An accident at work or home can cause a hard blow to your hand or wrist. Severe crushing or cutting injuries can also occur.

Your hands are the first line of defense to protect the rest of your body when you fall. The force on your hands and wrists when you catch yourself can cause an injury.

Sporting activities are a common cause of hand and wrist injuries, often due to extreme bending or high-energy impact.

Fields of work that involve manual labor, machinery, sharp objects or repetitive use can increase your risk of hand and wrist trauma.

Past trauma to your hand or wrist can increase your chances of another injury.

Hand or wrist injuries can occur in nearly any sport, especially those involving contact, catching and gripping.

Age-related changes in bone density, joint flexibility and muscle strength can make injuries more likely. The risk of falls also increases with age.

Children are at increased risk because of their high activity levels, growing bones and developing coordination. Young adults are also more prone to injury due to physically demanding work, sports participation and risky behaviors.

Being tired, not paying attention and using alcohol and drugs can make accidents more likely.

An arthrogram is a specialized test to evaluate a joint, such as your wrist. It involves injecting dye into your joint, which is visible to X-ray, MRI or CT imaging.

A CT scan uses X-rays taken from many angles to produce cross-sectional images. We use this test to assess the bones and joints of your hand and wrist.

These tests measure electrical activity in the muscles and nerves to detect nerve damage.

MRI scans use strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of internal structures. They are especially useful for assessing your muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves.

X-rays of your hand and wrist can show fractures and dislocated joints.

RICE includes strategies to reduce inflammation and promote healing. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. It means you avoid moving the injured area, apply ice to it for 20 minutes at a time, wrap it tightly in a bandage and raise it higher than the level of your heart.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) reduce pain and swelling.

A splint is a removable brace that gives your hand and wrist support but limits their movement. A cast keeps the injured area from moving at all and stays on for longer than a splint does.

Physical therapists provide in-depth evaluations and design personalized plans to improve your strength, flexibility and movement. We may recommend physical therapy to treat a hand or wrist injury or to help you heal after surgery.

Surgery can help align a dislocated bone or repair a torn ligament or tendon. For a fracture, we may insert pins, screws and plates to stabilize your bone. Our hand surgeons also use advanced microvascular procedures to repair nerves and blood vessels.

Keep floors clear, ensure good lighting and install handrails to prevent falls.

Get enough calcium and vitamin D and stay physically active, especially with weight-bearing exercises.

You can’t always prevent hand and wrist injuries, but these strategies can help.

Keep floors clear, ensure good lighting and install handrails to prevent falls.

Get enough calcium and vitamin D and stay physically active, especially with weight-bearing exercises.

Avoid working with tools or machinery or participating in sports when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Use gloves and wrist protection during sports and other high-risk activities.

Stretch the muscles in your hands, wrists and arms before sports and other strenuous activities.