Pain in the center of the wrist that lingers after a crash
Through the eyes of a hand surgeon and a hand therapist
In the middle of your wrist, the scapholunate ligament ties two small bones together. A hard backward bend of the wrist can stretch or tear it. Bracing your hand during a crash is one way that happens. You may feel pain on the back of the wrist. Swelling, popping and weakness can follow. So can pain when you push up from a chair. [1]
Other injuries can cause the same signs. Still, symptoms that don’t go away need a doctor’s review. An unstable tear left untreated can change how the wrist bones move. It may also contribute to arthritis. [1]
Ask how your doctor will test the wrist's stability
Explain how your wrist took the force and which movements bring the pain back. The exam checks the sore spot and compares your two wrists. X rays show where the bones sit. They can’t show the ligament itself. If the diagnosis is still unclear, your doctor may order special X ray views, an MRI or another test. [1]
Ask whether the bones are staying lined up. Find out if you could have another fracture or ligament injury. [1]
Treatment depends on the tear
For a milder injury, early protection in a splint or cast may be a reasonable choice. A complete or unstable tear may lead to a talk about repairing or rebuilding the ligament. The choice depends on the injury and how long it has been since the crash. Bone alignment and what your days demand matter too. [1]
Pain relief by itself won’t correct an unstable alignment. Therapy may help with stiffness after a splint, cast or surgery. It should follow your hand surgeon’s plan. [1]
When to get checked sooner
Get urgent care if your hand turns cold or pale or swelling worsens fast. New numbness in your fingers needs urgent care too. Maybe what seemed like a sprain has left lasting pain or popping in the center of the wrist. If so, follow up with a hand specialist. [1]
Questions about your wrist ligament
- Is there a scapholunate gap, a widened space between the two bones, or another sign of instability?
- Would more imaging change my treatment?
- What can I safely lift or push with this wrist?
Note what sets off the pain
Before your visit, write down exactly where it hurts. Note which movement brings on the pain. [1]
Sources and further reading
This general overview reflects the views of hand surgery and hand therapy. Wrist pain has many possible causes. A specialist’s exam can help show whether a ligament is torn or the wrist is unstable.
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