How to tell if your wrist is sprained or fractured
Wrist pain is never easy, but not knowing how serious the injury is can make it harder for you to access the right level of treatment. It can be helpful to understand the key differences between different kinds of wrist injuries so you can get the best form of medical attention sooner rather than later.
In this article, we discuss the differences between sprained and fractured wrists.
What is the difference between a wrist sprain and a wrist fracture?
Sometimes, terms for injuries can overlap. This is the case with broken and fractured wrists, since they’re actually the same thing. But other terms, like fracture and sprain, have different meanings which describe separate injury types.
To understand the difference between a wrist sprain and a wrist fracture, first you need to understand the basics of wrist anatomy. There is no such thing as a wrist bone. In fact, the wrist is what we call the joining point where the radius bone of the forearm meets the bones of the hand. These bones are connected by rope-like tissues called ligaments which can stretch and flex to allow the movement of the joint.
‘Wrist sprain’ is the term doctors use to describe a painful condition where the ligaments of the wrist have developed microscopic tears. This usually happens as a result of over-stretching, twisting or a forceful impact such as a fall. The most common cause of a wrist sprain is falling onto an outstretched hand.
In a wrist sprain, no other tissues of the body (for example, the bones) are affected. A genuine wrist sprain can often be treated at home without seeing a doctor by using the PRICE method to support the injury. Painkillers such as Naprosyn® Pain Relief can be used to ease pain if needed.
A wrist fracture, in comparison, is where one or more of the bones that form the wrist (remember, these are the bones of the hand and forearm) are broken. Breaks can vary in severity depending on the injury that caused them.
Compared to a sprain, a fractured wrist is a more serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible. This involves putting any broken bones back into position and applying splints to ensure the bones stay still while healing. Severe fractures may need surgery, and it usually takes six to 12 weeks to complete the majority of the healing process.
So, wrist sprains:
- Affect the ligaments of the wrist joint
- Should be rested for two to eight weeks
- Can often be treated at home.
In contrast, a wrist fracture:
- Affects one or more of the bones of the hand or the lower forearm
- Takes at least six to 12 weeks to heal
- Needs to be assessed at a hospital or minor injury unit (check your local MIU treats fractures first).
Since a fractured wrist is more serious than a sprain and requires medical attention as soon as possible, it’s helpful to know some tips and tricks that can differentiate between the two.
How to tell if your wrist is fractured or sprained
Depending on the severity of your injury, it can be hard to tell if it is a sprain or a fracture.
If your wrist is sprained, you may notice:
- Pain or tenderness in the wrist joint
- Weakness in the affected area - meaning it’s difficult to use your wrist normally or put any weight on the injury
- Your wrist is swollen and may also be bruised.
The symptoms of a fractured wrist include:
- A cracking sound at the time of injury
- Pain in the affected area
- Swelling around the wrist joint
- Bruising or discolouration of the skin
- Difficulty moving the joint - e.g. to wave your hand.
In very severe fractures, your wrist may noticeably sit at a different angle to usual or you may feel numbness or tingling in your wrist or hand. You may even have an open wound where the bone sticks out of the skin. In these kinds of fractures, you should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of sprains and fractures are similar and it can be hard to tell the difference , especially if you’ve never experienced either injury before! To make it more difficult, there’s also the possibility you might have dislocated your wrist instead.
If you have any doubts about how serious your injury is, go to A&E so your wrist can be checked by a medical professional. An X-ray is the most reliable way to tell if your wrist is broken or badly sprained, so doctors can recommend the most appropriate form of treatment.
Naprosyn® Pain Relief 250 mg gastro-resistant tablets. Naproxen. For the relief of short-term muscle and joint pain. Always read the label.
Resources:
https://www.assh.org/handcare/blog/5-signs-of-a-wrist-fracture
Erwin J, Varacallo MA. Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Wrist Joint. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534779/
https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/1018/wrist_sprains
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/