How to Know if Your Thumb, Wrist, Finger, or Ankle is Sprained
Summer in Oakland County is a time for outdoor adventures and engaging in sports, from baseball and hiking to cycling and water skiing. While these activities are a great way to stay active and enjoy the sun, they also come with the risk of injuries, particularly to the joints. Sprains are among the most common injuries that can occur during summer sports, and understanding the signs of a sprained joint and knowing when to seek medical attention is crucial to ensure a swift and full recovery.
Determining whether a trip to the doctor is necessary for a sprained joint can be challenging. Mild sprains might be managed with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the R.I.C.E method). However, if the pain is severe, the swelling does not subside, or you cannot move or bear weight on the affected joint, it is essential to seek medical attention. Dr. Uzma Rehman, top Oakland County hand doctor, emphasizes the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment for sprains to avoid chronic instability or arthritis later on.
Recognizing the signs of a sprained joint and knowing when to seek professional care can significantly impact your recovery. If you experience a potential sprain during your summer activities, it is important not to ignore the symptoms. Dr. Uzma Rehman and her team are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for joint injuries, helping you return to your favorite summer sports safely and quickly.
In this article top Oakland County hand doctor Uzma Rehman, DO discusses how to identify a sprain.
What is a Sprain?
A sprain is the stretching (or in severe cases, the tearing) of ligaments — which are the fibrous tissues that connect two bones in a joint – such as the finger or wrist. Typically, milder sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Severe sprains may require surgery if the ligaments are torn rather than just stretched.
A sprain occurs when the ligaments, the tough bands of tissue connecting bones in a joint, are stretched or torn. This can happen due to sudden twists, falls, or impacts that force the joint out of its normal range of motion. Common symptoms of a sprain include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty using the affected joint. In severe cases, you may hear a popping sound at the time of injury, which can indicate a complete tear of the ligament. Recognizing these signs early and taking appropriate action can prevent further damage and long-term complications.
How to Know if You have a Sprained Finger, Wrist, Ankle or Thumb
Hearing or feeling a “pop” in the injured joint at the time of the accident is one way to know if you are experiencing a sprain. A broken bone, on the other hand, is often accompanied by a cracking, crunching or snapping sound.
Like broken bones, sprains can be characterized by: pain, swelling, and bruising. One of the hallmarks of a sprain is a limited ability to move the affected joint – but without the appearance of deformity, displacement of being “out of alignment”.
The cause of the injury may also give some insight into whether an injury is a sprain or a broken bone. Twisting an ankle while walking on an uneven surface or landing awkwardly during running or activity is a likely cause of a sprained ankle. Pivoting during a sports or exercise –such as playing basketball – can cause a sprained knee. And overextension of a joint – for example during golf or tennis – can result in a sprained thumb.
However, impact, such as landing on an outstretched hand during a fall can cause either a sprain or a broken bone.
And, remember, while children have strong ligaments their bones are still growing – with soft “growth plates” -– so a child is more likely to suffer a broken bone than a sprain.
When to Contact a Doctor for a Sprained Thumb, Wrist, Finger, or Ankle
You should see a doctor if you have injured a joint, and have one or more of the following symptoms:
- You can’t move the affected joint
- You can’t put weight on the affected joint
- You have pain directly over the bones of an injured joint
- You have numbness anywhere in injured area
- Any time the limb appears unnaturally bent or “out of alignment”
- You heard a cracking, crunching or “snap” sound at the time of injury
- You can’t turn your arm from back and forth from palm up to palm down
Other signs and symptoms indicating you should see a doctor for a sprain include any severe pain or swelling.
Treating a Sprained Ankle, Wrist, Thumb or Finger at Home
If there is any possibility that the injury is a broken bone, Dr. Rehman can schedule an immediate, safe and socially-distanced appointment for an X-rays to diagnose or rule out a fracture or other bone injury.
However, if Dr. Rehman determines the problem to be a sprain she will typically prescribe home self-care using the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen ) and Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) may also be helpful. However, patients experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 virus (coronavirus) are warned NOT to consume any products containing Ibuprofen.
Top Oakland County Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm – and you think you may have experienced a broken bone or a sprain – contact board certified Oakland County hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation.
It is important to remember that while a sprain can often be treated at home, delays in the diagnosis and treatment of a broken arm, finger, wrist, toe or foot can lead to poor healing, deformity and a lifetime of pain and/or limited mobility. So it is important to contact Dr. Rehman right away. (Of course, after hours or for any emergency medical condition, including excessive bleeding or swelling, call 911 or your local Urgent Care immediately.)
