Wrist Injury Treatment

Medically Reviewed by Carol DerSarkissian, MD on March 16, 2024
1 min read
  • If there is obvious deformity, severe pain, numbness, or the person cannot move the wrist or maintain a grip, see a doctor immediately or go to a hospital emergency department. These are signs of a possible fracture.
  • Support the hurt arm and wrist with a makeshift splint, such as a ruler, stick, rolled-up newspaper, pillow, or sling, until you get help.
  • Minimize wrist motion to prevent further injury.
  • Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times the first day.
  • You may apply a compression wrap such as an Ace bandage.
  • Elevate the wrist above heart level.
  • If pain and swelling get worse in 24 hours, see a doctor.
  • The doctor may need to order X-rays to rule out a fracture that was not obvious at first and examine the wrist to look for signs of tendonitis, arthritis, gout, infection, or other conditions.