How Do You Know If You Tore A Ligament In Your Wrist?

Ligaments are fibrous tissue bands that connect bones or bones to cartilage. Ligaments are strong, but they can become stretched or torn if enough force is applied. When one of the 20 wrist ligaments is injured, it results in a wrist sprain. Most torn wrist ligaments occur with an outstretched hand. Our wrist doctor Garden City can address torn wrist ligaments by diagnosing and treating them. At Hand In Hand Occupational Therapy, we are specialized in wrist sprains and other wrist injuries.

How to Diagnose a Torn Wrist Ligament

Our wrist doctor Garden City will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your medical history to diagnose a ligament tear in the wrist. Our doctor may also administer an X-ray to look at the wrist in more detail. The symptoms of your wrist will also be taken into consideration.

Symptoms of a Torn Ligament

If you communicate the following symptoms to our wrist doctor Garden City, then a sprained wrist may be diagnosed:

  • Pain

  • Tenderness

  • Swelling

  • Bruising

  • Difficulty moving

  • Muscle spasms

The Grading of Sprains

Torn ligaments or sprains are graded on a scale based on the severity. A Grade 1 sprain consists of a mild sprain that damages the ligament, but the tearing is not significant. A Grade 2 sprain is a moderate sprain with a partial ligament tear. A Grade 3 sprain is more severe. It consists of a complete tear with an unstable joint. 

A Torn Ligament Treatment

You should do the RICE method after obtaining a torn ligament in the wrist or other location. The RICE method consists of resting the injury to prevent further damage, icing it to limit swelling, compressing the injury with a bandage also to reduce swelling, and elevating it. After seeing our wrist doctor Garden City, we may recommend the following treatments:

  • Medication

  • Brace

  • Physical Therapy

  • Surgery

Connect With Our Team

At Hand In Hand Occupational Therapy, we handle torn wrist ligament injuries with the best care. Our wrist doctor will help you relieve your pain and reduce symptoms by providing treatment. Call our office to make an appointment to see our specialist for any of your hand injury needs.