What is a sprain? A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments
are the connective tissues that connect and stabilize one bone
to another bone; they could be thought of as very strong tape
that holds the bones together at a joint (see Figure 1). The
degree of ligament injury may vary over a wide range of
severity. Sprains are generally classified into three types:
Grade I – stable injury to a ligament; Grade II – partial
tearing/stretching; and Grade III – complete tear of the
ligament, either within the mid-portion of the ligament, or as
an avulsion (“pulling away”) from its attachment into bone. A
sprain may upset the normal coordinated movements of the wrist
bones resulting in persistent stiffness, pain, swelling, and
possible instability. How do wrist sprains occur? A sprain of
one or multiple wrist ligaments occurs when there is excessive
loading or force transmitted across the wrist. These frequently
occur as the result of a fall forwards or backwards onto an
outstretched hand. Force may be applied in