Published on: November 18, 2024 | Updated on: January 18, 2025
The wrist is made up of eight carpal bones that form a joint at the end of our forearm. As a complex joint consisting of the two ends of the arm bones (radius and ulna), eight carpal bones (wrist bones), and five metacarpal bones of the fingers, the wrist allows hand movement.
All of these bones of the wrist are attached to each other through connective tissues called ligaments. Any injury or trauma to the ligament is called a sprain.
Increased tenderness around the wrist with bruising is a major symptom of stretched ligaments. Accidentally spraining a ligament in the wrist can make you question: how long does a sprained wrist take to heal?
The extent of the injury determines the recovery period. Let’s look into the factors that affect recovery time according to the severity of the injury.
Types of Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains make your wrist hurt when you put pressure on the joint, as it is due to overstretching or tearing of the ligaments. Wrist sprains are typically classified into three grades.
- Mildy overstretched ligaments without joint instability
- Partially ruptured ligaments with no or mild joint instability
- Completely ruptured ligaments with severe joint pain and instability
The wrist region hurts when the torn ligaments are pulled by pressure during hand movements. Therefore, wrist sprains are considered serious injuries. Neglecting the pain can worsen the condition.
What Are the Symptoms of a Sprained Wrist?
A sprained wrist is quite painful. Here are the symptoms that accompany the strain.
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Warmth around the wrist
- Limited mobility or loss of mobility
- Numbness in the hand and fingers
- Radiating pain in the forearm
How Long Does a Sprained Wrist Take To Heal?
Wrist sprains with tiny tears to the ligament take about two to ten weeks to heal. However, serious injuries such as a completely broken ligament take a long time to heal.
Serious injuries are accompanied by swelling, inflammation, and chronic pain. The more severe the injury is, the longer it takes to heal.
If you’re questioning, “How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?” Look into the recovery time below to find an answer.
Grade 1: Mild Sprain (1-3 Weeks)
Mild sprains are common wrist injuries that heal quickly. These grade-one injuries are the least severe. Mild sprains happen due to minor stretching of the ligaments.
Microscopic tearing can also cause a mild sprain. Symptoms involve mild swelling and discomfort. However, it does not affect wrist movement or limit mobility.
Mild sprains take about one to three weeks to heal completely. RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) speeds up the healing time. Most grade-one injuries don’t require a wrist brace. You can focus on gentle exercises to improve hand mobility.
Grade 2: Moderate Sprain (4-6 Weeks)
Grade two injuries consist of tearing of the ligament. These moderate sprains recover in about four to six weeks. They cause swelling, intense pain, and restrict movement.
Most sports and outdoor activities cause moderate sprains if you fall onto the outstretched hand. Physical therapy is required to restore mobility. Your doctor may recommend a wrist splint and prescribe anti-inflammatory medicines to speed up healing and reduce pain.
Grade 3: Severe Sprain (2-3 Months or Longer)
Severe wrist sprains are classified as a grade-three injury where the ligaments are completely torn. The recovery time for a severe sprain is two to three months.
In severe injuries, surgery may be required with extensive physiotherapy and strengthening exercises that restore wrist function.
This long-term injury causes sharp, constant pain that gets worse with movement. Noticeable swelling and bruising affect the wrist and limit movement.
It feels impossible to bear the weight of the hand or bend the wrist. A near-to-total loss of movement in the wrist joint accompanies these symptoms.
Common Causes of Wrist Sprains
A wrist sprain is a common injury resulting from a direct trauma to the wrist region. Here are the most common causes of wrist sprains.
- Falling on an outstretched hand or arm
- Accidental slips that injure the wrist
- Abrupt twist or hyperextension
- Direct impact to the wrist from a fall, accidental, or collision
- Repetitive use of the wrist without rest
- Forceful bending of the wrist during high-impact activities
How Is a Wrist Sprain Diagnosed?
Torn ligaments with minimal swelling can be mistaken for mild injury, which is why proper diagnosis is important. You should know the extent of the injury to avoid long-term problems.
Abnormal wrist motion and instability of the carpal bones are difficult to diagnose. They require diagnostic radiology, such as X-rays for radiographs. X-rays don’t show injured ligaments, but they display signs of a sprain, such as abnormal bone spacing.
