Broken or Sprained?

If you can't use the hand and in pain, you need to go to the Dr I think. Sometimes sprains can be more painful than breaks but it may be difficult to know which is which without an x-ray. Also, sprains sometimes still require braces or casts to heal correctly.

I broke my wrist about 15 years ago. I think you would know if it was broken. It hurts very bad within minutes, it swells up twice its size and I had to get to the ER fast. I was in a cast for 6 weeks and then a removable splint for another 4 weeks. Mine was a simple break and healed perfect, but I knew when it happened it was broke. I was riding a horse and it bucked me off; when I landed on my bottom I put my hand out behind me to keep from rolling over, but I broke my wrist. Can you move all your fingers and they are all pink and healthy looking? You may want to get an x-ray, but I would wait until tomorrow and go to your regular Dr.

Only way to truly tell is an xray.

I would get it looked at. It may be just a sprain but you could have torn something as well. When in doubt, call your doctor. Can you wiggle your fingers? Is there any discoloration?

Again, your physician is the best bet for answers.

J. S.

I recently twisted my wrist while changing out my seasonal closet and while on a step stool I had way too many (plastic) hangers in my hand and really twisted my wrist while coming down too quick. The next day my hand was swollen so bad I could not get any kind of ring on and my hand and wrist hurt. I happen to be going to my chiropractor for an adjustment and had him look at it and he did some things to my wrist and I went back a couple of times and it was ammazing how fast my wrist got well as well as the swelling went away in my hand. I know some people refuse to go to a Chiropractor but every time I have gone I have had amazing results.

Good Luck,
C.

i'd run up to carenow or some type of quick urgent care place, but not an ER - you'll be there all day and it'll cost way too much, but from what you're describing, i'd def get it checked out. i am in a similar boat, but with my ankle. i have NO idea what i did, have full range of motion, but it hurts worse every day... i'm on day 5 now, and still debating on what to do!

Hey there, my opinion is that it is just badly sprained or something. Usually when you break it you wouldn't be able to move it at all. You said you can move it, but that it hurts really bad to move it which probably means it is not broken. That is just my non-medical opinion from experience. Hope this helps.

LM,

There is NO WAY to know for sure except to have an xray. What steps would you take if this was your child? (exactly) If it is a fracture, you risk doing more damage to it the longer you wait. Schedule today!

First off take something for inflammation irregardless of pain. Like ibuprofen or naprosyn. Take regularly whether it hurts or not, or whether you think it helps the pain. To get anit-inflammatory properties you need to take it regularly and maintain a blood level. Then you need to immobilize it, so that you cut down on re-injury as the wrist tries to heal or basically stop aggravating it. You can get a hand/wrist splint that velcros and fits like a glove from Wal-mart, CVS or Wal-greens. Wear it. All the time. When you are not doing anything, elevate it above your heart by propping it on a pillow. Ice it for intervals of 20 minutes on the wrist in the most sore spots, and do this several times a day. If after 4-5 days you are no better then it is time for x-rays to rule out a fracture, even a hairline one. But the good thing is if you go now these are the things the doctor will tell you to do. You can go in there and tell him all the things you already did. So you will be ahead of the game. The injury is not necessarily an emergency. And can probably be scheduled with your primary doctor or family practice. If you don't have one then a CareNow or Trinity Express walk-in clinic would work. If you go to the ER now, they will take x-rays, rule out a fracture. If you have a fracture, they will tell you to do all the things above and refer you to a surgeon or orthopedic doctor, and send you home. If the x-ray shows no fracture, they will tell you to do the above things and tell you to follow up in about 3-5 days with your primary doctor. Just FYI, soft tissue injuries do not show up on x-ray. I would think that I would do the above things then see if it helps, and then go to the doctor, then rule out fracture if no improvement.
Good Luck,
L., RN

Hi L M,
Sounds like a sprain to me but you can never be to sure.
I just know from my experience any time I've broke something, I couldn't go longer than 2 hrs w/out going to the hospital. A sprain is very painful as well but you're still able to somewhat move around.
If it's broken, you won't be able to move it at all!
I would wait it out a little longer if you're not in extreme pain or it's not swolen.

Of course, that's just my opinion, you of course know your body better than anyone so make sure you get to the doctor if you can't take it anymore.
Hope you feel better soon! : )

Do you play volleyball a lot? If you do, you may have carpal tunnel. Any tingling or numbness? I've had carpal tunnel and had to keep my wrist/arm straight, whenever I bent it, that's when the pain would occur. Definitely get an X-ray, to see if it is sprain/strain or carpal tunnel.

Rest, elevate and put ice on it and take pain relievers.

I've had 3 surgeries on my right arm, my Dr. was great. He specializes in the hand. If you need a referral for an Orthopedic Suregon, let me know.

Hope you feel better, take care of yourself.

Why don't you put it in a splint for a few days? That is all a doctor (my husband) would do. A splint gives support and keeps the bones stable. If after a few days it still hurts then see a doctor and get an xray. Hope that helps.

It may be a fracture... I actually fractured my wrist about 4 weeks ago. The doctor put a brace on it and told me to wear it for 6 weeks and not to use it. But I can't even tell you how it happened.. so it must not of hurt right away, just woke up one morning and it was bothering me quite a bit. It didn't swell or bruise. I didn't like the brace the doctor gave me so I went and got a more comfortable one from Walgreens. Hope this helps.