Wrist Conditions and Treatments

Wrist Fracture Treatment

Wrist Fracture Treatment

A wrist fracture is a break in any one of your eight small wrist bones or the two forearm bones. Following a wrist fracture it is common for the patient to experience pain, stiffness and swelling in the wrist. With any injury to the wrist additional injury can or may be caused to the ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves surrounding the wrist. Therefore the treatment of an injured wrist, like a fracture, may require a splint, cast or surgery, followed by physical therapy.

Depending on the involved structures the Physician may decide to treat the injury by immobilizing the wrist with a splint or cast and in some instances recommend surgery.

For injuries of less significance the physician may recommend that the patient rest from activity and gradually progress activity.

Stage 1 – one to two weeks

Reduce pain or soreness by applying ice and compression 60 minutes every 2 hours while taking anti-inflammatory medicine as directed.

Stage 2 – second to third weeks

Begin stretching and light strengthening exercises gradually increasing weight/resistance; using pain as a guide to determine how much activity is enough.

Recommended Exercises

Wrist Extension Stretch

Place both hands on a table as shown and gently lean forward until a stretch is felt.

Wrist Flexion Stretch

Use the unaffected hand to bend the affected wrist down as shown

Ulnar Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the little finger side as shown.

Radial Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the thumb side as shown.

Towel Grip

Place a rolled up towel in your hand and squeeze. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Rubber Band Extension

Expand a rubber band wrapped around your fingers. Hold extension for 3 seconds. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Ball Jaw Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it with your first 3 fingers as shown. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Ball Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Elastic Bicep Curl

With your arm at your side holding an elastic band, draw up your hand by bending at the elbow. Keep your palm face up the entire time. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Triceps Extension

Start by holding an elastic band across your chest with the unaffected arm. Next, pull the band downward with the other arm so that the elbow moves from bent to straight. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Extension

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table with palm facing floor; raise back of hand to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Curls

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with your palm facing the ceiling. Curl wrist to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Ulnar Deviation

While holding an elastic band, bend the top wrist upward as shown. The lower hand should remain still. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Radial Deviation

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with thumb pointed toward ceiling. Cock wrist back and forth. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Pronation/Supination

Slowly lower a hammer towards the inside and then outside of the body as shown. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Wrist Injury Treatment

Wrist Injury Treatment

A wrist injury is a disturbance to any one of your eight small wrist bones or the two forearm bones and/or muscles. Following certain wrist injuries it is common for the patient to experience pain, stiffness and swelling in the wrist. With any injury to the wrist additionally injury can or may be caused to the ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves surrounding the wrist. Therefore the treatment of an injured wrist, like a fracture, may require a splint, cast or surgery, followed by physical therapy.

Depending on the involved structures the Physician may decide to treat the injury by immobilizing the wrist with a splint or cast and in some instances recommend surgery.

For injuries of less significance the physician may recommend that the patient rest from activity and gradually progress activity.

Stage 1 – one to two weeks

Reduce pain or soreness by applying ice and compression 60 minutes every 2 hours while taking anti-inflammatory medicine as directed.

Stage 2 – second to third week

Begin stretching and light strengthening exercises gradually increasing weight/resistance; using pain as a guide to determine how much activity is enough.

Download a PDF of the exercises.