You trip on the sidewalk. Slip on the ice. Miss a step on the stairs. Without thinking, you instinctively reach out to break your fall.
Though that reflex may protect your head or face, it places tremendous force on your wrist. In fact, falling onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of both wrist sprains and wrist fractures.
But how can you tell which one you have?
The truth is, it isn’t always easy. Both injuries can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your wrist. That’s why it’s important not to assume “it's just a sprain” without a proper evaluation.
At Central Jersey Hand Surgery in Toms River, Eatontown, and Freehold, New Jersey, we can diagnose what’s wrong with your wrist and help you heal. Here are some clues to help you understand the differences between wrist sprains and fractures.
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, the strong bands of tissue that hold your wrist bones together.
Sprains can range from mild stretching of the ligaments to partial or complete tears. Depending on the severity, you may experience pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness, but the bones themselves remain intact.
Many mild sprains improve with rest and conservative treatment.
A fracture means one or more of the bones in your wrist have broken.
The most common type is a distal radius fracture, which occurs near the wrist at the end of the forearm bone. These fractures are especially common after falls and account for nearly one in six fractures treated in emergency departments.
Some fractures are obvious. Others are surprisingly subtle and may initially feel like a sprain.
Though only an examination and imaging can provide a definite diagnosis, these signs make a fracture more likely:
Sprains often begin feeling better after a day or two. Fracture pain usually remains significant or worsens with movement.
Both injuries can swell, but fractures often produce more pronounced swelling soon after the injury.
If the wrist appears crooked, misshapen, or out of alignment, seek immediate medical attention.
Difficulty holding objects or rotating your wrist may indicate a fracture.
Pain over a specific bone, especially on the thumb side of the wrist after a fall, can signal a fracture that deserves prompt evaluation.
Don’t rely on the above list alone — some fractures don’t look dramatic.
Certain wrist fractures, including scaphoid fractures, may not cause obvious deformity and can even be difficult to see on an initial X-ray. If your wrist continues to hurt after a fall, don’t assume you’re dealing with a simple sprain just because you can still move it.
An accurate diagnosis is the best way to prevent long-term problems such as chronic pain, stiffness, or improper healing.
You should schedule an evaluation with one of our hand specialists if:
Early treatment often leads to better healing and a faster return to normal activities.
At Central Jersey Hand Surgery, our fellowship-trained hand surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating both wrist sprains and wrist fractures. We perform a thorough examination and obtain imaging, when needed, to determine exactly what’s causing your pain.
Treatment depends on the injury. Many sprains and stable fractures heal well with splinting or casting, while more complex fractures may require advanced treatment to restore proper alignment and function. After healing, we may recommend hand therapy to help you regain strength, flexibility, and motion.
If you’ve fallen and your wrist doesn’t feel right, don’t guess. Call us to schedule an evaluation at Central Jersey Hand Surgery. We can provide the answers and expert care you need to heal properly.
