Diagnosis
To diagnose a ligament injury, the wrist is first examined. If there is pain, swelling or a haematoma, a ligament injury is likely. Together with questioning after accidents, falls or similar, the doctor can usually make a suspected diagnosis.
It is then important to distinguish between ligament stretching and torn ligament. This is usually achieved with imaging measures. For example, an X-ray of the wrist shows a widened joint space if a ligament is torn. In cases of doubt, an MRI provides definitive information.
Symptoms
A ligament injury to the wrist causes a number of typical symptoms. The main focus is on pain that occurs immediately after the injury. At rest, but above all during movement, the wrist hurts, which is why function and mobility are restricted. In addition, the wrist swells up due to a ligament injury, more so in the case of a torn ligament than when the ligament is stretched. A torn ligament usually causes a haematoma, which becomes visible as bruises on the skin.
Therapy
The therapy depends on the extent of the ligament injury and whether other structures such as the capsule are injured. In the conservative therapy of a ligament extension, immobilization and protection are the most appropriate, a torn ligament may have to be operated. A tape bandage is an alternative to plaster casts and splints in cases of slight forms of torn or stretched ligaments.
The tape does not achieve complete immobilization, but only provides support for stabilization. Movements are carried out more consciously with the tape, so that abrupt movements can be prevented as far as possible. Rigid tape bandages or elastic kinesiotapes can be used for this purpose.
These are stuck under tension from the back of the hand over the wrist to the forearm. In the case of larger tears of ligaments in the wrist, a tape bandage is not sufficient as the only therapy. – the muscles of the forearm are strengthened,
- Promotes blood circulation and
- The wrist can be stabilized.
Duration of the healing process
The duration of the healing process can be very different and depends strongly on Strained ligaments in the wrist can already vary greatly in their healing time. Slight strains can subside within a few days with appropriate care. Severe stretching of the ligaments, on the other hand, often requires several weeks of healing.
A partial tear of a ligament in the wrist can often be treated by immobilization, but it takes many weeks to guarantee a stable healing. Surgical therapies offer stability earlier after the operation, but require a few weeks of healing and subsequent weeks of rehabilitation. In rare cases, a ligament injury to the wrist leads to chronic secondary symptoms.
Cartilage wear in the wrist is a typical long-term complication of a wrist injury. The cartilage damage cannot be healed and can often only be treated by stiffening it. – of the respective ligament injury
- The extent of the injury
- Of the therapy
- The subsequent complications
