Wrist Sprain

Written by Sarah Gleim
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on April 24, 2025
4 min read

A sprained wrist is a common injury for athletes and nonathletes alike. All it takes is a momentary loss of balance.

If you slip, you instinctively use your hand to break your fall. Once your hand hits the ground, the force of impact can bend your wrist back toward your forearm. This can stretch the ligaments that connect your wrist and hand bones a little too far. It can cause tiny tears or — even worse — a complete break to the ligaments.

While falls are a common cause of sprained wrists, you can also get them by:

  • A direct blow or traumatic hit to the wrist
  • Putting extreme pressure on the wrist or twisting it

Wrist sprains are usually divided into three grades based on the damage to your ligaments:

  • Grade I (mild): Ligaments stretched but not torn
  • Grade II (moderate): Ligaments partially torn, causing some loss of function
  • Grade III (severe): Completely torn ligament and loss of function

Wrist sprains can happen to anybody, but they are most common during sports activities and often affect athletes, including:

  • Basketball players
  • Baseball players
  • Gymnasts
  • Skiers
  • Skateboarders

Symptoms of a sprained wrist can include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness and warmth around the injury
  • Popping or tearing in the wrist
  • Bruising
  • Loss of motion
  • Weakness

Even a mild sprain with little swelling could involve a torn ligament that could cause major problems later if it's not repaired.

Wrist sprain vs. fracture

A wrist fracture is when you break one of the small carpal bones in your wrist joint. But a wrist sprain is when you strain or tear the ligaments in your wrist that hold those bones in their correct position. Both injuries can be caused by similar accidents, usually from falling onto your hand. And they can have similar symptoms if the break isn't very bad, including swelling and pain. Your doctor will usually diagnose a wrist fracture with an X-ray.

To diagnose a wrist sprain, your doctor will give you a thorough physical exam. You might also need an:

  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • Arthrogram, a special type of X-ray or MRI done after a dye is injected into your wrist
  • Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery in which a tiny camera is inserted into your wrist

Treatment for wrist sprains depends on the grade and severity of the damage to your ligaments. Most minor wrist sprains should heal on their own, especially if you follow the RICE method. RICE stands for:

  • Rest your wrist for at least 48 hours.
  • Ice your wrist to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every three to four hours for two to three days, or until the pain is gone.
  • Compress the wrist with a bandage.
  • Elevate your wrist above your heart, on a pillow or the back of a chair as often as you can.

Your doctor might also recommend that you take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs ), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to relieve pain and reduce swelling. However, these can have side effects, such as a higher risk of bleeding and ulcers. You should use them only occasionally, unless your doctor specifically says otherwise. If your pain gets worse or lasts for more than 48 hours, let your doctor know.

More serious wrist sprains may need nonsurgical treatment options. Some of those could include:

  • A cast or splint to keep your wrist immobile. Follow your doctor’s advice about how long to wear it because a splint can cause more stiffness and muscle weakness in some cases.
  • Practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommends them. Consider working with a hand therapist to create a program specific to your needs.

More severe wrist sprains may require surgery to reconnect your ligament to the bone.

How long it will take for your wrist sprain to heal depends on how serious it is.

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year to fully heal.

During your recovery, avoid physical activity until:

  • You feel no pain in your wrist when it's at rest.
  • You can work out and grip and move objects — such as a ski pole, bat, or racket — without pain.
  • Your injured wrist, as well as the hand and arm on that side, feel as strong as the uninjured wrist, hand, and arm.

If you start using your wrist before it's healed, you could cause permanent damage.

Wrist sprains are hard to prevent because they're usually caused by accidents, such as falls. But you can lower your risk by being more mindful when you're doing things such as:

  • Walking on wet or slippery surfaces
  • Going up and down stairs
  • Stepping off curbs
  • Walking your dog

And when playing sports or exercising, always:

  • Warm up beforehand.
  • Wear the protective gear.
  • Don't ignore pain.
  • Cool down and stretch afterward.

How can I wrap a sprained wrist?

Starting at your fingers, wrap a bandage around your hand a few times. Then, wrap the bandage between your thumb and index finger, finally circling your wrist several times. Make sure it's not too tight, as it can cut off your circulation.

How can I massage a sprained wrist?

It depends on the type of wrist pain you have. For wrist sprains, massage isn't recommended for the injured area, especially during the first few days. However, gently massaging the surrounding muscles may help reduce swelling. You should talk to your doctor before trying a massage for your wrist sprain.