Often times, our first instinct when falling is to put out our hands to soften the impact. However, this is one of the most common sources of hand and wrist injuries, frequently causing injuries and even fractures.
After a fall on an outstretched hand, you may have lingering pain and/or swelling at the wrist. To be safe, you should have an x-ray to check for a bone fracture, and to determine the best course of action for your recovery.
In fact, even if there are no fractures, the problem could also be a sprain of one (or more) ligaments, so make sure to get yourself checked out.
In the case of a fracture, the bone typically affected is the navicular bone, also known as the scaphoid, located between the base of the thumb and the radius (one of the two long bones of the forearm). Because a navicular fracture often causes pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, gripping motions can be particularly painful.
A fall on the hand can cause a fracture in the radius itself, especially in older people. Immediate pain, swelling and visible evidence, such as the wrist’s angle, indicate that something is very wrong. The usual treatment for a small navicular fracture includes casting, splinting and a rehabilitation program that includes range-of-motion and strengthening exercises.
Because the blood supply, which carries oxygen and nutrients to the scaphoid bone is poor, hand and wrist pain after a fall commonly lasts weeks, even several months.
Rehabilitation programs for a sprain may include:
- splinting during the day and/or night
- icing/cold therapy
- exercises to promote strength, flexibility, and function
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication (NSAIDs)
- cortisone injections (if recommended by your Physician)
Because of the long immobilization time needed to treat most wrist fractures, rehabilitation is a critical part of healing.
If you have fallen on an outstretched hand, let us help.
The Jackson Clinics Physical Therapy can design an individualized program to achieve the best chance of alleviating that nagging, lingering pain and help you regain full range of motion and strength in your hand and wrist.
Schedule your appointment today with The Jackson Clinics at one of our convenient locations.
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