If you’ve ever experienced a hand sprain, you know how incredibly painful and debilitating it can be. These injuries can occur from various activities, such as sports, work, or home projects.

In this blog, our hand therapists will discuss types of hand sprains, their treatment options, and recovery. We’ll also provide tips on how to get back to your everyday activities as soon as possible!

Types of Hand Sprains

There are three main hand sprains: thumb sprains, finger sprains, and wrist sprains.

  1. The most common type is a thumb sprain, which occurs when the ligaments that support the thumb are stretched or torn.
  2. Finger sprainsare less common but can still be quite painful. These injuries usually occur at the finger’s base, which meets the palm.
  3. Wrist sprainsare the least common type of hand sprain but can be very debilitating if not treated properly.

Prevention Techniques

The best way to prevent a hand sprain is to warm up before any activity that could potentially cause one. Warming up increases blood flow to the muscles and joints, which makes them more flexible and reduces the risk of injury.

It’s also important to stretch regularly, as this can help maintain the range of motion in the joints and prevent stiffness. If you participate in activities that put you at risk for a hand sprain, it’s essential to wear protective gear. This includes gloves, wrist guards, tape or splints.

Treatment Options

If you experience a hand sprain, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The first step is to rest the injured area and apply ice to reduce swelling. You should also avoid using the affected hand as much as possible.

Once the swelling has subsided, you can begin gentle exercises to restore range of motion and strength. Certified hand therapists may also recommend physical therapy in some cases.

Most hand sprains heal within a few weeks with proper treatment. However, some injuries may require surgery to repair torn ligaments or tendons. In most cases, you should be able to return to your normal activities within four to six weeks.

A hand therapist massaging the palm of a patient

Get In Touch With Our Certified Hand Therapists In Edison, NJ!

At Able Hands Rehabilitation, our CHTs offer you cryo-massage, trigger finger therapy, occupational therapy, and hand injury treatment to help relieve the muscle pain you’re experiencing.

We provide services in Old Bridge, Freehold, and Edison. We offer our patients customized plans that serve their individual needs.

Contact us to learn more about the treatments we offer.