What Causes Severe Wrist Pain And Swelling In Hand Post An Injury?

Posted on Sun, 7 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 7 Feb 2016 Answered on

Thu, 7 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I fell on my wrist and cannot bend it back or forth w/o pain but side to side is good. I have swelling from the wrist joint to the knuckles of my hand - should I have it looked at by a dr.?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
X ray of wrist should be taken to rule out fracture.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. Considering your history - fall on wrist , pain while bending and swelling there are chances of fracture. So it should be ruled out.
By falling on out stretched hand and landing on wrist or palm distal end of radial bone fracture ( colles fracture) can be suspected. So better to have a X ray of wrist in two projections to rule out fracture.

Splint your wrist by placing hard objects like cardboard piece, arms in flexion (L shaped) with palm straightened and and placed on chest.

You can apply ice packs on the area of swelling.
Taking over the counter NSAIDs like Ibuprofen will be helpful to relieve pain and swelling also.

In case of positive fracture hand should be immobilized in casts for 4 weeks to get consolidation of fracture.
A consultation with orthopaedician is well appreciated . Other wise you can go to ER.
Let me know if anything not clear.
I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T