How to Heal a Sprained Wrist—STAT!

A sprained wrist is an extremely common injury among athletes and non-athletes alike.   It can definitely throw a huge wrench in your plans and leave you waiting on the sidelines.  In order to heal a sprained wrist, follow these tips and tricks that will get you back in the game!

Heal a Sprained Wrist in a Hurry

Follow the RICE Principle

  • Rest
  • Ice
  • Compression
  • Elevation
  • Pain medication
  • Joint immobilization

Go See a Doctor

If you think you have a sprained wrist, you should immediately see a doctor.  They will be able to look at it and analyze its severity.

It can be tricky trying to pinpoint what’s causing wrist pain if it’s not a sprained wrist.  Read this blog post for some of the most common wrist pain causes & symptoms.

The severity of a sprained wrist is typically broken into three grades:  mild, moderate and severe.  Treatment and the healing process for a mild sprained wrist differs greatly from that of a severe sprain.  Most sprains require time and rest while a severe sprain might require physical therapy.

Give it a Rest

Your sprained wrist will undoubtedly need time to heal.  Overworking your wrist if it is not healed fully could results in further injury and, worst case, permanent damage.

Ice it Up

Reduce any swelling or pain with some ice to the wrist.  Never apply the ice directly to your skin.  Instead, use a gel ice pack, frozen vegetables, cover ice with a towel or fill up a small plastic bag with ice cubes.

Elevate

Keep your wrist elevated above your heart to reduce swelling and increase mobility.  Try propping it up on some soft pillows when you sleep or are sitting on the couch.

Medication

Over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen or acetaminophen may help ease any of the pain from your sprained wrist.

Desert Hand Therapy can help you recover from your sprained wrist more quickly.  

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