained wrist feel like?
A sprained wrist usually causes pain that is sharp at the moment of injury and then throbbing or aching, along with swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and a weaker grip. Some people feel or hear a pop at the time. Bruising often appears within a day or two.
How long does a sprained wrist last?
A mild sprain often improves in about two to four weeks, and a moderate sprain can take four to eight weeks. A severe sprain or a torn ligament can take several months. Pain that isn't improving after a couple of weeks is a reason to be evaluated.
How do you treat a sprained wrist at home?
Rest the wrist, apply ice, use a snug elastic wrap for compression, keep the wrist elevated, and wear a splint or brace for support. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can help with pain and swelling. Home care is reasonable for mild injuries, but a wrist that is badly swollen or unstable should be examined and X-rayed.
Can you sprain your wrist without falling?
Yes. Twisting the wrist forcefully, lifting or gripping something heavy, a sudden jolt during sports, and repetitive stress can all stretch or tear wrist ligaments without a fall.
When should I see a doctor for a sprained wrist?
See a doctor promptly if the wrist is deformed, very swollen, numb, or too painful to use, or if you can't tell whether it is broken. Otherwise, have it checked if pain and swelling haven't started improving within about a week, since a hidden fracture or ligament tear can look like a simple sprain.
