Bruise wrist
definition
A bruise, which is also commonly referred to as a contusion in medicine, is an injury to the wrist involving the joint-forming bones and the surrounding soft tissue. The bruise in the wrist is very often based on a fall or other external force or violence. This can lead to painful damage to bones, muscles and vision without injuring the skin.
Read more about the topic here Ligament injury on the wrist
Often the only visual evidence of a bruise is a bruise and swelling in the wrist area. Most of the time, there is also a severe painful restriction of movement.
Causes of wrist contusion
Probably the most common mechanism of accidents is that one is affected Fall fall on the wrist to stop the fall. When supporting it, the wrist is bruised because it is a sudden and enormous pressure load that is above the normal load level. As long as the bones that make up the wrist not broken or ligaments, tendons, or muscles not torn one speaks by definition of a bruise. In addition to falling, bruises of the wrist are more common in sports in which the hands are used and there is a lot of contact. Examples would be boxing, badminton and handball.
In the event of a blunt force on the wrist, for example by a blow or a jerky braking movement through contact with opponents, a bruise is often the result. It has to be an adequate one, however strong force act so that there is an actual bruise with corresponding symptoms. Sometimes, however, the affected person may suffer a bruise even with mild violence. This can be due to a poorly trained and in this case insufficient stabilizing muscles lie, or on the other hand on one Vulnerability of the wrist due to previous injuries.
Diagnosis of a wrist contusion
When diagnosing a bruise of the wrist, as a doctor, a detailed medical history can provide a lot of information that can confirm the suspected diagnosis. Often those affected describe a classic accident or fall. With a subsequent physical examination, the diagnosis of a bruise can be made relatively quickly. The clinical examination includes, among other things, the inspection. First you pay attention Swelling and Bruising in the wrist area. This is followed by a palpation of the wrist, i.e. a palpation around the Localize pain. A functional test is also important in order to be able to assess how much the Mobility of the wrist is restricted by a possible bruise. Apparatus or imaging diagnostics are generally recommended if a contusion of the wrist is suspected unnecessary. If necessary, however, differential diagnoses, such as a fracture of bones in the area of the wrist, must be clarified. An X-ray in 2 planes is suitable to exclude such a break.
Symptoms of a contusion in the wrist
A bruise of the wrist leads to different symptoms, which can vary depending on the severity. Classically, pain in the wrist area occurs after a bruise. The pain occurs not only under strain on the hand, but even at rest on. The pain usually goes with one swelling hand in hand. The bruise injures small vessels, among other things, so that the swelling can be a bloody accumulation of fluid. A collection of Inflammatory infiltrate swelling in the tissue can also be the cause. In the case of a bloody accumulation of fluid, another symptom is logically a bruise in the wrist area, which can vary in size depending on the severity of the bruise.
Read more about the topic here Inflammation in the wrist
In general, except for a swelling and a bruise, there should be no externally visible signs of injury with a bruise of the wrist. So this means that the soft tissue should be intact. Restriction of movement is another symptom of a bruise. Those affected report that they can barely move their wrist. On the one hand, this is because the severe pain inhibits movement and, on the other hand, the swelling is a limitation. In severe cases it can also lead to a Numbness come. This can indicate that Injured nerve tissue was or that the Blood flow is no longer sufficiently guaranteed is. This can be done as part of a so-called "Compression Syndrome" occur. Due to the swelling of the surrounding tissue, the blood flow to the hand can be endangered, as the vessels are squeezed off by the swelling. In such a situation the area must be surgically relieved, to prevent underperfusion and, in the worst case scenario, dying of the fingers.
Bruised wrist pain
Pain from a bruised wrist is a typical symptom. They occur immediately after the injury event. Mostly it is a throbbing and dull pain. Depending on which structures are affected, the pain can also have a radiating character, especially when the wrist is moved. The pain occurs especially in the initial phase, both at rest and under stress. The pain at rest improves over time, but if you exercise too early, you can still feel pain even with slight movement. An intensification of the pain can be provoked by strain. In general, the pain of a bruise arises from the swelling of the tissue, as nerve tissue is compressed or stretching pain can occur.
Read more on this topic at: Pain in the wrist, pain in the back of the hand, pain in the wrist
Treatment of a wrist contusion
A bruise becomes primary conservative treated. The so-called "PECH" rule come into use. It stands P for pauseso that those affected should immediately stop straining the wrist or pause the activity that resulted in a bruise. Then it is important that Wrist cool. In relation to the PECH rule, this is what it says here E for ice cream. The cold causes the vessels to contract, so that fluid or blood leakage from the vessels is reduced and the occurrence of swelling and bruising can be avoided or kept within limits. This has the same effect as using ice Applying a compressive, elastic bandage. Here, the compression (C stands for the English word compression) also causes a narrowing of the vessels, so that in this case too, possible swelling and bruising can be prevented.
In conclusion, it should be a bruised wrist necessarily elevated become. In most cases it is sufficient to bend your arm at the elbow joint or to put your hand up on a pillow when sleeping. In addition to the PECH rule, the treatment of a bruise of the wrist also plays a role Pain therapy an important role. With the help of pain relievers such as Ibuprofen the symptoms can often be relieved quickly. Pain relievers can also be applied directly to the painful area on the wrist in the form of ointments. Overall, an early freedom from pain has a positive effect on the healing process.
