Wrist injury after a fall: sprain or fracture?

This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency

Wrist injury after a fall: sprain or fracture?

Wrist injuries are common after a fall, sports injury, workplace injury, bike or scooter accident, or a fall onto an outstretched hand. Some wrist injuries are simple sprains that improve with support and time. Others may involve a broken bone, dislocation, ligament injury, tendon injury, or injury to one of the small bones in the wrist.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between a sprain and a fracture without an assessment. Some wrist fractures are obvious, but others can look like a sprain at first. Pain on the thumb side of the wrist after a fall can sometimes be a sign of a scaphoid injury, which may need careful assessment and follow-up.

Shorecare can assess wrist and hand injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, sports injuries, falls and workplace injuries. When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, which means imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

Seek urgent help immediately if:

• There has been major trauma, such as a serious fall, vehicle accident, or crush injury.

• The person is very unwell, faint, confused, drowsy, pale, clammy, or has severe pain.

• There is a bone sticking out, a badly deformed wrist or hand, or heavy bleeding.

• The hand or fingers are cold, blue, numb, very weak, or the pain is rapidly worsening.

A wrist injury should be checked if:

• You have significant pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or weakness.

• You cannot use the wrist, hand or fingers normally.

• You have pain after falling onto an outstretched hand.

• You have pain on the thumb side of the wrist.

• You have difficulty gripping, lifting, twisting, or pushing through the wrist.

• The wrist feels unstable, weak, or very painful with movement.

• A child is refusing to use their hand or wrist after a fall or injury.

• There is a wound, puncture injury, bite, or concern about something being stuck in the skin.

• The pain or swelling is not improving after a day or two, or symptoms are getting worse.

Is it a wrist sprain or a broken wrist?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support a joint. A fracture is a broken bone. Both can cause pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty using the wrist, so it is not always easy to tell the difference.

Some broken wrists cause obvious deformity or severe pain. Others can look like a sprain at first. An assessment can help decide whether an X-ray is needed and what treatment is best.

Can I move my wrist if it is broken?

Sometimes, yes. Being able to move your wrist or fingers does not always rule out a fracture. Some people can still move the wrist despite having a broken bone, especially if the fracture is small or not displaced.

If you have significant pain, swelling, bruising, thumb-side wrist pain, weakness, or difficulty using the hand normally, it is sensible to get checked.

Why does thumb-side wrist pain matter?

Pain on the thumb side of the wrist after a fall can sometimes involve the scaphoid, one of the small bones in the wrist. Scaphoid injuries can be easy to miss early because swelling or deformity may not be obvious.

If the story sounds concerning, a clinician may recommend X-ray, splinting, follow-up imaging, or specialist review, even if the first assessment is not straightforward.

What should I do before coming in?

• Rest the wrist and hand.

• Remove rings, watches or tight jewellery before swelling increases.

• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for short periods.

• Keep the hand raised if possible, and use a sling or support if this is comfortable.

• Avoid lifting, gripping, pushing, or playing sport with the injured wrist.

• Use simple pain relief like paracetamol if you can take it safely.

• Do not force the wrist to move if it is very painful.

How Shorecare can help

Shorecare can assess wrist and hand injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, sports injuries, workplace injuries and ACC injuries.

Depending on the injury, care may include clinical assessment, X-ray through our radiology partner Canopy Imaging, pain relief advice, strapping, splinting, plastering, ACC documentation, referral for hospital or specialist care, or follow-up orthopaedic/fracture clinic review.

When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, so imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

If the injury is more serious, Shorecare can assess and stabilise you and arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.

If you are unsure whether your wrist injury is a sprain or fracture, we are here to provide a full assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come to Shorecare for a wrist injury?

Yes. Shorecare can assess wrist injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, falls, sports injuries and workplace injuries.

Do I need an X-ray for a wrist injury?

Not every wrist injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will assess what happened, where the pain is, how the wrist and hand are moving, and whether there are signs of fracture or another significant injury.

Can I have a broken wrist and still move it?

Sometimes, yes. Being able to move the wrist or fingers does not always rule out a fracture. If pain, swelling, bruising, weakness, or thumb-side wrist pain is significant, you should get it checked.

What is a scaphoid injury?

The scaphoid is one of the small bones on the thumb side of the wrist. It can be injured after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Scaphoid injuries may need careful assessment, splinting, follow-up imaging, or specialist review.

Can Shorecare help with ACC wrist injuries?

Yes. Shorecare can assess and treat ACC wrist injuries, including falls, sports injuries, workplace injuries, sprains and suspected fractures.

When should a wrist injury go to hospital?

Call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if there has been major trauma, a bone is sticking out, there is heavy bleeding, the hand or fingers are cold, blue or numb, the pain is rapidly worsening, or the person is very unwell.