Severe wrist sprains are more difficult to diagnose. They require MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). MRI shows the ligaments clearly, highlighting the partial and complete ligament tears. The detailed view of MRI makes it the best diagnostic technique for soft tissue injury such as a sprained wrist.
Factors Affecting the Healing Time of Wrist Sprains
How long does a sprained wrist take to heal? Understanding some factors that influence the healing time may help you find an answer for delayed healing.
The recovery period for wrist sprains varies due to some factors. The most critical factor is carpal stability, which relies on the intra-articular and intracapsular carpal ligaments, which are the primary wrist stabilizers. These ligaments take a long time to heal.
Other factors that affect the healing time include the severity of the sprain. Grade one sprains heal quickly, while grade three sprains take about three months.
Your treatment options can affect the healing time. Following the healthcare provider’s instructions carefully can speed up recovery.
Certain medical conditions can impact the recovery time of wrist sprains. For example, individuals with arthritis may experience delayed healing.
Wrap Up
A mild sprain takes one to three weeks, moderate sprains take four to six weeks, while severe sprains may heal within three months or longer. You need an accurate diagnosis to treat the wrist pain in a timely manner, as any delay can make the condition worse.
Don’t neglect the pain, and seek immediate medical treatment if you doubt you have sprained your wrist. Neglecting the pain can cause loss of movement, inflammation, and chronic pain. Adhere to medical advice to avoid further complications.
Sources
Footnotes
- Bahr R, Alfredson H, Järvinen M, Järvinen TA, Khan KM, Kjaer M, Matheson G, Mæhlum S. The IOC Manual of Sports Injuries: An Illustrated Guide to the Management of Injuries in Physical Activity. Research Gate. June 2012.
- Lee DJ, Elfar JC. Carpal Ligament Injuries, Pathomechanics, and Classification. Hand Clin. 2015 Aug;31(3):389-98.
- Bond JR, Berquist TH. Radiologic evaluation of hand and wrist motion. Hand Clin. 1991 Feb;7(1):113-23.
- Shahabpour M, Abid W, Van Overstraeten L, Van Royen K, De Maeseneer M. Extrinsic and Intrinsic Ligaments of the Wrist. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2021 Apr;25(2):311-328.
- Mayfield JK, Johnson RP, Kilcoyne RF. The ligaments of the human wrist and their functional significance. Anat Rec. 1976 Nov;186(3):417-28.
- Lang A, Fuegener S, Hoff P, Rakow A, Jakstadt M, Gaber T, et al. Impaired Bone Healing in Patients Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis – Anti-Inflammatory Therapy As Confounder. Abstract Number: 29. ACR Meeting Abstracts.
References
- Carpal Bone. ScienceDirect. Accessed 09/11/2024.
- Sprains. Penn Medicine. Accessed 09/11/2024.
- Sprained Wrist. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 09/11/2024.
- Wrist Sprain. WebMD. Accessed 09/11/2024.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Cleveland Clinic. Accessed 09/11/2024.
CELLAXYS does not offer Stem Cell Therapy as a cure for any medical condition. No statements or treatments presented by Cellaxys have been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This site contains no medical advice. All statements and opinions are provided for educational and informational purposes only.
Dr Pejman Bady
Author
Dr. Pejman Bady began his career over 20 years ago in Family/Emergency Medicine, working in fast-paced emergency departments in Nevada and Kansas. He has served the people of Las Vegas as a physician for over two decades. Throughout this time, he has been met with much acclaim and is now the head of Emergency Medical Services in Nye County, Nevada. More about the doctor on this page.
Dr Pouya Mohajer
Contributor
Pouya Mohajer, M.D. is the Director of Spine and Interventional Medicine for CELLAXYS: Age, Regenerative, and Interventional Medicine Centers. He has over 20 years of experience in pain management, perioperative medicine, and anesthesiology. Dr. Mohajer founded and is the Medical Director of Southern Nevada Pain Specialists and PRIMMED Clinics. He has dedicated his career to surgical innovation and scientific advancement. More about the doctor on this page.