You can learn more about pain reliever medication here: NSAIDs
In general, it is important to protect the wrist for a long enough time, i.e. not to move a lot and initially not to strain. A wrist-stabilizing bandage or bandage can therefore be useful tools in the therapy of a bruise of the wrist. After a few days, the application of ice can also be done by a Heat therapy be replaced. A local application of heat improves blood circulation, so that inflammatory infiltrates are removed more quickly and the wrist is supplied with more blood, and thus regenerate faster can. If the conservative treatment approaches mentioned above are not effective, it may be necessary to operate in special cases. In general, however, an indication for surgery is only very rarely made. Among other things, when nerves are involved and their injury possibly irreversible threatens to get lost. Surgery can also be useful if relief is necessary due to severe bruising or extreme swelling Compartment Syndrome to prevent.
Taping after a wrist contusion
Taping is suitable as a conservative therapeutic measure to treat a bruise of the wrist. The tape has a stabilizing and at the same time stimulating Effect on the wrist, so that the healing process is positively influenced. A total of 4 strips must be cut from the self-adhesive tape. The two longer tapes are affixed to the extension and flexion side of the wrist or forearm. The stretch-side tape should have its origin around the middle of the back of the hand. In order to bring the appropriate tension to the tape, it is advisable to stretch your hand and first to straighten it again after sticking the tape.
On the bend side, however, the tape should be fixed in the area of the palm area. As with the other strip, a bent position is helpful to apply tension to the tape. The two shorter strips are placed from the extension and flexion side directly under the heel of the hand on the wrist or over the palpable ones Wrist bones Glued on perpendicular to the longer tape strips. As a tip for use, it should be said that the tape is on Hairless and not creamy skin is best adheres. The adhesion can also be improved by rubbing on after gluing. In this way, blood circulation is also promoted at the same time.
If you want to learn more about the topic, read on here: Tap your wrist
Splints after wrist contusion
Splinting or bandaging is a therapeutic measure for a bruise of the wrist. The aim is to immobilize and stabilize the wrist in order to accelerate the healing process as possible low level of pain to achieve. There are now many different versions of the splints and bandages. The optimal system must therefore be selected in each individual case. What they all have in common, however, is the property of stabilization and pain relief. Most also have one massaging effect due to incorporated pads at certain typical pressure points. This specifically promotes blood circulation, which in turn stimulates the healing process. An advantage of most wrist bandages or splints is the free mobility of the fingers, which therefore do not stiffen despite the immobilization of the wrist. For those affected, it is pleasant to be able to continue to make targeted movements with the fingers and to grasp objects. Sometimes a bandage / splint is not just made these days therapeutic purposes but also from prophylactic reasons carried. Especially in sporting activities such as handball, in which the wrist is particularly stressed or at risk, the bandage can provide additional stabilization of the wrist. A bandage is also often worn for prophylactic purposes if the wrist has been injured in the past and / or a general instability or susceptibility is known.
You can find out more about the topic here: Wrist bandage
Home remedies for wrist contusions
The range of home remedies for a bruise on the wrist is relatively large. The aim is to relieve symptoms such as swelling, pain and bruising. They are particularly good at cooling the bruise Quark wrap, but also essential oils like that peppermint oil. Also the application of Rubbing alcoholwhich different substances like Spruce needle oil, Mountain pine oil, juniper berry oil, menthol etc., can be helpful in the case of a bruise, as it increases blood flow and promotes the healing process. To achieve a decongestant effect, the use of ointments or lotions with the following ingredients can be useful: Arnica, rosemary, menthol, comfrey, marigold and horse chestnuts.
Against the pain, among other things Marjoram leaves or Tea tree oil help. Also a wrap of stiff beaten protein and smaller parsley has a pain relieving effect. A wrap or linen bag will also have a positive effect boiled potatoes said. Even if the home remedies are generally a good approach to treating a bruise on the wrist, further conservative measures should not be dispensed with. These should also be used. If treatment with appropriate home remedies does not improve the symptoms, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the injury and, if necessary, to arrange special therapeutic measures.
Duration of a wrist contusion
The healing process of a bruise of the wrist varies from person to person and is dependent on various factors, such as age and personal constitution, i.e. bone stability or the characteristics of the musculoskeletal system. It also depends on how severe the bruise is. In general, however, a bruise of the wrist is an injury with a relative good prognosis and an uncomplicated healing process. In addition to the severity of the bruise, the time at which the treatment begins has an influence on the duration. A early care the bruise through immediate measures such as Cooling, resting, and elevating affects the healing process positive.
Pain reduction after adequate pain therapy should be achieved be noticeable after 3 days at the latest and after 1-2 weeks to a Freedom from pain to lead. A possibly existing bruise should subside after 3 days at the latest. Then the other symptoms such as swelling and restricted mobility subside. If all recommended therapeutic measures are followed and implemented correctly, the overall healing time is a maximum of 6 weeks to be expected. Otherwise you should definitely see a doctor again in order to rule out more serious injuries. In most cases it is a bruise of the wrist already after 3 weeks cured.
