Hand & Wrist Dislocation, Fracture & Sprain

Dislocations, fractures and sprains of your hand and wrist can happen after a fall or other injury.

A dislocation occurs when the ends of your joint are forced from their normal position, which can leave it temporarily deformed and immobilized. A sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament in the hand or wrist. Fractures are a partial or complete break in your hand or wrist that can occur at any spot in the bone. Osteoporosis can increase your risk of bone fractures.

Diagnosing Hand & Wrist Dislocation, Fracture & Sprain

Whether you’ve experienced a serious injury, a recent fall or an overuse injury, we can quickly evaluate and diagnose the source of your hand or wrist pain.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of hand or wrist dislocation, fracture or sprain include:

• Bruising
• Deformity
• Extreme and immediate pain
• Inability to use the joint or limb normally
• Numbness
• Redness
• Swelling
• Weakness

Diagnosis

We will examine your hand or wrist and may order one of the following imaging tests to diagnose your injury.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)— provides detailed images of your soft tissue and bones. Typically, we use MRIs only if we are considering surgery.
• X-ray—provides images of your bones and tissue.

Treatments for Hand & Wrist Dislocation, Fracture & Sprain

Treatment for hand or wrist dislocation, fracture or sprain varies depending on the severity of your injury. If your wrist or hand is dislocated, your doctor will put the joint back into place and immobilize it so it can heal. If the injury is a fracture, we reset the bones and cast. Medical intervention for a mild sprain isn’t usually necessary, but severe sprains require evaluation and immobilization.

Nonsurgical Treatments

When possible, we use nonsurgical treatments for a hand or wrist fracture, dislocation or sprain, including:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)—to alleviate pain and swelling.
• Cast, splint or sling—to keep your injury in place while it heals.
• Physical therapy—to stretch and strengthen the area around the dislocation or fracture.
• Rest—limited activity allows your injury time to heal.
• RICE Method—Rest the joint, Ice the affected area, Compress the area with an elastic bandage and Elevate the joint.

Surgical Treatments

Depending on your injury, surgery may be your best option. We may suggest surgery if:

• A dislocation happens repeatedly
• You have a badly injured or torn muscle, ligament or tendon
• You have a serious wrist fracture