General Guideline Principles for Wrist Sprains

for workers compensation patients

The New York State workers compensation board has developed these guidelines to help physicians, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment for Wrist Sprains.

These Workers Compensation Board guidelines are intended to assist healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the appropriate level of care for their patients with ankle and foot disorders.

The guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement or professional experience. The ultimate decision regarding care must be made by the patient in consultation with his or her healthcare provider.

Wrist Sprains of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are the most common causes of wrist sprains, which are partially or completely damaged ligaments. When a patient has pain following trauma but no fracture, a wrist sprain is frequently a diagnostic of exclusion. Sprains can also happen in addition to fractures.

Diagnostic Studies of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries

  1. Diagnostic Studies of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries X-Rays

    Diagnostic Studies of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries X-Rays are recommended to ascertain the presence of a fracture, especially in individuals who have scaphoid discomfort or scaphoid tubercle tenderness.

     

  2. CT Scan

    CT Scan is recommended to establish whether a fracture is present, especially in individuals who have negative x-rays but scaphoid discomfort or scaphoid tubercle tenderness.

     

  3. MR Arthrograph

    MR Arthrography is recommended for people whose wrist sprains don’t go well after about 6 weeks of treatment

    Rationale for Recommendations – When diagnosing ligamentous problems including scapholunate, lunotriquetral, and TFCC tears that could be mistaken for mild sprains, MR arthrograms are extremely useful. As a result, MR arthrography is advised after around 6 weeks of clinical therapy if the patient has not improved.

Medications of Wrist Sprains

Ibuprofen, naproxen, or other older generation NSAIDs are recommended as first-line medications for the majority of patients. Although most evidence suggests that acetaminophen (or the analogue paracetamol) is marginally less effective than NSAIDs.

It may be a reasonable alternative for patients who are not candidates for NSAIDs. There is evidence that NSAIDs are as effective as opioids (including tramadol) for pain relief while being less impairing.

  1. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treatment of Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Wrist Sprain

    Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treatment of Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Wrist Sprain are recommended for acute, subacute, or chronic wrist sprain treatment

    Indications – NSAIDs are recommended for the treatment of acute, subacute, or chronic wrist sprain. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may be adequate and should be tried first.

    Frequency/Duration: For many patients, using it as needed may be appropriate.

    Indications for Discontinuation: Resolution of symptoms, lack of efficacy, or development of adverse effects, that necessitate discontinuation.

     

  2. NSAIDs for Patients at High Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

    NSAIDs for Patients at High Risk of Gastrointestinal Bleeding is recommended Misoprostol, sucralfate, histamine Type 2 receptor blockers, and proton pump inhibitors should be used concurrently in patients at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

    Indications: Cytoprotective medications should be considered for patients with a high-risk factor profile who also have indications for NSAIDs, especially if long-term treatment is planned. Patients at risk include those who have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, the elderly, diabetics, and cigarette smokers.

    Frequency/Dose/Duration: Misoprostol, sucralfate, and H2 blockers are all recommended. Dose and frequency are determined by the manufacturer. There are no significant differences in efficacy for preventing gastrointestinal bleeding, according to most experts.

    Indications for Discontinuation Intolerance, adverse effects, or discontinuation of an NSAID

     

  3. NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects

     

    1. NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects is recommended Acetaminophen or aspirin as first-line therapy appears to be the least risky in terms of cardiovascular side effects.

       

    2. NSAIDs for Patients at Risk for Cardiovascular Adverse Effects is recommended If necessary, non-selective NSAIDs are preferred over COX-2 specific drugs. To reduce the possibility of the NSAID counteracting the beneficial effects of aspirin in patients receiving low-dose aspirin for primary or secondary cardiovascular disease prevention, the NSAID should be taken at least 30 minutes after or 8 hours before the daily aspirin.

       

  4. Acetaminophen for Treatment of Wrist Sprain Pain

    Acetaminophen for Treatment of Wrist Sprain Pain is recommended for the treatment of wrist sprain pain, especially in patients who cannot take NSAIDs.

    Indications: All patients suffering from wrist sprain pain, whether acute, subacute, chronic, or post-operative

    Dose/Frequency: According to the manufacturer’s recommendations; may be used as needed. When taken in excess of four grams per day, there is evidence of hepatic toxicity.

