How to tell if your wrist is broken or sprained

Wrist fractures and sprains can happen from a simple fall from ground level. It's only natural to reach your hand out to brace your fall, and these can be more common as we head into icy weather. Both injuries can be painful, but how can you tell the difference?

[Scxrewhead]

I didn't come to this video for you to tell me to go to the doctor

[No_Fraze]

“Go to the doctor to get an xray”No shit really, I am watching this video to avoid this

[ddbbtwr]

Do the jam jar test. If you dissolve onto the floor in crippling pain then it's probably a broken scaphoid. I found this out the hard way.

[shinoslv]

Punched my wall so hard it got me thinking I broke my hand. Lesson learned

[theodorhesselholthoej]

A great way to know is: if you press on top, the bottom or sides of the wrist and it hurts it's likely sprained. If your wrist it broken it should hurt a lot when you press straight down on your fist towards the wrist.

[kaytriott]

I went to a walk-in clinic as my wrist hurts so bad I can't hold anything with that hand, do up my bra, open my depression pill bottle (the push down with palm and turn type) and cannot steer my car or tie my shoes, but the doctor refused to do any imaging at all because I have no swelling and said I can take painkillers. He got out his prescription pad and asked if I wanted them and I and no, I want to find the cause, not dull the pain as it gets worse. And yes, today it is a lot worse. This was in Ontario, Canada. It used to not be THIS bad.

[joshfertig]

Hi, about 2 weeks ago I fell in an outstretched hand and it hurt for about 1 week and a half. I went to the decor when it stopped hurting and they think it is just a sprain but they suggest a mri to check for scaphoid fracture. can I still have a scaphoid fracture even if nothing hurts anymore at all when I move it. I just moved it for so long and nothing hurts anymore. Can it be a scaphoid fracture or do you think it’s just a sprain?

[NFJayoe]

So a couple years ago I fell face down and my hand landed top part straight down and the next day the top of my hand was swollen for about a week and now years later ever since then right above my wrist is a bone in the shape of a ball and my wrist on one side is slightly lifted and now everytime I hold something for too long or let’s say use a screwdriver after a certain time it starts to burn just curious on what you think it is

[bosseva]

So I fell on my hand hard last week an it hurts still I can barely pick anything up without it hurting n also hurts wen I move it

[JoMcD]

I've been wrapping and icing my wrist, probably have a small fracture, but I don't see doctors being able to do much else than I can do at home. I've already had two other fractures and all they do is put a wrap or a cast on it. Anti-inflammatory meds don't need prescriptions either, so there's not much reason for me to go see a doc.

[mushroomgal]

Is my wrist sprained/brorken or not. It hurts when I move it up and down. please tell me

[ski]

starting a 11 hp generator motor and the pull rope kicked back and a serious jolt of pain in my wrist as i let go. i cant even lift a kettle of water and some swelling there, wrapped it up tight and its still weak but better.🙁

[paisley]

I fell off my swing f😊ace first and put my hand down and it has been hurting for two days now and I just broke my other wrist but I got my cast off but I do gymnastics

[StacySelah]

Thanks no insurance so im suffering thru whatever it is.
Shalom from Fla

[tinwhistlenoob]

I was playing indoor soccer and a kid slammed me into the wall. I tried to catch myself off instinct on the wall and it just jammed. Bugged me the whole game and it’s now swelling and I can’t move it without it hurting

[marspumpkin]

Uhhh can I continue going to the gym while it heals ?

[applesuly]

I don’t feel like I broke my wrist cuz I would’ve been in more pain instead I just have a slight pain when I turn my wrist too far upwards so it’s probably a sprain and will go away in a couple of days

[graysoneads]

i messed up my wrist skateboarding idk if its broke

[whomeye]

Squashed it between a couple heavy objects. The knobby bone on the outside of the wrist is not there. Holding my hand level, there is the similar gap remaining. It's the same gap that happens when it bends. On my good hand, that space dissipates once it levels.
The outer side of my hand is blue and swelling. Where the objects squashed the wrist left abrasions.

I felt my hand get squashed but the pain was dull and my hand has been weak since. I'm hoping it's just bruised and that knobby part is hidden with the swelling.
I put a wrist splint on it and waiting til the morning. Icing and taking ibuprofen now.
I'm worried about the gap that remains while level and bent. Fingers crossed its mere bruising.

[elizabethleydon]

Not sure helpful to try and figure out a break or a sprain when just told to go to doctor to find out. More information please.