Can a Wrist Sprain Get Worse?

A common car accident injury is a wrist sprain. Wrist sprains are very uncomfortable, and if left untreated or not treated properly they can lead to chronic pain and additional injury. A wrist sprain affects your daily activities, your ability to work, and the ability to perform tasks around the house. Wrist sprains happen so often in car accidents because the driver or passenger plants their hand against the dashboard or window to brace themselves for impact in a collision.

Symptoms of a wrist sprain

The symptoms of a wrist sprain caused by a car accident include the following:

• Feel like the wrist has popped
• The feeling of the wrist tearing
• Swelling
• Redness
• Localized pain
• Bruising
• Inability to grip items with your hand
• Pain can spread from the wrist to the hand

Treatment for a sprained wrist

If you suffered a sprained wrist in a car accident, you could be need any (or all) of the following treatments:

• Immobilization devices: Depending on the severity of the injury, you could be issued a cast, brace, or splint to immobilize the wrist so it can heal properly. This device might have to be worn for weeks on end so that it does not worsen.
• Pain medication: Whether the medication is prescribed or over-the-counter, it can help you live with the pain associated with a wrist sprain. The medication could also help reduce swelling.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapy is an option whether or not you require surgery for a wrist sprain. Physical therapy and other exercises help to strengthen the wrist, improve mobility, increase your range of motion, and improve flexibility in both the wrist and the hand.
• Surgery: Surgery for a wrist sprain is an option when there is a torn ligament in the wrist. Surgery will also be necessary if the bones in the wrist are damaged. A splint or cast will need to be worn for at least one month to help with healing.

How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?

The recovery time for a wrist sprain usually depends on how serious it is. According to WebMD, these injuries may take from two to 10 weeks to heal. But everyone heals at a different rate and how long it takes a wrist sprain to heal generally depends on the grade and treatment of the sprain.

Complications of a wrist sprain

A wrist sprain can worsen if it is not treated properly or if left untreated in the first place. When it doesn’t heal properly you are at a higher risk of the injury happening again or becoming chronic. A chronic wrist sprain is one that causes pain all the time, leads to instability in the wrist, and leaves your wrist weakened. It is also possible that you could develop arthritis in the wrist later in life, which not only affects the wrist but also the hand.

Did you suffer a wrist sprain in a car accident? If so, you should have it evaluated as soon as possible and follow all recommendations from the doctor for care. It’s also in your best interest to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney from Rocky McElhaney Law Firm. With offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Clarksville, you are just a short time away from experienced legal representation. Call our office at 615-425-2500 or fill out our contact form on our website today.