Auto Care Injury
Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist injuries may not always present symptoms immediately after a car crash. If you’re experiencing pain, soreness, or swelling, seek immediate medical attention to learn if you’ve sustained one of the below hand and wrist injuries.

Common Hand and Wrist Injuries After a Car Accident

The blunt trauma of a car accident can crush or damage any of the structures in the hand and wrist. To better understand the kind of damage you’ve sustained in a car crash, hand and wrist injuries are categorized as either soft tissue injuries or bone injuries.

Hand and Wrist Injuries in Auto Accidents

If you’ve suffered hand or wrist injuries in a car accident, the medical team at Shingle Creek Medical Group can assess the damage. The blunt force trauma of a collision can crush or harm the delicate structures of the hand and wrist.

Soft-Tissue Injuries
The hand and wrist anatomy are primarily composed of soft tissues, including ligaments, tendons, and muscles. A car crash can cause puncture wounds, abrasions, and lacerations to the skin, creating a deep cut into the soft tissues. These punctures can be visibly noticed after an accident; however, a medical professional must diagnose the following soft tissue injuries.
Wrist Sprains
 Wrist sprain occurs when the ligaments connecting two bones at a joint are stretched or torn. When the wrist is thrown against a hard object or bent at an unnatural angle, it can destabilize the wrist and cause loss of function, swelling, and pain at the injury site. After an auto accident, wrist sprains are categorized as Grade Three, Two, or One based on the severity.
Inflamed Ligaments
The trauma caused by a car accident can damage the carpal tunnel where ligaments, bones, and nerves meet. Both severe inflammation and scar tissue from wrist injuries can press against the median nerve. When the median nerve is compressed, it may cause carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). CTS can create symptoms of tingling or numbness in the fingers and hands and drastically reduce grip strength and overall function.
Damage to Tendons
Tendons are responsible for connecting bone to muscle. The trauma of a motor vehicle collision can damage the tendons in the hand and wrist, causing tendonitis. Tendonitis is a painful inflammation of the tendons that causes swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Fractures & Bone Injuries
A motor vehicle accident can partially or entirely break any bone in the hand and wrist. For example, a broken phalanx is a type of hand fracture in a finger bone. A carpal bone fracture is a wrist fracture in the bone that connects the hand to the wrist. Also common after car accidents is a broken wrist, medically known as a scaphoid fracture. A distal radius fracture, which is a break in the larger bone of the forearm, is another common blunt trauma injury.
Dislocated Joints and Bones
Any of the 27 bones and joints in the hand and wrist can become dislocated from the force of impact in a car accident. When a bone is dislocated, it moves out of

Treating Hand & Wrist Injuries

Treatment for hand and wrist injuries after a car accident begins with an accurate diagnosis. A medical professional can complete X-rays or an MRI scan to diagnose the injury. Once accurately diagnosed, a few common treatments for a hand and wrist injury include:

     •   Physiotherapy: This involves specific exercises targeted towards strengthening your wrist muscles. Physiotherapy
     •   Massage: Therapeutic massages can relieve tension in the muscles around the injured area and promote better blood circulation. Massage
     •   Heat Therapy: Applying heat to the affected area can soothe stiff joints and relax muscles. Heat Therapy
     •   Cold Therapy: Using ice packs can reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. Cold Therapy

After an accident, one of the most important steps to take is to visit a doctor, even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured. Some injuries may be delayed and put you at risk of permanent damage if they aren’t caught early. If you’re experiencing hand or wrist pain after a car accident, visit a hospital or your primary physician to discover if you’ve been injured and begin a treatment protocol.

The experienced medical team at Shingle Creek Medical Group can accurately diagnose any hand or wrist injuries from your auto accident. We use advanced imaging technology to detect even slight trauma you may have suffered. Our compassionate doctors will then craft a tailored treatment plan using both medical.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

After treatments from Shingle Creek Medical Group, recovery and rehabilitation are essential to regaining full wrist function. Your physical therapist will provide customized exercises to restore strength and flexibility. They’ll advise task modifications to avoid wrist strain. Self-care like nutrition, hydration and rest boosts overall wellness and healing. With dedication and support from our team, you’ll overcome this injury hurdle.

Experienced Pain Management

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for experienced pain management strategies to alleviate your wrist pain. We understand how debilitating it can be, impacting not only your work but also the joy of serving others.
Here are four tested and trusted methods we endorse:
   •  Heat Therapy: Warm compresses or a heated towel can soothe stiffness and improve mobility. Heat Therapy
   •  Physical Therapy: This involves targeted exercises under professional supervision to build strength and flexibility. Physical Therapy
   •  Pain Medication: Over-the-counter drugs like Ibuprofen can provide temporary relief. Pain Medication
   •  Ergonomic Adjustments: Modifying your workspace or adjusting routines that exacerbate pain can make a significant difference. Ergonomic Adjustments