The
normal reaction when you feel yourself falling is to reach out with
your hand to stop yourself. Unfortunately, this reflexive action
typically leads to falling onto your outstretched hand, which is
referred to as a FOOSH (fall on outstretched hand) injury.
The
wrist is a complex part of your body. If you've suffered a FOOSH
injury at your workplace, you may miss work and even require special
medical attention. Below are some of the most common wrist injuries
from slip and fall accidents.
Wrist
Sprain
A
FOOSH injury can result in a sprained wrist. The wrist probably
hyperextended when you hit the ground. This twisting caused the
ligaments that support the tiny wristbones to stretch beyond their
limits. Sometimes the ligaments even tear.
Wrist
sprains come in three grades, ranging from mild to severe. The
severity depends on whether the ligaments are torn. The symptoms of a
sprained wrist are similar to a sprained ankle — swelling,
bruising, and tenderness. You may feel popping or tearing inside the
joint, which likely means the tendon has torn.
With
mild and moderate sprains, icing the wrist and using a compression
bandage to reduce the swelling is usually enough. You may also need
to wear a wrist brace for a while, and your doctor might recommend
some stretching. In severe cases, you may need surgery to reattach
the ligament to the bone.
Avulsion
Fracture
A
particularly severe case of a wrist sprain can result in an avulsion
fracture. In this case, the force of the hyperextension causes the
tendon to separate with such violence that the tendon takes a chip of
the bone with it.
Symptoms
of an avulsion fracture include those for a sprained wrist, but the
effects are more intense. You'll feel sharp pain in the wrist, and
movement of the joint will be very limited. You'll probably feel
instability in the area and, perhaps, even a loss of function.
Luckily,
avulsion fractures usually heal on their own without surgical
intervention. Typically, immobilizing the wrist will be sufficient.
Your doctor may suggest exercises that help strengthen the
surrounding muscles and improve your range of motion.
Scaphoid
Fracture
The
most common fracture from a FOOSH injury is of the scaphoid bone,
which is a small, boat-shaped bone located near your thumb. The
scaphoid is responsible for motion and stability in the wrist.
With
a scaphoid fracture, the pain and swelling will be localized to the
area just below your thumb. If the fracture is mild, you may mistake
it for a sprain. However, the symptoms can persist long after the
injury occurs. The most common treatment for a scaphoid fracture is
wearing a cast for several weeks. If you have displaced bones, you
may need surgery.
For
severe scaphoid fractures, you could have a large list of
restrictions even after the fracture heals. These restrictions may
limit your capability at work.
Thumb
Sprain
Even
if your slip and fall doesn't result in a fracture, the accident will
still likely impact the area around the thumb. In this case, the
ulnar collateral ligament, which is specific to the thumb, can
hyperextend or even tear. You'll feel pain and swelling as well as a
loss of mobility in your thumb.
Treatment
for a thumb sprain is the same as for a wrist sprain. However, attend
well to the sprain in case it does turn out to be a scaphoid
fracture. Indeed, if you at all suspect a break, have your doctor do
an X-ray.
If
you suffer a FOOSH injury from a slip and fall at work, take careful
note of all required treatments as well as time off and work
restrictions. You may be eligible for workers' compensation. Contact
the Law
Offices of David A. Helfand, P.A.,
for more information about your case.
