Dislocation - Wrist, hand and finger injuries

The wrist is one of the most commonly dislocated joints in the body.

Causes of a dislocated wrist

Common causes of a dislocated wrist include sports injuries, accidents and falls; usually, this happens when somebody reaches out their hand when they fall; the pressure applied to the hand travels up the arm and can often lead to dislocation of the wrist, elbow or collarbone.

Symptoms of a dislocated wrist

Common symptoms include severe pain in the wrist, swelling, bruising and a restricted range of movement; pain may also radiate up the arm and into the hand.

Treatment for a wrist dislocation

Initially the wrist should be rested and the arm should be elevated; ice may be applied to reduce swelling and stem any internal bleeding. In many cases, the bones will re-align themselves over the course of time; during this time the wrist should be immobilised and medication may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, the dislocation may have caused a fracture; in this case, surgery may be required to re-align the bones and re-position the joint. When the wrist has started to heal, physiotherapy is usually recommended to strengthen the joint and increase the range of movement in the wrist and hands.

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