Acute wrist sprain

What is it?

Acute wrist pain is generally an injury causing inflammation to, or a partial or complete tear of the ligaments of the small bones in the wrist.

Symptoms

Sudden onset of pain and swelling in the wrist, usually occurring in association with a specific injury or event.

Incidence

Relatively uncommon. Although the symptoms may be relatively minor, this is frequently a relatively severe injury.

Key Points - History

• Mechanism of Injury – Fall, trauma, implement, twisting injury, duration of symptoms, activity

• Pre-existing pathology

• Hand dominance and occupation

Red flag conditions include:

• Significant trauma

• New deformity

• Neurological or vascular complications

• Fever

• Severe unrelenting, night time pain

• Patient over 50 years of age

• Weight loss

• History of cancer

• Intravenous drug use

Yellow flag conditions include:

• Attitudes and beliefs about pain

• Emotions

• Behaviour

• Family

• Compensation issues

• Work

• Diagnostic and treatment issues

• Workplace conflict

Possible alternate duties:

• No repetitive/tight gripping with the affected hand

• Maximum lift 5 kgs

• Avoid overhanging gripping with the affected hand

• Avoid using the affected hand

• Avoid using impact or vibration tools with the affected hand

When to Consider Referral for a Specialist Opinion:

• The presence of any red flag conditions

• The worker has had more than two weeks certified unfit for duties, or more than one month on selected duties

• The worker has had more than three weeks off work, or on selected duties and has significant yellow flag conditions

• Not back at pre-injury duties within six weeks of the injury

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