Mild wrist sprains usually heal within a few weeks. Moderate sprains may take three to six weeks to heal and a couple of months to fully recover the use of your wrist. More severe wrist sprains may take six to 12 weeks to heal. Fully rehabilitating the wrist after a severe sprain may take up to a year. Some factors that might affect your healing time include the severity of your injury, your age and your overall health.
Wrist pain is only one symptom that you may notice with a sprained wrist. Wrist sprains can also cause swelling, bruising, tenderness, warmth and a feeling of popping or tearing inside the wrist.
In this article, we’ll talk about the variables that can affect how long it will take you to heal from a sprained wrist.
How long does a sprained wrist take to heal?
Each injury is unique, and the grade of your wrist sprain is a good indicator of how long it will likely take to heal. Grades I, II and III have varying levels of damage to the ligament and slightly different symptoms. These are general guidelines, as other factors may affect your recovery process. Older individuals and people who are less active may take longer to heal. People who smoke tend to take longer to heal than those who don’t. Seeing a physical therapist and following their treatment guidelines can also help you recover faster.
The following are details about the three grades of wrist sprains and potential recovery times:
- Grade I (mild) — A wrist sprain is considered mild when the ligament is stretched but not torn at all. You may notice pain and some swelling or tenderness. These usually take one to two weeks to heal.
- Grade II (moderate) — With a moderate wrist sprain, the ligament is partially torn. The symptoms are similar to a mild sprain, except the pain may be worse, and it may affect the function of your wrist. These usually take three to six weeks to heal.
- Grade III (severe) — In a severe wrist sprain, the ligament is completely torn or pulled off the bone. You may experience significant pain, swelling, bruising, and severe loss of function. A grade III wrist sprain may require emergency care or surgery, and it may take six to 12 weeks to heal.
What treatments are helpful during each phase of healing?
The three phases of healing for a wrist sprain are the acute phase, the subacute phase, and the rehabilitation phase. The acute phase typically lasts between 24 hours and three days. The other phases may depend on the severity of the injury. In the acute phase, rest and immobilization are critical. Pain management is also a priority. During the subacute phase, gentle range of motion and strengthening exercises will help support the body’s natural healing processes. During the rehabilitation phase, you’ll work on fully restoring the function of your wrist and returning to usual activities.
A physical therapist may provide the following treatments to help you heal from a sprained wrist:
- Manual therapy techniques — In manual therapy techniques for a wrist sprain, the PT uses their hands to manipulate soft tissue with massage-like movements. This can help release tension in the soft tissue of the wrist, improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. Joint mobilization is a type of manual therapy that helps restore healthy movement in stiff joints.
- Therapeutic stretching and exercise — Therapeutic stretching and exercise can help reduce stiffness and restore flexibility in the wrist and surrounding area while promoting blood flow to damaged tissue. Wrist flexion and extension exercises may be particularly helpful.
- Dry needling — Dry needling is another method of releasing tension and restriction deep inside tissue in the wrist. The stimulation is also thought to trigger the body’s healing response.
- The Graston Technique — The Graston Technique is like manual therapy, but the PT uses a set of stainless steel tools. The concentrated pressure allows them to locate stiffness and scar tissue in the soft tissue of the wrist and stretch these areas to help release tension and promote movement.
When should I seek medical attention for a wrist sprain?
With a mild wrist sprain, you may be able to recover without medical care. However, with moderate or severe sprains, you may need to see a doctor or a physical therapist. There are a few signs that you might need emergency treatment for a wrist sprain. These include severe pain and swelling, a visible difference in the shape of your wrist, severely impaired function and hearing a snap or pop at the time of injury. Rapid swelling, numbness and tingling are also signs that you may need treatment. If a day or two goes by and your pain has not significantly decreased, or if it comes back, you should seek treatment.
Get personalized treatment for a sprained wrist at Forever Fit
Getting treatment for a sprained wrist early can shorten your overall recovery time and lead to better outcomes. As you heal, you should notice your pain subsiding and gradually recover the use of your wrist. If your pain gets worse, or if you start to develop new symptoms, you should talk with your care provider.
It’s pretty simple to see a physical therapist because you don’t need a referral. PT is covered by most health insurance plans, and at Forever Fit, we also offer cash payments if you need to pay out-of-pocket. We offer most of the above treatments at our locations. For dry needling, book an appointment at our Rockville location.
Are you ready to find relief from your sprained wrist? We can help. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.