    Indications for Discontinuation: Pain relief, adverse effects, or intolerance

     

  5. Opioids of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries

    Opioids of Hand, Wrist and Forearm Injuries is recommended for the treatment of a subset of patients suffering from severe wrist sprains

    Indications − Patients with severe pain from severe wrist sprains who have not received adequate relief from other treatments, including acetaminophen and NSAIDs, or who are contraindicated for NSAIDs, should be considered. Because the duration of treatment for wrist sprains is usually limited, opioids should be used with extreme caution, and only a small number of doses should be prescribed.

Rehabilitation of Wrist Sprains

Rehabilitation (supervised formal therapy) required as a result of a work-related injury should focus on restoring functional ability required to meet the patient’s daily and work activities and return to work, with the goal of restoring the injured worker to pre-injury status to the greatest extent possible.

Active therapy necessitates a patient’s internal effort to complete a specific exercise or task. Passive therapy refers to interventions that do not require the patient to exert any effort, but instead rely on modalities provided by a therapist.

In general, passive interventions are viewed as a way to facilitate progress in an active therapy programme while also achieving objective functional gains. The importance of active interventions should be emphasised over passive interventions.

In order to maintain improvement levels, the patient should be instructed to continue both active and passive therapies at home as an extension of the treatment process.

To facilitate functional gains, assistive devices may be included as an adjunctive measure in the rehabilitation plan.

Therapy – Active of Wrist Sprains

Therapeutic Exercise

Therapeutic Exercise – for treatment of moderate or severe acute or subacute wrist sprains.

Therapeutic Exercise – for treatment of moderate or severe acute or subacute wrist sprains is recommended for the treatment of mild to severe Wrist sprains, either acute or subacute.

Frequency/Dose/Duration – Total visits may be as few as two to three for patients with mild functional deficits or as many as 12 to 15 for patients with more severe deficits who have documented ongoing objective functional improvement.

More than 12 to 15 visits may be indicated if there is documentation of functional improvement toward specific objective functional goals (e.g., increased grip strength, key pinch strength, range of motion, advancing ability to perform work activities) when there are ongoing functional deficits.

A home exercise programme should be developed and performed in conjunction with therapy as part of the rehabilitation plan.

Therapy – Passive of Wrist Sprains

  1. Ice – Self-application

    Ice – Self-application is recommended for the treatment of severe wrist sprains

     

  2. Heat – Self-application

    Heat – Self-application is recommended for the treatment of a severe wrist sprain

     

  3. Mobilization / Immobilization

    Mobilization / Immobilization is recommended Splinting is used to treat moderate to severe acute or subacute wrist sprains.

Surgery of Wrist Sprains

Surgery of Wrist Sprains

Surgery of Wrist Sprains is not recommended in the absence of a repairable defect, for the treatment of acute or subacute wrist sprain

What our office can do if you have workers compensation injuries

We have the experience to help you with their workers compensation injuries. We understand what you are going through and will meet your medical needs and follow the guidelines set by the New York State Workers Compensation Board.

We understand the importance of your workers compensation cases. Let us help you navigate through the maze of dealing with the workers compensation insurance company and your employer.

We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us so we will do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible.

