EBSCO Health

Print PageSend to a Friend
Health Library Home>Article

Discharge Instructions for Wrist Sprain

A wrist sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the wrist.

It is treated with home care, exercise, and medicine.

Steps to Take

Home Care

To ease swelling and pain:

  • Put an ice pack on the area. Do this for 15-20 minutes at a time, many times a day. Put a towel between the ice pack and your skin.
  • Wrap your wrist in elastic bandaging. Be careful not to wrap too tightly.
  • Raise your wrist above your heart.

You may need to wear a brace, splint, or cast. Use them as you were taught by your care team.

Physical Activity

You will be given exercises to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion. Keep in mind:

  • Keep pressure off your injured wrist.
  • Do not do things that cause pain.
  • Go back to work when your doctor has said it is okay.
  • Do not drive unless your doctor has said it is safe to do so.

Medications

Medicine may be given to ease pain.

If you are taking medicine:

  • Take your medicine as directed. Do not change the amount or schedule.
  • Know what side effects could happen. Tell your doctor if you have any.
  • Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
  • Do not share your prescription medicine.
  • Medicine can be harmful when mixed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking more than one, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

Follow-up

Your doctor may need to check on your progress. Go to all appointments.

Call Your Doctor If Any of the Following Occur

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

  • More pain or swelling
  • Tingling or numbness in your fingers
  • Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Symptoms that get worse

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American College of Sports Medicine
http://www.acsm.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.orthoinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org

REFERENCES:

Derry S, Moore RA, et al. Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD007402.

Heat and cold therapy: understanding rationale for use. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at:https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/nursing-reference-center-plus. Updated June 15, 2018. Accessed July 23, 2019.

Sprains, strains, and tears. American College of Sports Medicine website. Available at: https://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resource-library/sprains-strains-and-tears.pdf?sfvrsn=5b229fcf_2. Published 2011. Accessed July 23, 2019.

Wrist sprains. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00023. Updated April 2018. Accessed July 23, 2019.

Last reviewed June 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Laura Lei-Rivera, PT, DPT