What is the Difference Between a Wrist Sprain and a Dislocation?

The primary difference between a wrist sprain and a wrist dislocation is that a sprain involves damage to the ligaments of the wrist, while a dislocation involves displacement of the bones that make up the wrist joint.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Wrist Sprain:

• Definition: A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligaments, the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to each other. Sprains occur when these ligaments are stretched or torn.
• Cause: Typically caused by a sudden impact or twisting motion, such as falling onto an outstretched hand.
• Severity: Sprains are classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of ligament damage:
  • Mild (Grade 1): Ligaments are stretched, but not torn.
  • Moderate (Grade 2): Ligaments are partially torn.
  • Severe (Grade 3): Ligaments are completely torn.
• Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion.

Wrist Dislocation:

• Definition: A wrist dislocation occurs when one or more of the bones in the wrist joint are forced out of their normal position. This is a more serious injury than a sprain.
• Cause: High-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a severe fall.
• Mechanism: When a bone dislocates it becomes displaced or misaligned, making the joint unstable and affecting the surrounding soft tissue.
• Symptoms: Severe pain, obvious deformity, inability to move the wrist, numbness or tingling in the hand and fingers. Dislocations often also involve sprains and other soft tissue injuries.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

In summary, a wrist sprain is a ligament injury, while a wrist dislocation involves the bones of the wrist coming out of alignment. Dislocation is more severe and involves displacement or misalignment of the bones, affecting the surrounding soft tissue.