Sprains of the wrist joint: treatment, causes, symptoms

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Stretching of the ligaments of the hands means damage to the bundle of fibrous tissue that provides the articulation of the joint bone. This happens most often due to excessive mechanical stress when the physical strength of the ligaments is exceeded.

Sprains of the wrist joint: causes of injury

Stretching may affect the lateral (collateral) ligaments of the wrist joint (radial and ulnar), navicular-semilunar ligaments, semilunar-triangular ligaments, and the lateral ulnar ligaments. Among all injuries, injuries of the wrist joint are in the lead.

From an anatomical point of view, sprains can occur as a result of trauma, when tension is applied beyond their functional norm. To prevent the bone of the hand from moving out of position, the connecting fibers are stretched to the limit.

Thanks to this, the joints perform a very important function - limiting the mobility of the bone within the limits of their location.

The ligaments contain collagen and elastin fibers located in parallel. The former provide strength, and the latter are responsible for elasticity. The degree of strength directly depends on the transverse width of the ligaments, and their elasticity and ability to resist deformation - on the length. Thus, narrow and short tendons (namely, these are located in the hands) are less strong and elastic.

Most often, injuries concern the ligaments of the wrist joint, which are responsible for flexion, extension and circular movements of the hands. Sprains most often affect this area for the reason that the wrist contains a third of all bones in the hands, and they are all connected to each other through ligaments. Due to its complex anatomical structure and intense stress, the wrist most often suffers from injuries.

Traumatologists note that wrist sprain is mainly due to excessive tension, falling on a straightened arm, a strong blow, lifting heavy weights (especially with sudden movements), holding the body weight without support (this includes hanging and pulling up on the bar). Such injuries occur both in athletes and in ordinary people during physical education.

The most common causes of wrist sprains are as follows.

Hand bruises can occur as a result of a strong blow or when falling on the hand. Symptoms of contusion: edema, hemorrhage in the periarticular tissues and hemarthrosis. Hand injuries are characterized by sharp pain. During treatment, it is recommended to apply ice to a sore spot, immobilization, physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises.

Dislocations. Tendons can stretch as a result of a dislocation. Symptoms are: painful sensations, swelling at the site of injury and difficulty in brushing. Treatment of injuries received depends on the degree of damage; it can be conservative (using closed reduction) and operative (using open reduction).

After the joint is in place, a splint is prescribed for a period of 10-14 days.

Fractures. A fall on an outstretched arm can result in a fracture of the wrist joint. As a result, there is a sharp pain, severe swelling and deformities, sometimes even bruising. The appearance of a fracture may be due to decreased bone density. During treatment, a plaster cast is applied or the joint is spliced with the help of a surgical intervention.

Sharp movements. Intense or sharp flexion and extension, abduction and adduction of the arm, can cause a sprain, which is accompanied by a tear. The patient in such a situation complains of painful sensations and swelling of the joint. During treatment, ice is applied and a tight pressure bandage is prescribed.

Remember that any injuries or injuries to the hands require immediate hospitalization.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Joint Sprain

Stretching symptoms can vary depending on the stage of damage. If the degree of damage is mild, the pain is dull, aggravated by movement (flexion-extension of the hands) or from pressure on the joint. At the middle stage of injury, the pain is sharp, the palm is limited in movement, soft tissues swell (this is especially noticeable in the first days after injury).

With severe sprains, the tendons are torn.

This is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Intense sharp pain;
• Swelling;
• Redness of the skin;
• Subcutaneous hematomas (hemorrhages) in the area of damage;
• Complete immobility of the hand.

Diagnostics involves contacting an orthopedic traumatologist, who examines and prescribes fluoroscopy. If there is a suspicion of cracks or fractures, X-rays are taken in different projections. As a rule, such a diagnosis is sufficient to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Treatment of sprains of the ligaments of the hands

In 70% of cases, sprains and even ruptures of the ligaments grow together and return to their original state on their own. However, treatment may sometimes be required. Moreover, the earlier you start it, the faster and more efficiently the healing will take place.

Treatment involves, first of all, complete immobilization (immobilization) of the hand. To do this, you need to bandage it tightly, but not bring your fingers to blue. It is better to bend the bandaged arm at the elbow and fix it with a support bandage attached to the neck.

If a tendon rupture occurs from stretching, it is recommended to rigidly immobilize the hand using a plaster splint, which is attached with a special bandage. In the first days after injury, it is necessary to treat the edema with ice compresses. This will help reduce pain.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve inflammation and pain.

Most often, treatment is carried out with:

• Ibuprofen;
• Nurofen;
• Finalgon;
• Diclofenac;
• Voltarena;
• "Fastum Gel";
• "Nimesulide".

After eliminating the pain syndrome, doctors recommend a complex of physiotherapy procedures, including therapeutic exercises and electrophoresis.

Home treatment

Sprained tendons can be cured with the following folk remedies.

Raw potato compresses

Peel a raw potato and cut it into wedges. Place the wedges along the affected joint and rewind the top with a bandage. Leave the compress overnight. As a rule, after 2-3 sessions, the swelling subsides.

Onion compress

Cut one onion into small cubes and add a couple of tablespoons of sugar. Wait for the onion to let out the juice, then rub the palm of your hand with the resulting mass and bandage it with a bandage on top. Leave it overnight.

Garlic compress

Chop a couple of garlic cloves to a gruel state, and add a couple of drops of lemon juice. Moisten cheesecloth in the mixture and apply to the brush. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes.

Damage prevention

To avoid bruising and injury, take extra care when walking on wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces. Follow the safety rules when exercising in the gym. When carrying heavy weights, know when to stop: do not take everything at once, distribute the load into several jerks.

Remember that damage to the hands can develop into arthritis or arthrosis. These are more serious diseases that are practically incurable.