Understand The Importance Of Addressing a Wrist & Hand Injuries For a Better Recovery
Even as traffic fatalities remain alarmingly high—over 44,000 preventable deaths in 2024, according to the National Safety Council—many car accidents result in non-fatal yet impactful injuries. Among the most overlooked are wrist and hand injuries, which can disrupt daily life long after the crash itself. While spinal and neck trauma often steal the spotlight, damage to your wrists or hands from bracing against the steering wheel or the force of airbag deployment is just as important to address.
These injuries can be subtle at first, but over time they may evolve into chronic pain or limited mobility! If you’ve been in a collision and your wrist feels off, even slightly, it’s worth understanding what could be going on inside your body and how chiropractic care can support your recovery.
Common Causes Of Car Accident-Related Hand Injuries
During a car crash, the body is thrown forward with tremendous force. Even at low speeds, the sudden stop can result in awkward positioning or impact that strains your hands and wrists. Here are a few scenarios that can lead to wrist injuries:
Bracing against the steering wheel during impact.
- Having your hand trapped or twisted.
- Airbag deployment.
- Using your arms to protect yourself during a collision.
Any of these situations can lead to damage in bones, ligaments, muscles, or tendons. Sometimes more than one injury occurs at once.
For instance, seeking auto accident medical care can help diagnose the extent of the injury and provide targeted treatment to speed up recovery.
The Anatomy: How To Figure Out What’s Actually Hurting You
Wrist and hand injuries can be confusing. The pain may radiate or change locations depending on the movement. To understand what’s going on, it helps to have a basic grasp of the structures involved.
The Anatomy Of The Hand
The human hand contains 27 bones: 14 phalanges (fingers), 5 metacarpal bones (palm), and 8 carpal bones that form the wrist joint. These are held together and moved by an intricate network of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Damage to any of these components can lead to pain, stiffness, or loss of function.
The Anatomy Of The Wrist
The wrist is a complex hinge that connects the hand to the forearm. It includes the radius and ulna (forearm bones) and eight small carpal bones, supported by tendons and ligaments. A small misalignment or strain in any of these can disrupt your ability to grip, twist, or lift objects comfortably.
Symptoms You Might Experience With a Hand Injury After a Car Accident
Some symptoms are immediate, while others can take days or even weeks to show up. If you’ve been in a car crash and notice any of the following, it’s worth seeking medical attention, preferably from a car accident chiropractor who understands the nuances of musculoskeletal trauma:
- Sharp or dull wrist pain, especially when moving your hand.
- Swelling, bruising, or warmth around the wrist joint.
- Numbness or tingling (which may signal nerve involvement).
- Reduced grip strength.
- Limited range of motion or stiffness.
- A popping or clicking sensation when using the wrist.
Ignoring these symptoms could allow a minor injury to evolve into a long-term problem.
Top Hand & Wrist Injuries Associated With Car Accidents
Here are some of the most frequent hand and wrist injuries people experience after a crash.
Bone Injuries
Fractures are common, particularly in the scaphoid bone of the wrist or the small metacarpals of the hand. These may not always be obvious right away, especially if the break is small. Dislocations, which occur when bones are forced out of alignment, are also frequent. This is especially true in accidents that involve forceful twisting motions.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, and tears are just as serious as bone breaks. Ligaments can overstretch or rupture, leading to joint instability. Tendons may become inflamed (tendinitis) or even tear, particularly if they were already under stress. Nerve compression is another concern, especially when swelling starts to press on surrounding tissues.
How Chiropractic Care Relieves Wrist Pain After a Car Accident
A skilled chiropractor doesn’t just focus on the spine. Many offer full-body care, including treatments for extremities like the wrist. The approach is non-invasive, drug-free, and tailored to promote healing through proper alignment and movement.
Here’s how chiropractic care can address wrist injuries:
- Assessment & Diagnosis: Chiropractors begin with a detailed evaluation, which may include a range of motion tests, palpation, and imaging if needed. This helps determine whether the injury is skeletal, muscular, or neurological.
- Adjustments: Gentle manipulations of the wrist bones can restore alignment, improve blood flow, and reduce nerve pressure.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: Techniques such as massage, myofascial release, or ultrasound therapy help ease muscle tension and promote faster healing.
- Rehabilitation Exercises: Chiropractors may guide you through stretches and strengthening movements to rebuild mobility and prevent further injury.
- Lifestyle Recommendations: Advice on ergonomics, posture, and at-home care can enhance long-term recovery.
In cities like Mesa or Chandler, it’s not uncommon for patients to seek out auto accident chiropractor services for targeted wrist and hand care after a crash. The key is early intervention to avoid worsening damage.
Common Wrist Injuries Chiropractic Care Can Help With
Some of the most frequent wrist and hand issues seen after accidents include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Often triggered by swelling or pressure on the median nerve after trauma.
- TFCC (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex) Tears: Damage to this key wrist structure causes pain and instability.
- Wrist Sprains: These vary in severity, from overstretching to partial or full ligament tears.
- Dislocations or Subluxations: Partial displacements of bones that respond well to manual adjustment.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often from repetitive motion or trauma.
Many individuals who experience hand or wrist pain post-collision may visit doctors without realizing a chiropractor can offer specific, effective care for these types of injuries.
Don’t Let Wrist Pain Hold You Back, Contact Our Chiropractors
It’s easy to brush off hand pain as “no big deal,” especially after the chaos of a car crash. But wrist injuries can make everyday tasks such as typing, driving, or lifting both painful and difficult. Without treatment, the discomfort can persist for months or even become a long-term issue.
That’s why early diagnosis and customized care are crucial. Whether you’re dealing with a recent accident or an injury that just won’t go away, seeking help from emergency car accident chiropractors like us at AZ Crash Doctors can make all the difference.
Our professionals are trained to quickly and effectively assess and treat trauma-related wrist conditions. Contact us!
AZ CRASH DOCTORS
18477 S 186th Way #101
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Tel: 480-618-680
Email: azcrashdoctors@gmail.com
Arizona Car Accident Doctors
1107 S Gilbert Rd UNIT 111
Mesa, AZ 85204
Tel: 480-618-6800
