How to Tell the Difference Between a Wrist Sprain and Fracture

Wrist injuries are common occurrences. Oftentimes, they happen when you extend your wrist to catch yourself during a fall or from a sudden twisting motion. But no matter how you incur a wrist injury, you may wonder if your wrist is sprained or broken.

Both wrist sprains and breaks require professional treatment to heal properly, but that process looks different depending on the type of injury.

Our team, led by Anand Shah, MD, Mehul Taylor, MD, and Adam Amir, DO, at Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California, understands that it can be tricky to determine the type of wrist injury you have.

So, we’re sharing how wrist sprains and fractures differ and how we treat each one in this month’s blog.

The differences between a sprain and a fracture

Although both wrist sprains and fractures are fairly severe injuries and can cause similar symptoms, they affect different parts of your wrist, which is why they need to be treated in various ways. 

You have 20 fibrous bands of tissue called ligaments in your wrist, and they connect and hold your bones together. While your ligaments are tough and flexible, they can still sustain injuries. A wrist sprain occurs when any of those ligaments become overstretched, damaged, or fully torn.  

There are eight bones in your wrist, and while there are tendons and ligaments that protect them, bone breaks, medically known as fractures, can still happen. A wrist fracture occurs when any bone in your wrist is broken.

Is your wrist sprained or fractured?

Both sprains and fractures can be incredibly painful and cause significant swelling and mobility issues. However, there are some telltale indicators that can help you better understand if it’s sprained or fractured.

Signs and symptoms of wrist sprains include:

• Quick and significant swelling
• Popping sounds at the time of injury 
• Some, but limited mobility
• No deformities

Signs and symptoms of wrist fractures include:

• Gradual swelling
• Cracking, grinding, or crunching sounds at the time of injury 
• Little to no mobility in your wrist and hand 
• Mild to moderate deformities 

If you can’t move your wrist at all and there are very noticeable deformities, seek prompt care from your nearest emergency room.

Treating wrist sprains and fractures 

If your wrist injury isn’t a medical emergency, you can simply make your way to our office so we can examine your wrist and diagnose the injury. 

We use imaging tests and physical exams to determine if your wrist is sprained or fractured and create a treatment plan from there. Treatments for wrist injuries can include immobilizing your wrist, limiting wrist movement, wearing a splint or cast, and physical therapy. 

To receive expert-level care for your injured wrist, schedule an appointment by calling 661-949-8643 or using our online booking feature today.