A dislocated wrist occurs when the bones of the wrist joint are forced out of their normal alignment. Your wrist is composed of eight small carpal bones, held in place by a network of ligaments. When these ligaments tear due to significant force, the carpal bones can become displaced. This injury requires prompt medical attention to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term complications.
Recognizing a Dislocated Wrist
Intense pain that often worsens with any attempt to move the wrist or hand is a primary indicator. The injured wrist may also show a visible deformity, appearing misaligned or unnaturally bent.
Swelling and tenderness around the wrist are common, often accompanied by discoloration or bruising. You might experience a significant loss of movement or an inability to move your hand or fingers. Displaced bones can sometimes press on nearby nerves, leading to numbness or tingling in the fingers or hand. While some symptoms overlap with sprains or fractures, a medical professional uses imaging tests like X-rays to confirm a dislocation.
First Aid and Urgent Steps to Take
If you suspect a dislocated wrist, take immediate, careful action while awaiting professional medical help. Never attempt to force the wrist back into place yourself. Self-reduction can cause further damage to nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, or bones, potentially worsening the injury.
Gently immobilize the wrist in the position it was found, using a splint or sling if available, or simply by supporting it. Apply an ice pack to the injured area to reduce swelling and pain. Elevate the hand and wrist above heart level to minimize swelling. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
The Professional Medical Process
At a medical facility, healthcare professionals will diagnose the injury with a physical examination and imaging studies. X-rays confirm the dislocation and identify any associated fractures. If ligament damage is suspected, an MRI may be performed for a more detailed view of soft tissues.
Once diagnosed, dislocated bones are realigned through reduction. This manual manipulation repositions the displaced bones into their correct anatomical alignment. Depending on the injury’s severity and patient comfort, this procedure is often done under local or general anesthesia or sedation. For more severe dislocations, especially those involving torn ligaments or fractures, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair damaged tissues and stabilize the joint. After reduction, the wrist is typically immobilized with a cast or splint for several weeks to allow the surrounding tissues to heal.
Healing and Regaining Wrist Function
After the dislocated wrist has been reduced and immobilized, the healing process continues with protective rest. The wrist is typically kept in a cast or splint for several weeks, often ranging from six to eight weeks, to ensure stability and allow the ligaments and other soft tissues to repair themselves. The exact duration depends on the dislocation’s severity and whether surgery was required.
Once the immobilization period concludes, rehabilitation is an important phase to restore full wrist function. Physical therapy helps regain range of motion, strength, and overall stability. A physical therapist guides patients through exercises, starting with gentle movements to improve flexibility, then progressing to strengthening exercises.
Without proper treatment and adherence to rehabilitation, potential complications can arise, including persistent stiffness, weakness, chronic instability, or the development of arthritis. Recovery time can vary, with simpler reductions often taking two to three months, while cases requiring surgery may take six months to a year for a full recovery.