Sprained wrist
Wrist sprains are easy to dismiss, but a painful joint after a fall can sometimes mean more than a minor injury.
What is a sprained wrist?
A sprain damages one or more of the ligaments that connect the bones in your wrist. The injury can range from a stretched ligament to a complete tear. Specialists describe wrist sprains using three grades: Grade 1 – the ligament has stretched but remains intact Grade 2 – the ligament has partly torn, and wrist movement may be restricted Grade 3 – the ligament has torn completely or pulled away from the bone. It may take a small piece of bone with it, known as an avulsion fracture A severe tear can make the wrist less stable. Without the right care, some injuries may lead to lasting discomfort or wrist osteoarthritis.
What causes a sprained wrist?
A fall onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause. As your palm hits the ground, the force can push the wrist backwards and stretch its supporting ligaments beyond their usual range.
Sprains often happen during contact sports or cycling. An awkward twist or a direct impact can cause similar damage.
The same type of fall may also result in a scaphoid fracture or distal radius fracture.
What are the symptoms of a sprained wrist?
Pain often begins soon after the injury and may become more noticeable as swelling develops. Moving the wrist or gripping an object can make it worse.
You may also experience:
- Bruising or tenderness
- Difficulty moving the joint
- Weakness when holding something
- Clicking or a sense that the wrist is giving way
A sprain isn’t always easy to tell apart from a small break. However, our specialists will take the time to carefully investigate your wrist and confirm the right diagnosis.
How is a sprained wrist diagnosed?
Your specialist will want to understand exactly how the injury happened. They’ll examine different areas of your wrist and assess how the joint responds to gentle movement.
An X-ray can rule out a broken bone. If ligament damage is suspected, an MRI scan can show the soft tissues inside the wrist. A CT scan may be useful when more detail about the bones is needed.
How is a sprained wrist treated?
During the first couple of days, protecting the wrist and keeping it raised can reduce swelling. A cold pack wrapped in a towel can be applied for up to 20 minutes every two to three hours.
Pain relief may make the early stage more manageable. A pharmacist or doctor can advise you on suitable options, particularly if you’re considering anti-inflammatory medicine like ibuprofen.
Complete rest isn’t usually helpful for long. As the pain eases, carefully reintroducing movement can stop the joint from becoming too stiff.
Treatment routes for a sprained wrist
The extent of the ligament damage will shape your care. Most sprains settle with protection and gradual rehabilitation, while an unstable wrist may need surgery.
A splint or elasticated support can protect the ligament while still allowing you to use your hand for specific tasks. Your specialist will let you know when to wear it and how long it may be needed.
Hand therapy can help you regain movement without placing too much strain on the injured area. Strengthening exercises are introduced gradually as the wrist becomes more comfortable.
Recovery goals after a wrist sprain
Phase 1 goals:
Protect the wrist from further strain Use a wrapped cold pack to manage discomfort Raise your hand when you’re resting Move your fingers regularly
Phase 2 goals:
Reintroduce comfortable wrist movement Use your hand for light activities Follow your hand therapist’s advice Reduce your reliance on a splint when advised
Phase 3 goals:
Build up gripping and lifting in stages Practise movements needed for work or sport Return to more demanding activity when cleared Continue exercises until the wrist feels dependable
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
1 of 4