On what to do if you may have sprained a wrist

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Dodgy asking interweb mentalists their opinions: what the heck are you supposed to do in the first hour or two if you think a joint might be sprained? Put a bag of frozen veggies over it & take advil?

I just went swimming this evening, and think that I sprained my wrist getting up out of the pool. Or, I remember it slipping, and now it's kind of sore when I bend it forward or put pressure on it. I badly sprained my other wrist in August, and it took like 4 days for the swelling to go down. I'd kind of like to avoid that this time- although I'm sure it's not nearly as bad.

― lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 03:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I sprained my ankle last year. The useful acronym the doctors gave me was RICE--rest, ice, compression and elevation. This wasn't for my wrist, mind you, so I don't know how hopeful this is. I also understand ice is useful in the first 24 hours but afterwards you should keep the injured area warm, for faster healing.

― slutsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 03:34 (twenty-two years ago)

that's probably good advice for just about any injury, slutsky.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 14 May 2003 03:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Just doing my bit.

― slutsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 03:45 (twenty-two years ago)

It's being frozen spinached. The other choice was a bag of frozen stir fry veggies: far too bumpy. ;-)

― lyra (lyra), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 03:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I have tendinitis in BOTH wrists, so maybe that'll add up to a single sprain. What I find helps quite a lot is to fill a paper cup with water and freeze it, then peel off a strip around the lip of the cup and then to sort of massage the affected areas. The massaging + ice is extremely mollifying.

― Leee (Leee), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 04:10 (twenty-two years ago)

rest it up lyra and follow slutskys advice.
hope it heals up quickly :-)

― donna (donna), Wednesday, 14 May 2003 05:15 (twenty-two years ago)

ten years pass...

So I awoke yesterday with moderate to intense pain on the ulna side of my left wrist, i.e. pinky side. The pinky and ring fingers are fine. The pain centers on that bone/joint at the intersection of hand and wrist. I do bar bell curls every other day so I suspect aggravation caused it. I did nothing for it yesterday but have started ice packs.

Does this sound right or do I try heat?

― first I think it's time I kick a little verse! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 8 September 2013 13:02 (twelve years ago)

sister is a PT and she always prefers ice (to keep swelling down and for pain relief). up to 15 minutes is ok and can be applied every hour as long as the ice isn't directly contacting skin

― making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 8 September 2013 14:25 (twelve years ago)

I've been using a plastic bag filled with ice. I took an Advil an hour ago and it's helped considerably too.

― first I think it's time I kick a little verse! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 8 September 2013 14:36 (twelve years ago)

i sometimes don't do it myself but one is really supposed to put something in between the ice and skin; a moist cloth or even moist paper towel. just so the skin/veins don't freeze. and that makes it so it's safe to apply every hour afaik. you can also fashion a ice pack by adding rubbing alcohol to ice water and freezing it awhile. the alcohol keeps it from freezing and that may be more comfortable than ice after awhile. i think the ratio is 1:1

― making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 8 September 2013 14:49 (twelve years ago)

oh, glad you're already feeling a little better

― making plans for nyquil (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 8 September 2013 14:50 (twelve years ago)

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