Symptoms and evaluation
Symptoms can include central or dorsal wrist pain, painful loading, clicking, reduced grip strength and discomfort with extension. Some ligament injuries are subtle on initial X-rays and require specialized examination or additional imaging.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the ligament involved, severity, chronicity and whether the wrist is stable. Options can include immobilization and therapy or, for selected unstable injuries, arthroscopic or open repair and reconstruction.
Recovery and return to activity
Rehabilitation is tailored to the injured ligament and treatment. Repairs and reconstructions require protection during healing followed by progressive motion and strengthening.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
Persistent wrist pain after a sprain can occasionally represent a ligament injury. Continued pain, clicking or weakness after an injury is a reason to consider reassessment.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.