A slip-and-fall accident is one in which people will usually try to break their fall. Trying to break the fall by putting out the arm and hand can lead to a wrist injury, such as a sprained wrist. While a sprained wrist might not seem like such a big deal, it can lead to surgery and other medical interventions if it is considered severe.
Wrist sprains are graded depending on the severity of the ligament damage. A grade 3 sprain is the worst and can often require surgery. This type of sprain means that the ligament is torn. In some cases, it can lead to an avulsion fracture, which occurs when the ligament takes a chip of bone with it when it detaches.
A grade 2 sprain is a bad sprain that isn’t likely to require surgery. In this case, the ligaments are partially torn. A person with a grade 2 sprain might have some loss of function because of the sprain.
A grade 1 sprain isn’t likely to require much medical intervention. The ligaments aren’t torn. Instead, they are stretched.
All wrist sprains can cause pain and swelling. Discoloration and tenderness around the area can also occur. In severe cases, such as a grade 2 or 3 sprain, you might feel a pop or tearing sensation when you injure the wrist.
A wrist sprain is often motion limiting. This means that you might not be able to perform work duties, self care tasks, or housekeeping work. If you suffered a severe sprain, you might choose to seek compensation for your injury if it was caused by the negligence of another person.
Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Wrist Sprains,” accessed Dec. 29, 2015
