Overview
Wrist sprains or strains
If you have sprained or strained your wrist, it's important that you follow this advice.
Do
- keep your arm or hand in the air to reduce swelling
- lift your arm above your head regularly, to keep your shoulder moving
- bend and straighten your elbow regularly, to keep it moving
- gently straighten and bend you fingers regularly, to keep them moving
- try to use your hand for light everyday tasks
- wear any supportive bandage that we have given you, if it helps
- use ice wrapped in a towel for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce swelling and help with pain. Be careful not to put ice directly on your skin because this can cause ice burns
Don't
- do not use your injured wrist for any heavy lifting or gripping
If the pain does not go away
If we saw you in the emergency department (A&E) but your wrist pain does not improve in a few days, contact the hand therapy department. You need to make an appointment with our specialist team in this department.
Resource number: 2267/VER5
Last reviewed: Dec 2024
Next review due: Dec 2027
