Q. Shall I go with compression wrap for wrist sprain?

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and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.

Published on May 19, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jul 04, 2019

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I had a mild sprain while using a punching bag. But, it does not hurt at all in my two days off work. Now I am back to work, on day three since my injury, and it hurts really bad. I am locked in for the next several hours and I can tough it out. Obviously I am going to be doing some hot treatment.

Is it too late in the game for a compression wrap?

Will that help with the irritation from small movements?

Please guide.

Answer

Dr. Geeta Priyadarsini Kamminana

General Medicine Internal Medicine

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Better late than never. Go for compression wrap (active type or elastic wrist splint).

Rest your wrist. If pain does not go down or increase in spite of all the measures and medication in two to four weeks then go for MRI wrist.

Do specify your complaints more elaborately as mentioned below:

Do specify if the pain is in right or left wrist. Is there any swelling?

Do you have any point tenderness or local rise in temperature?

Do you have any bruising or specific movements that increase the pain?

The Probable causes:

Sports injury.

Investigations to be done:

MRI wrist.

Differential diagnosis:

1. Tendinitis.
2. Tenosynovitis (inflammation as well as swelling of a tendon).
3. Bursitis.
4. Hair line fractures.
5. Arthritis.

Probable diagnosis:

Ligament sprain.

Treatment plan:

1. Rest.
2. Cryotherapy or ice packs.
3. Compression wraps.
4. Elastic bandage.
5. Pain therapy with tablet Paracetamol 650 mg thrice a day if not relieved local colonial spray and systemic medication with tablet Aceclofenac taken twice daily.
4. Joint immobilization.

Preventive measures:

Avoid physical exertion and all activities that exacerbate pain for two weeks.

Regarding follow up:

Revert back with the asked details and the MRI wrist to an general medicine physician online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/general-medicine-physician