Wrist Sprain Treatment in NYC

Manhattan Physical Therapy

Wrist Sprain Treatment in NYC

What Is a Wrist Sprain?

A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which are strong bands of tissue connecting the bones in your wrist. Your wrist has 20 ligaments supporting eight small bones. When these ligaments are stretched beyond their limits, they can become damaged, resulting in a sprain.

The scapholunate ligament, connecting the scaphoid and lunate bones, is the most commonly injured. While many wrist sprains are mild, severe sprains can involve partial or complete ligament tears. Sprains typically cause pain, swelling, bruising, and limited wrist movement.

Symptoms of a Sprained Wrist

Recognizing a wrist sprain early can help you get the right treatment quickly. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain in the wrist, especially when moving it

  • Swelling around the joint

  • Bruising or skin discoloration

  • Difficulty gripping or using the hand

Causes of Wrist Sprains

Wrist sprains can happen in many ways, often due to sudden force or awkward movement. Common causes include:

  • Falling onto an outstretched hand

  • Sports injuries, especially from basketball, tennis, or gymnastics

  • Accidents such as car crashes or heavy impacts

Certain health conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or infections, can also increase the risk by weakening ligaments and making them more susceptible to injury.

Grades of Wrist Sprains

Not all sprains are the same. Understanding the severity can guide treatment:

  • Bullet List 1Grade 1: Mild stretching of the ligament without tears. Pain, swelling, and tenderness are minor, and wrist use is usually possible.

  • Grade 2: Partial ligament tear. Pain, swelling, and bruising are more noticeable, and wrist movement can be uncomfortable. Stability may be slightly compromised.

  • Grade 3: Complete ligament tear or rupture. Severe pain, significant swelling, and bruising make movement difficult. Wrist stability is heavily affected, requiring professional care.

How to Know if You Sprained Your Wrist

Accurate diagnosis is key to effective wrist sprain treatment. At Manhattan Physical Therapy, our specialists perform a thorough physical exam to evaluate the severity of your injury. We assess swelling, tenderness, and the range of motion in your wrist.

In some cases, additional imaging may be necessary:

  • Bullet List 1X-ray

  • MRI

  • Arthrogram (A specialized X-ray or MRI after dye injection to view ligament damage.)

  • Arthroscopy (Minimally invasive procedure using a tiny camera to examine wrist structures when the diagnosis is uncertain.)

Exercises to Recover from a Sprained Wrist

Performing the right exercises can help your wrist heal faster and reduce the risk of future injuries. Always check with your orthopedic doctor or physical therapist before starting any new exercises.

1. Wrist Flexion Stretch

  • Sit with your arm extended and your palm facing up.

  • Gently pull your hand toward your body until you feel a stretch in your wrist and forearm.

  • Hold for 15–30 seconds, release slowly, and repeat a few times.

2. Wrist Extension

  • Place your forearm on a table, palm down, with your wrist hanging slightly off the edge.

  • Hold a light object, like a water bottle or small weight.

  • Lift your wrist as high as possible, keeping your forearm still, then slowly lower it back down.

  • Repeat this 5 times.

3. Grip Strengthening

Strengthening your grip supports overall wrist function. Two easy options include:

Rubber Band Exercise

  • Place a rubber band around your fingers with your fingers together.

  • Spread your fingers apart, hold for 3–5 seconds, then release.

  • Repeat several times.

Tennis Ball Squeeze

  • Hold a tennis ball and squeeze it firmly for 15 seconds, then relax for 15 seconds.

  • Repeat this sequence three times, several times per day.

4. Ulnar Deviation Exercise

  • Stand with arms at your sides, holding a small weight.

  • Move your wrist toward your pinky finger, then toward your thumb.

  • Hold each position for 3 seconds and repeat 5–10 times.

5. Wrist Circles

  • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and interlock your fingers at shoulder height.

  • Gently rotate your wrists in circular motions, first clockwise, then counterclockwise.

  • Repeat this 5 times in each direction.

Important Reminder: A sprained wrist can be sensitive. Stop any exercise if you feel pain, and apply ice for 15–20 minutes. Avoid overexerting the wrist, as pushing too hard can slow healing or cause further injury.

How Physical Therapy Helps

Physical therapy plays a key role in recovering from a wrist sprain. At Manhattan Physical Therapy, our specialists design personalized programs to reduce pain, control swelling, and restore strength and mobility. Through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and guided stretching, we help improve wrist stability and prevent future injuries.

 

Therapists also teach safe movement techniques for daily activities, ensuring your wrist heals properly without overstrain. Whether your sprain is mild or severe, early intervention with physical therapy can speed recovery, improve function, and get you back to work, sports, or everyday tasks with confidence.

Wrist Sprain Recovery Timeline

The time it takes to recover from a wrist sprain depends on the severity of the injury:

  • Mild (Grade I): Usually heals within 1–3 weeks

  • Moderate (Grade II): Recovery can take 3–6 weeks

  • Severe (Grade III): May require several months, particularly if surgery is needed

During recovery, it’s important to listen to your body and avoid movements that could aggravate the injury. Athletes often begin with gentle, low-impact activities such as stationary cycling or light jogging before gradually returning to more demanding sports. Consistent physical therapy plays a key role in rebuilding strength, improving wrist stability, and regaining confidence in everyday movements.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care immediately if you experience:

  • Severe pain or inability to move the wrist

  • Persistent swelling or bruising

  • Numbness or tingling in the hand

  • Symptoms that do not improve after a few days of home care

Don’t let a wrist sprain slow you down. Call (680)-208-3884 to book a consultation with our skilled therapists and start your path to pain-free movement today.

What others are saying

Alexander Liu

"Everyone on the team at Manhattan Physical Therapy is super nice and caring. They were able to pretty quickly diagnose my knee and hip problems and immediately put me to work to reduce the pain.."

Henry Myerberg

"You're not just a patient when you come to the Manhattan Physical Therapy. You feel like family there. In particular, Erica with her colleagues John, Lidia and Joe not only fix and improve you physically, they make you feel welcomed and cared for.."

Hakyung Kim

"Everyone is so kind and helpful! my knee and hip pain have improved massively since starting Manhattan PT, highly recommend to anyone. special thanks to Bianca, Lidia, Joe, and John!"


Manhattan Physical Therapy

✆ Phone (appointments):
(212) 213-3480

Address: 385 5th Ave, Suite 503, New York, NY 10016