Sprain wrist

Everyone has experienced it: you’re exercising or rushing to catch the bus, you trip, and you instinctively catch yourself with your hands and arms. You get back up and it seems like nothing is wrong… until later that evening, when your wrist suddenly starts to ache. A sprain, bruise or even a fracture may have occurred.

A wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments surrounding the wrist joint are overstretched. These ligaments keep the joint stable. During a fall, the ligaments can stretch so far that small tears may occur. The wrist becomes painful and swollen as a result.

Cause of a Wrist Sprain

The most common cause of a wrist sprain is a fall. When you try to break the fall with your hands, the wrist can twist or absorb a sudden force. This overstretches the ligaments, which can lead to swelling and pain.