Falling onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common ways to hurt a wrist, whether in sport, on the footpath or off a bike. Most of the time the result is a wrist sprain that settles with sensible early care. But there is one important thing worth knowing: not every sore wrist is just a sprain.
Here is what a wrist sprain actually is, what helps recovery, and the thumb-side warning sign that means your wrist should be assessed rather than assumed to be a simple sprain.
In this article
What is a wrist sprain?
A wrist sprain is a stretch or tear of the ligaments that support the wrist, usually after a sudden force such as a fall onto an outstretched hand. It typically causes pain, swelling and tenderness, and the wrist can feel weak or sore with gripping and weight-bearing. Most simple wrist sprains settle with early sensible management and a graded return to movement and strength.
What causes a wrist sprain?
The classic mechanism is a fall onto an outstretched hand, but any sudden overload of the wrist can do it. Common situations include:
- A fall in sport, skating or on a slippery surface
- Coming off a bike or a trip and catching yourself on your hand
- A sudden twist or awkward load through the wrist
How the wrist was loaded and where it hurts afterwards both help guide the assessment.
What actually helps a wrist sprain?
For a simple sprain, early sensible care followed by a graded plan works well. A typical approach includes:
- Early protection, relative rest and settling the swelling
- Restoring comfortable wrist movement
- Progressive grip and wrist strengthening
- A staged return to sport, work and the activities you value
Many people recover well with a structured plan, and a physio can help you judge what to load and when.
Why do some wrists need a scaphoid check?
The scaphoid is a small bone on the thumb side of the wrist, and a fracture of it can be mistaken for a simple wrist sprain.
Why it matters
Scaphoid fractures make up around 2 to 7 percent of all fractures, and a missed scaphoid fracture can fail to heal properly and lead to longer-term wrist problems.
That is why persistent pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist after a fall should be assessed rather than assumed to be a sprain.
Thumb-side wrist pain: when to get it checked
It is worth getting your wrist assessed after a fall, particularly if you notice:
- Pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist that is not settling
- Pain gripping or pinching, or pain when you press in the hollow at the base of the thumb
- Ongoing swelling, weakness or difficulty using the hand
An assessment can determine whether imaging is needed to rule out a scaphoid fracture, so nothing important is missed.
When should you see a physio?
See a physio if your wrist pain is limiting your sport, work or daily life, is not settling, or you want a clear plan to recover with confidence.
Consider getting assessed if
Your wrist pain is not settling, it is limiting your sport, work or daily life, or you have thumb-side pain, pain gripping, or tenderness at the base of the thumb after a fall. Early assessment helps confirm it is a simple sprain, flag anything that needs imaging, and start a graded plan sooner.
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Helping You Perform at Your Best
At ACE Sports Medicine in Upper Mount Gravatt, our physiotherapists provide personalised care for wrist and hand injuries across Brisbane's southside, from settling a simple sprain to a graded return to activity, and we can help flag when a wrist needs imaging. Your first appointment includes an assessment and a plan matched to your wrist and goals.