Forecast
A ligament injury to the wrist can be treated well in most cases. Sometimes an operation is necessary. After 1-2 weeks in the case of a stretch or 6-8 weeks in the case of a complete torn ligament, the injury has healed. If left untreated, a torn ligament can lead to permanent damage such as arthrosis.
Prophylaxis
Since it is usually the result of an accident, ligament injuries to the wrist are difficult to prevent. In sports, however, it makes sense to use wrist bandages and pads to minimize the risk of injury.
Ligament injuries in detail
When the strap was stretched, the elasticity of the strap was exceeded without tearing. The ligament stretching causes pain under load, a slight swelling is added. Diagnostically, the stretching of the ligament can be recognized by these symptoms and by the absence of bruising.
The mobility of the wrist is limited. In contrast to the torn ligament, no clear findings are seen in imaging. The ligament stretching at the wrist is treated conservatively.
Immediate measures are cooling, elevation and compression, any stress should be avoided. Healing can be supported by a bandage or a splint by immobilizing the wrist. After one to two weeks the ligament stretching is healed.
The torn ligament of the wrist is divided into three degrees of severity. A torn ligament causes severe pain and pronounced swelling. In addition, there is a distinct bruise.
The diagnostic method for this ligament injury is, in addition to the symptoms, an X-ray or MRI, on which a shift in the anatomical structures can be seen. The therapy of this ligament injury depends on the severity of the injury. A partial torn ligament without an unstable wrist is immobilised for 4-6 weeks with a bandage or plaster cast.
For grade 2 or 3, surgery is indicated to reposition the bones and suture the ligaments back together if necessary. The joint is then also immobilised. – Grade 1 is a partial tear without instability
- At grade 2 the wrist is unstable
- Grade 3 describes a complete tear of the ligament
In the case of a ligament injury, the capsule in the joint can also be injured.
The capsule is then also injured by extreme movements and external force. A rupture of the capsule is characterised by severe swelling and pulsating pain, although a rupture of the capsule is often not immediately recognised. This is usually only visible in the ultrasound or MRI. A rupture of the capsule is treated at the same time as the ligament injury by immobilization in the wrist, healing takes about 6 weeks.
