What is a Dislocated Wrist?

Your wrist is one of the most delicate joints in your body, so it's no wonder that the area is so prone to injury. If you've got an obvious wrist deformity and are suffering from severe pain, these might be signs of a dislocated wrist. If so, stop reading this guide and seek medical attention immediately!

What is a Dislocated Wrist?

A dislocated wrist occurs when the ends of your bones in the joint are forced out of their normal positions. This makes your wrist seem deformed and tends to cause a great deal of pain.

Although the area is small and delicate, the wrist is actually a fairly intricate structure. Your wrist is made up of eight carpal bones, all of which have extremely confusing names you thankfully don't need to know. The most important, however, is the lunate bone, which tends to be involved in wrist dislocations.

How Do I Know if I Have a Dislocated Wrist?

The symptoms of a dislocated wrist are fairly broad in scope, but if you notice that your wrist appears deformed, it's integral that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. If left untreated, your wrist can become permanently damaged and you might even lose normal hand function.

Dislocated wrists can also cause other symptoms, including:

• Severe pain in the area
• Swelling in the hand or wrist
• Inability to move your hand or wrist
• Tingling in your fingers or thumb

Causes of the Condition

Wrist dislocations are usually caused by severe trauma, such as if you trip up and use your hand to break your fall. As the symptoms are fairly general, dislocations are difficult to diagnose. However, if you suffer from any of the symptoms above, it's best to go to the hospital anyway just in case.

Treatment Options

As carpal bone dislocations are relatively severe, you'll likely have to undergo surgery to get the issue sorted. This is performed by a hand and wrist specialist who will repair the damage in the area as well as the dislocation itself. Your wrist will then have to be placed in a cast for eight weeks so it can heal properly.

After the correct amount of time has passed, your healthcare professional will create a rehabilitative programme for you to strengthen your wrist and ensure you don't suffer from any long-term damage. This can include the use of hand rehabilitation aids, such as balls to help improve grip and movement. Wrist braces can also help support and stabilise the area if you're still experiencing discomfort.

Dislocated Wrists at Wrist Supports

At Wrist Supports, we have carefully selected a number of products to help stabilise your wrist during the rehabilitation process. If you're nervous about ensuring your wrist is supported once the cast has been removed, our range of braces for dislocated wrists can help stabilise your hand and protect it from further injuries. To view our range of wrist supports for dislocated wrists, click on the button below.

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