Severe Sprain? A Month of Discomfort
I'm a 26-year-old experiencing persistent pain in my right wrist. There’s a noticeable clicking sound when I move my thumb, and my range of motion is quite restricted. Actions that involve twisting, like opening jars or lids, trigger sharp pain, especially during any abrupt movements. Additionally, I’m dealing with swelling and tightness, particularly when I try to make a fist. This stemmed from a fall where I landed on my outstretched hand about a month ago, after which the discomfort escalated. A CT scan revealed a positive ulnar variance, but my primary care physician downplayed this, claiming it's merely a severe sprain and prescribed steroids. I’m puzzled, particularly because the bone structure seems noticeably misaligned. While ice helps reduce the swelling and pain to an extent, I'm left wondering if seeking a second opinion would be prudent. I appreciate any guidance you can provide on this matter.
Answers (1)
7/7/2025, 11:30:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re experiencing significant discomfort in your wrist following your fall, especially with symptoms like pain, clicking, and swelling that persist after a month. This could indicate more than just a severe sprain, given the details you've shared and the findings from your CT scan.
Explanation:
A sprain indicates that ligaments are stretched or torn, while your documented issues, especially with a positive ulnar variance, could suggest that there's more involved—potentially issues with the alignment of bones or even damage to cartilage. The clicking sound and pain during specific movements could suggest possible tendon involvement or joint irritation. Your current treatment with steroids may help reduce inflammation, but it appears your ongoing symptoms warrant further investigation.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms. Note any changes, particularly after certain activities or movements. This can help clarify your condition to any healthcare provider you see next.
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Ice and Elevation: Continue to use ice to manage swelling, especially after activities that provoke pain. Keeping your wrist elevated can also help.
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Limit Activities: Avoid movements that cause pain, especially twisting motions, until further evaluation can be done. This will prevent exacerbation of your symptoms.
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Seek a Second Opinion: Given your ongoing symptoms and the complexity indicated by the CT scan, seeking a second opinion from an orthopedic specialist or a hand surgeon may provide more insights. A thorough clinical examination and possibly more specific imaging (like an MRI) might be needed to rule out any significant structural issues.
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Gentle Range of Motion Exercises: If your pain allows, gently move your wrist through its available range of motion a couple of times daily as tolerated, to prevent stiffness. Avoid any movements that provoke pain.
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Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to manage pain and swelling, provided you have no contraindications to their use.
Taking the steps above should help you better manage your symptoms while addressing your concerns about possible underlying issues. Please feel free to reach out for further clarification on any aspect of your situation.
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