All athletes know the feelings: the push, the drive, the elation when achieving a goal. Most athletes know this feeling: the dread when you hear something in your body pop that’s not supposed to. They know the anguish of having to take a step back from the level of intensity that they are used to. And, even though wrist injuries are not one of the most common sports-related injuries, they are still devastating when this common body part cannot be used to its full potential.
The hands and wrist are used in almost every sport, so the impact of a wrist injury can be monumental. Athletes, probably more than anybody, motivate themselves to push hard, so it is even more of a blow when told that they have to rest. However, knowing the proper steps in treating wrist injuries is crucial to the fastest recovery possible.
After the initial pain occurs, it is imperative that you stabilize your wrist by placing it on a soft pillow. If the pain is unbearable, anti-inflammatory medicine is suggested. When the injury is greater than these preliminary treatments, it is best to go to a medical center where they can conduct X-rays. If it turns out to be a sprain, and based on the severity of that sprain, most doctors will recommend either stabilizing wrap around the wrist or a brace for 5-7 days until a sprain is healed. Even if the wrist is broken, a wrap or wrist support is encouraged after the cast comes off to prevent further injury to the weakened joints.
An injury of any kind is disorienting to the athlete. The focus of training must shift gears into healing rather than perfecting. Please contact us for advice on which treatment method will work best for your injury, so you can get back in the game faster.