How to Heal a Torn Wrist Ligament

Ligaments help hold wrist bones in alignment. A partial or complete tear can cause pain, swelling, bruising, clicking, reduced grip, or a feeling that the wrist is unstable. The wrist contains several ligaments, and a fracture or tendon injury can produce similar symptoms; an examination is needed to guide treatment.

Some injuries are managed with support and rehabilitation. More substantial tears may need specialist review, imaging, or another treatment approach. Avoid deciding the injury is minor based only on how the wrist looks.

Stop painful loading, keep the hand elevated when swollen, and use a cloth-wrapped cold pack briefly for comfort. A clinician may recommend [Splinting](/treatments/trauma-and-fracture-care/splinting/) to limit movement while tissues are assessed. Keep fingers moving unless a clinician tells you not to.

Do not force stretching, test grip strength repeatedly, or return to contact sport while the wrist is unstable or painful. [Physiotherapy](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/physiotherapy/) can progress mobility, strength, coordination, and task-specific loading. [Kinesiology Taping](/treatments/physiotherapy-and-rehabilitation/kinesiology-taping/) may be considered as an adjunct, not a substitute for assessment.

Arrange prompt care after a forceful injury, with severe pain, visible deformity, marked swelling, inability to grip, or a persistent clicking or unstable feeling. Numbness, tingling, a cold hand, or unusual finger colour needs urgent attention. Seek follow-up when pain, weakness, or restricted movement is not improving with the advised plan.

Ask which ligament may be involved, whether imaging or specialist review is needed, and how long the wrist should be protected. Ask when rehabilitation should begin, which loads are acceptable, and what return-to-work or return-to-sport milestones to use.