Tips for Recovering From a Sprained Wrist

Man suffering from wrist pain, isolated, black and white photo. Causes of pain include sprained wrist, red spot. Healthcare concept
It doesn’t matter how you acquired a sprained wrist; the recovery period is the same. As you start to heal, there are ways to speed up the process. However, there are also ways to cause a setback in recovery. Here are four things to avoid while you’re healing from a sprained wrist.
- Don’t ignore the injury. So many tend to think a sprained wrist isn’t that big of a deal. However, continuing to use your wrist as if it were unharmed can prolong your injury, leading to more pain for you to deal with. Get plenty of rest during this time and don’t partake in activities that could stress the wrist. A brace or splint is great to use, as they prevent movement in the joint.
- Go easy on the meds. If you’re taking over-the-counter medicine to help control the pain and discomfort, go by the directions on the label. Don’t overmedicate yourself, no matter how bad the pain may be. Overconsumption can lead to unwanted side effects as well as mask your symptoms, which can trick you into using your wrist only for it to hurt worse later after the medicine has worn off. If you have taken some medicine and you’re still in pain, try applying ice to your wrist and elevating it to the same level of your heart.
- Don’t downplay the injury. It may not seem like a big deal for you to have a sprained wrist. But, depending on how serious the injury is, it’s possible you may have a bone fracture or a torn ligament – both require the care of a medical professional. Consult with a doctor about the injury if it hasn’t healed after a few days.
- Don’t be careless after recovery. Many only sprain their wrists once in their lifetime; but once you have, it’s easy to re-injure yourself if you aren’t careful. Practice stretching and strengthening exercises to prevent future injury; these can help maintain alignment and overstretching in muscles and ligaments.