Wrist Supports

Anatomy of a Sprained Wrist

It’s very common during exercise or sporting events to suffer a minor injury. One of the most common is a sprain of the wrist. Many of the sports or activities we partake in can lead to us falling. This can happen from collisions or a loss of balance. Our first reaction when we fall is to put our hand down to brace ourselves and this can lead to the ligaments being stretched or even torn, leading to a sprained wrist. Even overexertion can lead to a sprain of the wrist or even just getting hit in just the right manner can lead to ligament damage.

Severity

Our bones are held together by ligaments and the two largest in the wrist area are the medial (ulnar) and lateral (radial) collateral ligaments. Depending on how badly you stretch or damage the ligaments determines what grade of sprain you have suffered. A Grade I is the mildest type of sprain resulting in ligaments stretched or only slightly torn, whereas a Grade III results in your ligaments completely torn.

 

A mild sprain could possibly be treated with rest, while a Grade III may require a more involved therapy in order to heal. Whether you have a mild strain or a torn ligament you should always follow the practice of RICE, also known as rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Using this type of therapy can expedite healing and get you back out enjoying your favorite activity.

Rest

Once you injure your wrist you should cease all physical activity that irritates the ligaments in your wrist.

Ice

Applying ice minimizes any swelling and allows the healing process to begin. The Polar Ice Hot Cold Pack can be just what the doctor ordered. It’s reusable and molds easily to your body contours. Ice therapy is great for your wrist, but the Core Corpak Vinyl Cold Pack offers a wide variety of cold packs that can be stored in the freezer for convenient use. A wrist specific option is the Acu-Life 360 Degree Hot and Cold Wrist Therapy Brace. It immobilizes and protects the injured wrist and applies cold therapy to reduce swelling and minimize pain. Ice therapy paves the way for the quicker healing of the sprained wrist.

Compression

The compression of the injured wrist helps to reduce swelling in the injured area. Normally this can be achieved by a simple elastic bandage such as the 3M ACE Elastic Bandage with EZ Clips. It provides proper compression where needed and maintains elasticity even after numerous washings. The Ice Right Thermal Compression Bandage combines the benefits of compression and the healing of cold therapy in one time-saving product. This can expedite the healing process and get you back on the field sooner.

Elevation

Elevating your injured wrist above your heart level while resting will help in the healing process. You can use a pillow or the back of a chair to elevate your wrist.

Once you have applied ice and compression to your injured wrist, you may opt for a splint to immobilize your wrist. This can take any strain off to your injured ligaments and also protected from further injury. A good way to immobilize your wrist is with the Core Elastic Wrist Brace. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to let your sprained ligaments heal. You can opt for a brace that provides a little bit more support, such as the Rolyan Fit Wrist Brace which has easy to use D-ring closures and is lined with Lycra for comfort and breathability. For a simple and consistent fit, the Core Powerwrap Universal White Wrist Brace makes it simple and easy to secure your brace with a simple pull of a strap and maximize support. No matter what type of damage you do to your wrists, finding the proper equipment is simple and easy!!                       

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