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21:23 25 Feb 23
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21:28 23 May 22
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23:31 19 May 22
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17:39 18 May 22
The staff is very professional and helpful. Dr. Vaksha is excellent. He takes time to listen and offer suggestions to help you get better. I’m very thankful and happy to be a patient here at Complete Orthopedics.
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19:54 16 May 22
Dr.Karkare is the best. He listens to everything and explains everything I recommend him to everyone. I am so happy he is my doctor.
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00:48 13 May 22
Dr.Kuo is amazing very attentive,caring,and passionate and staff is awsome too.Thank you for everything Dr.kuo.
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23:17 12 May 22
I was in a car accident November 1 I was referred to Dr. Vaksha For shoulder surgery . I he was amazing he made me feel very comfortable and explained everything that was going to happen from surgery all the way through my physical therapy highly recommend Dr. Vaksha
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19:37 09 May 22
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19:54 05 May 22
Scheduling my appointment was quick and easy. The staff was super friendly and down to earth. I was seen on time. The appropriate test, “x-rays” were taken before the conversation with doctor, something I really liked, test for analysis and conversation was done upfront. Dr. V had a great personality and was no BS, straight forward diagnosis and a play on next steps. I am happy I found them and would refer them to friends and family.
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00:46 03 May 22
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20:01 28 Apr 22
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03:25 09 Apr 22
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22:45 05 Apr 22
This was my 1st time breaking something in my 27 years on this planet. I was recommended here by a friend Dr. Vashka helped me from day 1 and still continues to check in on me and my healing ankle. Would highly recommend
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16:06 01 Apr 22
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Emily B
02:49 24 Mar 22
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14:53 03 Mar 22
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Bebe Doyle
01:24 23 Feb 22
After suffering from a severe ankle injury Dr. V was able to help me heal and return back to work completely to a job where I stand for 12 hours a day. The office is very clean and I appreciated the reminders of my appointments via phone call and through text. The patient portal made it easy for me to access all my documents including work notes. The office staff is wonderful and Rebecca was able to schedule me with a busy schedule and awesome at answering all of my questions including referring me to a great physical therapy office. I highly recommend this office to anyone who’s looking for knowledgeable and kind orthopedic office.
Elizabeth Birchwell
21:31 28 Jan 21
The staff here are great, I was seen at the time of my appointment and was well taken care of!
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18:14 07 Jan 21
They are an excellent practice. The front and back office people are amazing and so helpful. Rebecca is such a kind and understanding person. I had an issue with paperwork and she cleared it right up. Dr. Karkare is very knowledgeable, helpful, and caring.
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19:31 18 Nov 20
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18:17 17 Nov 20
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04:44 17 Nov 20
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Jack Harris
14:36 06 Nov 20
In the year of 2018 I was referred to Dr. Karkare because I was experiencing severe knee joint pain. After exhausting physical therapy and trying to labor through the pain, I had to make a quality of life decision. Total knee replacement was the only viable option. Dr. Karkare made my decision easy as he walked me through the whole process from surgery to recovery.On 12/13/19 ( Friday the 13th) I enter Lenox Hill Hospital in great hands. From the time I entered Dr. Karkare’s office for the first time until now, his staff has been amazing. Andrea the medical coordinator walked me through all the paper work and necessary preparations for the surgery. Courtesy and kind would be an understatement. Dr. Karkare went over and beyond from the wellness checks and phone calls all to assure me that I was important to him. This was the right decision no pain and no limp. Complete Orthopedics should be your choice!
Kenneth Randolph
22:18 25 Sep 20
Dr. Vadshka has a great bedside manner. He really takes his time and explains treatment options.
T Lee
12:33 09 Sep 20
I suffered with pain in both knees for years. My orthopedic doctor kept recommending knee replacement . I fought it for years, as I was just afraid. When I had no choice and could barely walk , it was recommended I see Dr. Karkare. We set up a consultation and my wife and I left his office feeling totally confident and comfortable with moving ahead with the surgery. He explained everything to us, and the office staff set everything up for us and made the process easy. So about one month after our initial meeting I had the first knee done. I was up walking mere hours after the surgery, and on the workout machines the next morning. I went home two days after the surgery, and yes walked my daughter down the aisle at her wedding only one week after the surgery without even a cane! Three months later I had the other knee done and went home the very next day. Dr. Karkare put my fears to rest . I would highly recommend him. His expertise gave me my life back. Thank you Dr. Karkare.SincerelyVito Congro
Ethel Congo
23:58 12 Aug 20
Dr Rhodin really cares for his patients. When I see him he makes sure to review my progress in detail.
Micki Cahill
15:03 08 Feb 20
My mom had a total hip replacement by dr karkare. He is the BEST orthopedic doctor.Her incision is almost invisable.She is going back for her other hip next week. The office staff is the best, love Andrea.You wont find a better doctor.
Ryan Brigandi
21:06 13 Jul 18
There is no better Orthopedic doctor you will find. Broke my ankle three places on a Saturday. Called Dr. Karkare. He had is team ready at the hospital and operated on me within 6 hours after my injury. Now After 3 months of great care by him and his staff, I am walking to normalcy.
Spacecom Tel
04:13 23 Mar 18
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I am fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery, metabolic bone disorders, sports medicine and trauma. I specialize in total hip and knee replacements, and I have personally written most of the content on this page.

You can see my full CV at my profile page.