Causes of Wrist Sprain & Dislocation
Falling onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause of dislocations and sprains. When a bone dislocated it becomes displaced or misaligned, making the joint unstable and affecting the surrounding soft tissue. Sprains involve damage to the ligaments of the wrist, and are classes as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how badly the ligaments are torn.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
If you dislocate a bone in your wrist, you will feel pain and there may be swelling, tenderness, and loss of movement. When nerves and blood vessels are damaged, you may experience numbness or paralysis in your wrist and hand. If you have injured your ligaments, you will have bruising and are likely to feel pain during weight-bearing or twisting actions. Your doctor will make a diagnosis through physical examination and you may have an X-ray to determine the severity of the injury and whether you also have a wrist fracture.
Risks & Complications
If you leave a dislocation or sprain untreated, you may suffer a loss of strength and movement in your wrist, as well as impaired sensation in the case of dislocation. There is also a possibility that your injury may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment for Wrist Sprain & Dislocation
Wrist Immobilisation
- Immobolise the injured area and follow RICE procedure
Wrist Surgery
If you are diagnosed with a severe sprain or dislocation in which your ligaments are badly damaged, surgery may be recommended to realign your bone or repair the damaged ligament in your wrist.
